Zig Ziglar's #1 Tip for Achieving Success

I had the opportunity to speak to Zig Ziglar the other day. I asked him what was the number one thing he's learned in his experience about success. Here's what he told me:

"Here's the biggest thing that I've learned over the years. The same character qualities that make you a good parent also make you a good employee or employer.

"For example, most people will acknowledge the fact that, as a general rule, the day before they go on vacation, they get twice as much work done as they do on a typical workday. I ask this question at conferences and most of the heads in the audience start nodding. Then I say, 'Tell me if I'm wrong on this, but the reason you get all that done is because the night before, you got out a sheet of paper and wrote down everything you had to do that day. In other words, you had to plan.' And everyone's head nods in agreement.

"Well, working off a particular list means you had a plan of action as to how you're going to use your time. You can't be everything to everybody, so you need to prioritize what is really important. You've got some 'need to do' things and then you've got some 'want to do' things. Well, when you do the things you need to do when you need to do them, then you can do the things you want to do. But take care of the needs first, and then you can move into the other things.

"Roger Staubach told me something that I think bears repeating. He said that when he was in Annapolis during football season, he made his best grades because his time was so scarce and so valuable. When practice ended and he was done with his shower, he instantly got his books out and began studying. He said that every moment was so precious that he didn't waste any of it. It's not a lack of time; it's lack of commitment and direction that people suffer from today. Think about planning your life. Think about what that would mean. Wouldn't that make all the difference?"

It definitely would -- and should. But too many of us refuse to make the commitment. All you have to do is think of each day as your last day -- before going on vacation. Just make sure your priorities are God's.

About the Author

Steve Kroening writes for Success magazine and also publishes Wisdom's Edge. You can get Biblical tips on health, finance, relationships, parenting, and success, delivered to your email inbox every week. Simply visit http://www.wisdomsedge.com and sign up for this free e-zine.

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