What if a few powerful words could change the way you approach success, work, and life?
Zig Ziglar was one of the most influential motivational speakers, sales trainers, and authors of his generation. Through his books, seminars, and speeches, he inspired millions of people to believe in their potential and take meaningful action toward their goals.
His advice often focused on practical ideas about motivation, leadership, sales, personal growth, and developing a positive mindset. Even years after his passing, many of his lessons continue to resonate with people looking for encouragement and direction.
Sometimes, the right quote can provide the perspective you need when motivation starts to fade or a challenge feels bigger than you expected. Ziglar’s words offer plenty of those moments.
In this article, you’ll discover 75 Zig Ziglar quotes about leadership, success, motivation, sales, learning, and personal development. Whether you’re looking for a quick boost of inspiration or a fresh perspective on reaching your goals, there’s something here for you.
And don’t forget to download the free Positive Affirmations Cards at the end of the article. They’re a simple way to keep encouraging, positive messages close by throughout your day.
Let’s explore some of Zig Ziglar’s most memorable words of wisdom.
Zig Ziglar Leadership Quotes
- “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.”
- “Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission.”
- “Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”
- “When you encourage others, you in the process are encouraged because you’re making a commitment and difference in that person’s life. Encouragement really does make a difference.”
- “The more you are grateful for what you have the more you will have to be grateful for.”
- “The greatest of all mistakes is to do nothing because you think you can only do a little.”
- “You are what you are and you are where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You change what you are and you change where you are by changing what goes into your mind.”
- “Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart.”
Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart.” – Zig Ziglar
- “A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.”
- “The greatest good we can do for others is not just to share our riches with them, but to reveal theirs.”
- “When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.”
- “The great majority of people are ‘wandering generalities’ rather than ‘meaningful specifics’. The fact is that you can’t hit a target that you can’t see. If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else. You have to have goals.”
- “If you’re sincere, praise is effective. If you’re insincere, it’s manipulative.”
- “It’s not what happens to you that determines how far you will go in life; it is how you handle what happens to you.”
- “You are the most influential person you will talk to all day.”
Zig Ziglar was often called a genius in his field. He started as a salesman, but quickly became a field manager and eventually a supervisor. At that time, he was already speaking at sales training events, inspiring countless salespeople to become successful.
The following success quotes are a sample of how Zig Ziglar fired up his training participants to reach the top.
May these words help you understand what it truly takes to become successful in any aspect of your life.
Zig Ziglar Success Quotes
- “Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.”
- “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”
- “It makes no difference where you go, there you are. And it makes no difference what you have, there’s always more to want. You will never be happy because of what you have until you are happy with who you are.”
- “The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love, and loyalty.”
- “Success must never be measured by how much money you have.”
- “Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.”
- “When you do more than you’re paid for. Eventually, you’ll be paid for more than you do.”
- “Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember – the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”
- “Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life – all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.”
- “Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be. If we do our best, we are a success.”
- “Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.”
Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.” – Zig Ziglar
- “You already have every characteristic necessary for success if you recognize, claim, develop and use them.”
- “Don’t count the things you do, do the things that count.”
- “If you don’t see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner.”
- “Success is dependent upon the glands – sweat glands.”
- “You do not pay the price of success, you enjoy the price of success.”
Zig Ziglar was known for motivating his listeners and readers to action—and he practiced what he preached.
He was tenacious. Publishers rejected his first book, See You at the Top, at least 30 times. But that did not deter him. He never let failure stop him.
Finally, a publisher in Louisiana published the book. It remains in print today, and is one of the most popular self-help books for success.
With the right words, Zig Ziglar knew how to reach an audience. He showed them a vision of how life could be when they gave their best in everything they did.
Many followed his counsel, and they reaped the benefits with more success and happiness in their lives.
May these Zig Ziglar motivational quotes become timely reminders for you to persevere when you’re at a challenging moment in life.
Zig Ziglar Motivational Quotes
- “Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.”
- “Make today worth remembering.”
- “Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully.”
- “Hope is the power that gives a person the confidence to step out and try.”
- “There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.”
- “If standard of living is your major objective, quality of life almost never improves, but if quality of life is your number one objective, your standard of living almost always improves.”
- “F-E-A-R has two meanings: ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours.”
- “Yesterday ended last night.”
- “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”
- “It’s not where you start or even what happens to you along the way that’s important. What is important is that you persevere and never give up on yourself.”
- “Look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion, and up with gratitude.”
- “People do not wander around and then find themselves at the top of Mount Everest.”
- “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
- “Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of going after yours.”
Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of going after yours.”
- “You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.”
- “Try to look at your weakness and convert it into your strength.”
- “Put all excuses aside and remember this: You are capable.”
Are you planning to start a business? Or do you work in sales?
Zig Ziglar was one of the greatest salespeople of his time, but that wasn’t because he sold the most products.
For him, obtaining sales was not as important as building trust and friendship with potential clients.
Here are some handpicked Zig Ziglar quotes on sales to enrich your view about business.
Zig Ziglar Quotes on Sales
- “People don’t buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons.”
- “Every sale has five basic obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust.”
- “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”
- “Timid salesmen have skinny kids.”
- “Profitability comes from loyalty, productivity, and having a character base from which to work.”
- “Stop selling. Start helping.”
- “Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business.”
- “Your business is never really good or bad ‘out there.’ Your business is either good or bad right between your own two ears.”
- “I have always said that everyone is in sales. Maybe you don’t hold the title of a salesperson, but if the business you are in requires you to deal with people, you, my friend, are in sales.”
- “Profitability comes from loyalty, productivity, and having a character base from which to work.”
- “People who have good relationships at home are more effective in the marketplace.”
- “The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity.”
The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity.” – Zig Ziglar
- “For every sale you miss because you’re too enthusiastic, you will miss a hundred because you’re not enthusiastic enough.”
- “The top salesperson in the organization probably missed more sales than 90% of the salespeople on the team, but they also made more calls than the others made.”
- “If people like you, they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.”
- “Most of us would be upset if we were accused of being ‘silly,’ yet it comes from the old English word ‘seilig’ and its literal definition is ‘to be blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous.’”
Zig Ziglar had a growth mindset. He never stopped learning, which allowed him to achieve higher levels of success.
He was one of those people who did not believe in shortcuts if you want to become successful.
May these Zig Ziglar quotes on learning encourage you to never stop learning in all aspects of your life.
Zig Ziglar Quotes on Learning
- “Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.”
- “If you learn from defeat, you haven’t really lost.”
- “Don’t let mistakes and disappointments of the past control and direct your future.”
- “Make failure your teacher, not your undertaker.”
- “Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs.”
- “There is little you can learn from doing nothing.”
- “The way you see people is the way you treat them.”
- “If you are unwilling to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”
If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” – Zig Ziglar
- “A narrow mind and a fat head invariably come on the same person.”
- “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
- “Life is a classroom — only those who are willing to be lifelong learners will move to the head of the class.”
{Do you want to learn more about what it takes to achieve success as a leader or manager? See this collection of the best books on leadership to gain practical knowledge that will help you become a better leader.]
Free Download: Positive Affirmations Cards
The Positive Affirmations Cards provide encouraging reminders you can use throughout the day to reinforce positive thinking and keep your mindset focused on growth. Keep them nearby for a quick dose of motivation whenever you need it.
Download your free affirmation cards and give yourself a little encouragement each day.
(The link opens up a Google Drive folder where you can get the PDF download for the Cards in a variety of sizes)
Final Thoughts on Zig Ziglar Quotes?
Have you found a favorite among the Zig Ziglar quotes we featured in this post?
Feel free to tell us about it in the comments below. Also, we’d love to hear what you think about this entire collection. Share your thoughts with us!
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And if you’re looking for more resources on how to be successful, be sure to check out these blog posts:
Finally, if you want to level up your productivity and time management skills, then watch this free video about the 9 productivity habits you can build at work.
