You know how people often say motivation doesn’t last? Zig Ziglar brilliantly reframed that by comparing it to bathing. It’s a simple, powerful idea: just like you don’t shower once and stay clean, you can’t get motivated once and stay driven. It’s a daily practice.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
The core message is that motivation is not a one-time event, but a renewable resource that requires consistent, daily attention to be effective.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this in my own work for years. The biggest mistake people make is waiting for motivation to strike them like lightning. It doesn’t work that way. Ziglar’s genius here is in the analogy. You don’t expect to take one shower and be clean for life, right? So why would you expect one motivational seminar or one inspiring book to fuel you forever? It’s a hygiene practice. You have to consciously engage with things that inspire you, that fire you up, every single day. It’s the small, consistent deposits into your mental bank account that build up and create lasting drive.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Personal Development (697) |
| Topics | consistency (66), discipline (252), motivation (113) |
| Literary Style | conversational (15), witty (99) |
| Emotion / Mood | humorous (34), realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 80 (256) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from Zig Ziglar’s 1975 classic, See You at the Top, which was published in the United States. It’s authentically his, though the bathing analogy is so perfectly simple it feels like it could be an old proverb.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Zig Ziglar (36) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | See You at the Top (29) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Modern (530) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Zig Ziglar inspired generations with his upbeat, practical lessons on sales and success. He started in door-to-door cookware sales, rose to corporate leadership, and then founded Ziglar, Inc. to train leaders worldwide. His books—like See You at the Top and Secrets of Closing the Sale—blend ethics, optimism, and actionable steps. He spoke to millions across the globe and built a lasting legacy in personal development and professional selling. If you’re exploring his writings, check the
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1975; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-0-88207-957-2; Last edition: Revised & Updated, Pelican Publishing 2010; Number of pages: 416 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 3: Motivation for the Climb, Approximate page 130 from 2010 edition |