One of the most successful men I have ever met passed away on November 28, 2012. Zig Ziglar was 86 years old.
Zig had a powerful, positive and enduring impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people over the course of his life. Among other things, Zig was a best selling author, a renowned and highly successful speaker, a world-class salesman and sales executive, and a loving and totally committed husband and father.
As a hugely successful author, speaker and salesman who reached the pinnacle of success in his chosen fields, Zig never lost his integrity, his infectious enthusiasm and his sincere interest and love for others. Zig lived what he wrote and what he spoke. Even as a best selling author and highly-sought-after speaker, Zig’s actions spoke louder than his words. They always do!
Zig Ziglar was nothing less than an outstanding American, and a very unique and effective inspirational leader! He was a family man who dearly loved his wife “the redhead” and all of his family. Zig was highly respected in his community, by his colleagues and within and throughout America.
It was my honor and privilege to have known Zig. It was also my honor to have personally told Zig, on several occasions, how much I respected, admired and appreciated him. The last time I spoke to Zig was at the Charlotte, North Carolina airport. We had both just completed speaking engagements and happened to be flying back to Dallas on the same plane. After checking in for our flight, Zig’s beautiful and gracious wife Jean (Zig lovingly called her “the redhead”) insisted that we find the airport bookstore so that we could buy a copy of Zig’s latest book. Zig had offered to write a personal note and autograph the book for me, and I of course was delighted to take him up on the offer, adding one more excellent book to my collection.
As is true with other mentors and people who have significantly impacted my life, if any good comes from my life, Zig Ziglar and his positive, uplifting influence should receive much of the credit.
Zig was a kind, gentle, humble and ever-grateful man whose sincere concern and love for others was – and still is – powerful and enduring. Through his actions, as well as his attitude and words, Zig created a beautiful life, a beautiful family, and an outstanding and meaningful career. Zig left each and every one of us a powerful, positive legacy from which we can learn for the rest of our lives.
Thank you Zig for your leadership, your life and your legacy!
If you desire greater success in your life, you will not find a better teacher or mentor than Zig Ziglar! Thankfully, his best selling books, presentations and scores of other resources are available for the ages. For a listing of Zig’s books and other resources, click here.
In honor of Zig, here are just a few of his many great quotations:
“You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
“Success is dependent upon glands – sweat glands.”
“Remember that failure is an event, not a person.”
“Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life – all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honest and integrity.”
“Stop selling. Start helping.”
“Money isn’t the most important thing in life, but it’s reasonably close to oxygen on the ‘gotta have it’ scale.”
For additional Zig Ziglar quotations, click here.
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