People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing.  That’s why we recommend it daily.

Zig Ziglar (1926–2012), a prominent American sales trainer and motivational speaker, used this line in his talks and writings to answer a common objection to motivational programs: that their effects fade quickly. The quip reflects the mid-to-late 20th-century self-improvement and corporate-training culture in which Ziglar worked, where seminars, tapes, and daily “success habits” were marketed as practical tools for performance. By pairing “motivation” with an everyday hygiene routine, he framed motivation not as a one-time event but as something maintained through regular practice—reading, goal review, encouragement, and disciplined habits.

The quote argues that the temporary nature of motivation is not a reason to dismiss it; instead, it’s a reason to renew it. Like bathing, motivation is a maintenance activity: its benefits are real but require repetition because life continually introduces stress, distraction, and discouragement. Ziglar’s humor also shifts the burden from external inspiration to personal routine—suggesting that sustained achievement depends less on a single surge of enthusiasm than on daily practices that restore clarity and energy. The deeper implication is that consistency, not intensity, is what makes motivation useful over time.

1) “People say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.”
2) “Motivation is like bathing; it doesn’t last. That’s why you have to do it every day.”
3) “Motivation doesn’t last—well, neither does a shower. Do it daily.”