105 Zig Ziglar Quotes to Motivate You to Achieve Your Goals (Success)

Last updated on December 25, 2022

Hilary Hinton Ziglar, professionally known as Zig Ziglar (born 6 November 1926, Coffee County, Alabama, United States – died 28 November 2012, Plano, Texas, United States) was an American author, salesman, and motivational speaker. From 1970 until 2010, he traveled over five million miles across the world delivering powerful life improvement messages, cultivating the energy of change. Zig Ziglar's ground-breaking best-seller, “See You At The Top”, remains an authentic American classic.

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude. ― Zig Ziglar — Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.

Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days. ― Zig Ziglar — Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. ― Zig Ziglar — What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.

Time can be an ally or an enemy. What it becomes depends entirely upon you, your goals, and your determination to use every available minute. ― Zig Ziglar — Time can be an ally or an enemy. What it becomes depends entirely upon you, your goals, and your determination to use every available minute.

If you learn from defeat, you haven’t really lost. ― Zig Ziglar — If you learn from defeat, you haven’t really lost.

Happiness is the ability to move forward knowing the future will be better than the past. ― Zig Ziglar — Happiness is the ability to move forward knowing the future will be better than the past.

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. ― Zig Ziglar — You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.

People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily. ― Zig Ziglar — People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.

When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there. ― Zig Ziglar — When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.

The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now. ― Zig Ziglar — The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now.

Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of going after yours. ― Zig Ziglar — Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of going after yours.

You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life. ― Zig Ziglar — You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.

If you can dream it, you can achieve it. ― Zig Ziglar — If you can dream it, you can achieve it.

A goal properly set is halfway reached. ― Zig Ziglar — A goal properly set is halfway reached.

Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes. ― Zig Ziglar — Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.

Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs. ― Zig Ziglar — Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs.

Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart. ― Zig Ziglar — Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart.

If you go out looking for friends, you’re going to find they are very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere. ― Zig Ziglar — If you go out looking for friends, you’re going to find they are very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.

You were born to win, but to be a winner you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win. ― Zig Ziglar — You were born to win, but to be a winner you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will. ― Zig Ziglar — Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.

Remember that failure is an event, not a person. ― Zig Ziglar — Remember that failure is an event, not a person.

Yesterday ended last night. Today is a brand-new day and it’s yours.

There has never been a statue erected to honor a critic. ― Zig Ziglar — There has never been a statue erected to honor a critic.

Make today worth remembering. ― Zig Ziglar — Make today worth remembering.

Yes, it’s absolutely true that anything worth doing is worth doing poorly – until you can learn to do it well. ― Zig Ziglar — Yes, it’s absolutely true that anything worth doing is worth doing poorly – until you can learn to do it well.

The first step in solving a problem is to recognize that it does exist. ― Zig Ziglar — The first step in solving a problem is to recognize that it does exist.

If you want to reach a goal, you must 'see the reaching' in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal. ― Zig Ziglar — If you want to reach a goal, you must 'see the reaching' in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal.

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 — If you are not willing to learn no one can help you. If you are determined to learn no one can stop you.

Many marriages would be better if the husband and wife clearly understood that they're on the same side. ― Zig Ziglar — Many marriages would be better if the husband and wife clearly understood that they're on the same side.

You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want. ― Zig Ziglar — You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.

A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could. ― Zig Ziglar — A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.

Some people find fault like there is a reward for it. ― Zig Ziglar — Some people find fault like there is a reward for it.

If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. ― Zig Ziglar — If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.

Make failure your teacher, not your undertaker. ― Zig Ziglar — Make failure your teacher, not your undertaker.

The greatest of all mistakes is to do nothing because you think you can only do a little. ― Zig Ziglar — The greatest of all mistakes is to do nothing because you think you can only do a little.

With integrity you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. With integrity you will do the right thing, so you will have no guilt. With fear and guilt removed you are free to be and do your best. ― Zig Ziglar — With integrity you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. With integrity you will do the right thing, so you will have no guilt. With fear and guilt removed you are free to be and do your best.

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. ― Zig Ziglar — 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.

Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come. ― Zig Ziglar — Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come.

People don’t buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons. ― Zig Ziglar — People don’t buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons.

I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles. ― Zig Ziglar — I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.

The more you are grateful for what you have the more you will have to be grateful for. ― Zig Ziglar — The more you are grateful for what you have the more you will have to be grateful for.

Your business is never really good or bad 'out there.' Your business is either good or bad right between your own two ears. ― Zig Ziglar — Your business is never really good or bad 'out there.' Your business is either good or bad right between your own two ears.

If you’re sincere, praise is effective. If you’re insincere, it’s manipulative. ― Zig Ziglar — If you’re sincere, praise is effective. If you’re insincere, it’s manipulative.

Every sale has five basic obstacles: No need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust. ― Zig Ziglar — Every sale has five basic obstacles: No need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust.

Success comes when opportunity meets preparation. ― Zig Ziglar — Success comes when opportunity meets preparation.

Mountain climbers don't carry bricks. ― Zig Ziglar — Mountain climbers don't carry bricks.

Motivation gets you going and habit gets you there. ― Zig Ziglar — Motivation gets you going and habit gets you there.

Courage is on display every day, and only the courageous wring the most out of life. ― Zig Ziglar — Courage is on display every day, and only the courageous wring the most out of life.

If you don’t see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner. ― Zig Ziglar — If you don’t see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner.

You can make positive deposits in your own economy every day by reading and listening to powerful, positive, life-changing content and by associating with encouraging and hope-building people. ― Zig Ziglar — You can make positive deposits in your own economy every day by reading and listening to powerful, positive, life-changing content and by associating with encouraging and hope-building people.

Money isn’t the most important thing in life, but it’s reasonably close to oxygen on the ‘gotta have it’ scale. ― Zig Ziglar — Money isn’t the most important thing in life, but it’s reasonably close to oxygen on the ‘gotta have it’ scale.

When you are truly interested in other people, you will learn what they are interested in and if they have a need for your product. If they like you, and most people like folks who take an interest in them, they’ll help you find people who do need what you have to sell, even if they don’t.
Zig Ziglar

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.
Zig Ziglar

Never blame anyone in your life. Good people give you happiness. Bad people give you experience. Worst people give you a lesson. And the best people give you memories. ― Zig Ziglar — Never blame anyone in your life. Good people give you happiness. Bad people give you experience. Worst people give you a lesson. And the best people give you memories.

Don’t let others be your judge and jury with their pity and negative thoughts or feeling. Know that you are here for a reason. Recognize, develop, and use the resources you do have. Others see the surface; you know your heart. ― Zig Ziglar — Don’t let others be your judge and jury with their pity and negative thoughts or feeling. Know that you are here for a reason. Recognize, develop, and use the resources you do have. Others see the surface; you know your heart.

The one thing coaches cannot tolerate… is the individual who grows arrogant because he excelled at a lower level and believes he has nothing else to learn. ― Zig Ziglar — The one thing coaches cannot tolerate… is the individual who grows arrogant because he excelled at a lower level and believes he has nothing else to learn.

Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful. ― Zig Ziglar — Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.

The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times. ― Zig Ziglar — The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times.

It makes no difference where you go, there you are. And it makes no difference what you have, there’s always more to want. Until you are happy with who you are, you will never be happy because of what you have. ― Zig Ziglar — It makes no difference where you go, there you are. And it makes no difference what you have, there’s always more to want. Until you are happy with who you are, you will never be happy because of what you have.

Be helpful. When you see a person without a smile, give them yours. ― Zig Ziglar — Be helpful. When you see a person without a smile, give them yours.

If you don’t like who you are and where you are, don’t worry about it because you’re not stuck either with who you are or where you are. You can grow. You can change. You can be more than you are. ― Zig Ziglar — If you don’t like who you are and where you are, don’t worry about it because you’re not stuck either with who you are or where you are. You can grow. You can change. You can be more than you are.

Fear has two meanings; ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours. ― Zig Ziglar — Fear has two meanings; ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours.

Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully. ― Zig Ziglar — Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully.

Every choice you make has an end result. ― Zig Ziglar — Every choice you make has an end result.

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. ― Zig Ziglar — 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.

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. ― Zig Ziglar — Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others.

You can start where you are with what you’ve got and go wherever it is you want to go. ― Zig Ziglar — You can start where you are with what you’ve got and go wherever it is you want to go.

There are no traffic jams on the extra mile. ― Zig Ziglar — There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.

We cannot start over, but we can begin now and make a new ending. ― Zig Ziglar — We cannot start over, but we can begin now and make a new ending.

Unless you have a definite, precise, clearly set goals, you are not going to realize the maximum potential that lies within you. ― Zig Ziglar — Unless you have a definite, precise, clearly set goals, you are not going to realize the maximum potential that lies within you.

Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission. ― Zig Ziglar — Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission.

Go as far as you can see and you will see further. ― Zig Ziglar — Go as far as you can see and you will see further.

Do it, and then you will feel motivated to do it. ― Zig Ziglar — Do it, and then you will feel motivated to do it.

You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness. ― Zig Ziglar — You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness.

It’s not what you’ve got, it’s what you use that makes a difference. ― Zig Ziglar — It’s not what you’ve got, it’s what you use that makes a difference.

When you are tough on yourself, life is going to be infinitely easier on you. ― Zig Ziglar — When you are tough on yourself, life is going to be infinitely easier on you.

There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs. ― Zig Ziglar — There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs.

How you see the future is much more important than what happened in your past. ― Zig Ziglar — How you see the future is much more important than what happened in your past.

Success must never be measured by how much money you have. ― Zig Ziglar — Success must never be measured by how much money you have.

The hardening of the attitudes is the most deadly disease on the face of the earth. ― Zig Ziglar — The hardening of the attitudes is the most deadly disease on the face of the earth.

Some of us learn from other people’s mistakes and the rest of us have to be other people. ― Zig Ziglar — Some of us learn from other people’s mistakes and the rest of us have to be other people.

In the game of life, before you get anything out, you must put something in! ― Zig Ziglar — In the game of life, before you get anything out, you must put something in!

The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity. ― Zig Ziglar — The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity.

Everybody says they want to be free. Take the train off the tracks and it’s free-but it can’t go anywhere. ― Zig Ziglar — Everybody says they want to be free. Take the train off the tracks and it’s free-but it can’t go anywhere.

You don’t build a business – you build people – and then people build the business. ― Zig Ziglar — You don’t build a business – you build people – and then people build the business.

Outside of your relationship with God, the most important relationship you can have is with yourself. I don’t mean that we are to spend all our time focused on me, me, me to the exclusion of others. Instead, I mean that we must be healthy internally, emotionally and spiritually – in order to create healthy relationships with others.
Zig Ziglar

Don’t count the things you do, do the things that count. ― Zig Ziglar — Don’t count the things you do, do the things that count.

Most people who fail in their dream fail not from lack of ability but from lack of commitment. ― Zig Ziglar — Most people who fail in their dream fail not from lack of ability but from lack of commitment.

Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember: the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you. ― Zig Ziglar — Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember: the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.

Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment. ― Zig Ziglar — Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.

Don’t let the mistakes and disappointments of the past control and direct your future. ― Zig Ziglar — Don’t let the mistakes and disappointments of the past control and direct your future.

If you have the character to hang in there when it’s tough, you will develop or acquire every other characteristic necessary to WIN in the game of life. ― Zig Ziglar — If you have the character to hang in there when it’s tough, you will develop or acquire every other characteristic necessary to WIN in the game of life.

Isn’t it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation? ― Zig Ziglar — Isn’t it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?

If you are going to be successful, you must develop persistence. How do you do that? It is not easily condensed in one simple statement, but one thing you can be sure of is that you must define your purpose. ― Zig Ziglar — If you are going to be successful, you must develop persistence. How do you do that? It is not easily condensed in one simple statement, but one thing you can be sure of is that you must define your purpose.

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. ― Zig Ziglar — 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.

True joy comes when you inspire, encourage, and guide someone else on a path that benefits him or her. ― Zig Ziglar — True joy comes when you inspire, encourage, and guide someone else on a path that benefits him or her.

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.
Zig Ziglar

You are the only one who can use your ability. It is an awesome responsibility. ― Zig Ziglar — You are the only one who can use your ability. It is an awesome responsibility.

There is little you can learn from doing nothing. ― Zig Ziglar — There is little you can learn from doing nothing.

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. ― Zig Ziglar — 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.

Moving from survival to stability, from stability to success, from success to significance. ― Zig Ziglar — Moving from survival to stability, from stability to success, from success to significance.

Stop selling. Start helping. ― Zig Ziglar — Stop selling. Start helping.

When you do more than you’re paid for. Eventually, you’ll be paid for more than you do. ― Zig Ziglar — When you do more than you’re paid for. Eventually, you’ll be paid for more than you do.

Motivation is the fuel necessary to keep the human engine running. ― Zig Ziglar — Motivation is the fuel necessary to keep the human engine running.