Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.

Zig Ziglar (1926–2012), a prominent American sales trainer and motivational speaker, frequently addressed the practical limits of “inspiration” in his talks and writings on performance and self-improvement. This line is typically used in the context of workplace motivation—especially sales—where audiences expect a single seminar or pep talk to create lasting change. Ziglar’s point, delivered in his characteristically folksy, humorous style, is that motivation naturally fades and must be renewed through ongoing habits: reading, goal review, positive input, and disciplined routines. The bathing comparison frames motivation as ordinary maintenance rather than a one-time transformation.

The quote argues that motivation is not a permanent state but a renewable resource. By comparing it to bathing, Ziglar reframes motivation from something mystical or rare into a basic form of upkeep: you don’t bathe once and expect lifelong cleanliness, and you shouldn’t seek a single burst of enthusiasm to sustain long-term effort. The humor also undercuts the common complaint that motivational programs “don’t last,” implying that their value lies in repetition and practice. The deeper implication is behavioral: lasting results come from systems and routines that regularly restore focus and energy, not from waiting for a constant feeling of drive.

1) “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.”
2) “Motivation is like bathing: it doesn’t last, so you have to do it every day.”
3) “Motivation doesn’t last—neither does bathing; that’s why you need it regularly.”