5 Work Habits From Country Music

Johnny Cash once described country music as, "three chords and the truth." Now, the hard-drinking Man in Black may not have necessarily been talking about work habits, but it turns out country is full of work wisdom.

The value of putting in a solid day's work was a consistent theme of my Southern upbringing. We valued a strong work ethic so much that I spent more than one Christmas morning raking leaves for my grandfather (after presents and breakfast, of course). Like almost anything, the workday is better with a soundtrack, and as a kid mine was country music. Lately (and surprisingly), those lyrics have been coming back to me, providing with much more than just different ways to execute a party in the back of a truck.

Here are five work habits I've learned from country music.

1. Hold True to Your Own Vision

"But you got dreams he'll never take away." — Dolly Parton's "9 to 5"

No matter your boss or the work environment you're in, you can't ever stop dreaming. You have to set goals for yourself and work toward your end dreams. If you're lucky enough, one day you may even get paid to do something you've always dreamed of doing.

2. Work Hard, All Day, Everyday, Repeat

"That's the only way I know, Don't stop 'til everything's gone… Full throttle, wide open, You get tired and you don't show it." — Jason Aldean's "The Only Way I Know"

Every student poised to graduate from college should be required to listen to this before accepting their diploma. Here's what they don't tell you in school about the real world: Everyone is tired, everyone is busy, and no one wants to hear about it. Go to work, work hard, and don't complain about it.

3. A Good Attitude Changes Everything

"I can't wait to get up in the mornin' and do it all over again." — Brooks and Dunn's "Hard Workin' Man"

The takeaway from this is pretty simple: If you have to get up and go to work everyday, you might as well have a good attitude about it. Chances are good that you will spend the majority of your life working a full-time job — try to enjoy it somewhat.

4. Take Time Off

"I cashed my check, cleaned my truck, Put on my hat, forgot about work." — Alan Jackson's "Good Time"

Sometimes, you absolutely have to forget about work. You have to be able to turn off your computer, stop checking your email and relax on occasion. The more you're able to do this, the easier it will be for you to go to work energized and enthused for the task ahead.

5. Keep Things in Perspective

"Have you ever seen a headstone with these words: if only I had spent more time at work." — Billy Ray Cyrus' "Busy Man"

I haven't. And I hope I never do. Remember, a job is a job is a job and there is always another one around the corner especially for someone with a great work ethic!

Have you learned any lessons about work from country music?

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5 Work Habits From Country Music

This post is by Lauren Cowling, managing editor of Country Outfitter Style. She grew up in the South and spent more than one holiday morning doing chores or manual labor. Naturally, she took this work ethic to the Internet where she regularly writes about pop-culture and entertainment. When she’s not watching reality TV Lauren is googling facts about things she’s seen on TV.

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