The Summer sun and winds hit my arms, face and back as I walked up and down my front and back yard, checking to see if a  line was crooked, doing it again, and checking the line again. To this day, I can remember how hot, sweaty, and allergy-activating that job of cutting grass in Tuskegee, Alabama was for me as a teenager. It wasn’t a job I necessarily wanted to do. I simply did it because my dad said to. I guess he thought it would build my character. At the time, I couldn’t see how that could be, and yet, because I knew my dad, I continued to do what he had instructed me to do.

Years later I can fondly reflect on those days as being an incredible opportunity for character building. Learning to obey, and honor my fathers requests, directions and rules with precision and [more importantly] a right attitude, were life changing for me.

Teaching me to work hard with a good attitude was the best thing my dad could have ever have done for me. I have taken the concept of hard work and shared it with my friends, coworkers, and other fellow colleagues, and they too have come to understand the character building benefits of working hard.

Whatever work you do, it is absolutely vital to possess a strong work ethic. Being productive and able to produce positive results through your work is a key element of success and satisfaction in this life.

It’s said that you build a backbone two ways. The first way is when you work hard–and it’s true. There aren’t many things more satisfying and character building than knowing you have put in a good day’s work. The second way is when you do something with the right attitude. It’s inevitable that you’ll become a better person.

Now go cut that grass in your life’s front yard. You and I both know it is going to be hard. It will be worth it though. There are so many benefits to working hard. Like my dad’s day would say, “When you work hard, you’ll eat good!”