“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar, Author, salesman, and motivational speaker
Zig Ziglar built his career on inspiring people to achieve personal and professional success. He was known for his positive, faith-based approach to motivation, sales training, and self-development. This particular quote reflects one of Ziglar’s core beliefs about action and progress:
Key Ideas Behind the Quote:
Overcoming Perfectionism & Fear:
Many people hesitate to start something new because they feel unprepared, inadequate, or afraid of failure.
Ziglar’s message is that perfection is not a prerequisite for starting. The key is to begin—because greatness is only achieved through the process of starting and improving over time.
Action Precedes Mastery:
Success is a result of consistent effort and growth. You become great by starting, learning, and persisting.
This principle is a cornerstone of personal development and is frequently echoed in productivity and entrepreneurial advice today.
Encouragement to Take the First Step:
Ziglar believed that getting started is often the hardest part, but once a person takes that first step, momentum and confidence begin to build.
Starting imperfectly is better than not starting at all.
Ziglar’s Broader Philosophy:
This quote aligns with Ziglar’s broader teachings, which emphasize:
- Positive thinking as the foundation for success.
- Goal setting as a means to give life direction and purpose.
- Persistence and hard work as the drivers of excellence.
- Faith and values as guiding principles in personal and professional life.
Example from His Career:
Ziglar’s own journey mirrored this message. He started as a door-to-door cookware salesman in the 1940s and experienced numerous rejections and setbacks. However, he persisted, honed his sales and public speaking skills, and eventually became one of the most influential motivational speakers and authors in the world.
Notable Works:
See You at the Top (1975) – His most famous book, emphasizing self-image, goal-setting, and attitude.
Over the Top (1994) – Focuses on achieving peak performance in life and business.
Born to Win (2011) – Explores the importance of planning, preparation, and having the right attitude.
Takeaway:
The quote “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great” encourages anyone facing self-doubt or fear of failure to take action. Greatness is not a requirement for beginning; it is the reward for starting and persevering.
