“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing, that’s why we recommend it daily.”
-Zig Ziglar
Zig Ziglar is a motivational speaker that my mother listens to every day as part of her daily routine. We all have those days where we don’t get out of bed. Whether it be from exhaustion, anxiety, or a plain and simple “blah” attitude.
What helps us get past any and all of those? Motivation.
But motivation in any form can only last so long (that’s why most New Year’s resolutions finish before February), we have to constantly re-motivate ourselves. Find what motivates you, because just like a bath, motivation should be a daily activity.
Why Zig Ziglar’s Motivation Quotes Still Hit Home
Zig Ziglar’s most famous line — that motivation, like bathing, is something you need daily — sums up his entire philosophy. Motivation is not a one-time event you achieve and keep forever; it is a habit you renew. That is exactly why his quotes remain some of the most shared in personal development: they are practical, plainspoken, and built for everyday use rather than rare bursts of inspiration.
Who Was Zig Ziglar?
Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) was an American author, salesman, and motivational speaker known for his energetic talks and the bestselling book See You at the Top. He spent decades teaching audiences about sales, attitude, goal-setting, and personal growth, and his message still anchors countless morning routines and team meetings today.
More Zig Ziglar Motivation Quotes to Live By
A handful of his lines capture his upbeat, action-first outlook:
- “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
- “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
- “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”
For more daily fuel, see why we become what we think about, how Norman Vincent Peale warns that empty heads hold us back, and Vince Lombardi’s call to stand for the doer. You can also build momentum with these Charles Kettering quotes and learn to focus your mind on building wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Zig Ziglar?
Zig Ziglar was an American motivational speaker, salesman, and author best known for the book See You at the Top and for teaching practical lessons on attitude, sales, and personal growth.
What is Zig Ziglar’s most famous quote about motivation?
His best-known motivation quote is, “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.”
How do you stay motivated daily, according to Zig Ziglar?
Ziglar’s advice was to treat motivation as a daily habit: feed your mind with positive input, set clear goals, and renew your reasons for starting each day rather than waiting for inspiration to strike.
You can explore more of his work at the official Zig Ziglar website.
