This is meant to be an exhaustive list of the very best motivational and personal productivity quotes in existence.  Over time, as it builds in size, my hope this that will be a great recourse for those who need a motivational boost and/or some fresh insight into the challenges of personal productivity.  So to reach this status as the very best motivational and personal productivity quotes around, I need YOU to help in the process.  I would like for you to share with us what you believe to the the very best motivational and personal productivity quotes.  The ones that have really made a positive impact on your life.

The way this works is simple.  The comments below have the ability to initiate direct replies to any one specific comment.  They can go 6 deep which means that one comment can have up to 5 replies.  I’m am allowing each commenter to have their own grouping of up to 6 total comments (all connected by direct replies).  You can only post 3 total quotes and then use the other 3 spots for you own personal thoughts about the quote.  Maybe you can expand on the quote or tell us why you feel it is one of the best quotes around.  Also, I would encourage you to include at least one quote that is your own, if you have one that you deem worthy to make this list of the very best.  Don’t be shy, WOW us with your amazing insight!

An example of this layout would be as follows:

Comment #1: “Quote” ~ Quote Author

Reply #1 to Comment #1: Personal thoughts/insight.

Reply #2: “Quote” ~ Quote Author

Reply #3 to Reply #2: Personal thoughts/insight.

Reply #4: “Quote” ~ Quote Author

Reply #5 to Reply #4: Personal thoughts/insight.

Sorry if this seems complicated, but it’s super simple.  Just lay out 3 of the very best motivational and personal productivity quotes on the planet and reply to each one with your own insight and do so by sticking to your boundary of on comment grouping.  The point of this list is the be clearly focused on sharing the best quotes, not holding conversations, so try to keep your comments focused on that goal.  This list is intended to be a growing resource for inspiration, insight and all out motivation.  So let’s make it that way!

I’m going to start by sharing some quotes from a man who has had a lot of impact on many people’s lives and who has said many powerful things to boost our motivation and personal productivity.  His name is Zig Ziglar and here are 8 of his quotes that I believe simply and clearly sum up this very subject.

“You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”  ~ Zig Ziglar

This is something I struggle with.  I seem to split achievement and helping others into two separate categories.  But I’m finding that these two actions couldn’t be any more interconnected.  Sure, you can be a tyrant and get what you want, but few of us want that.  And the fact is, people aren’t stupid.  Our intentions our as clear as day and those around us are inspired by honesty, a positive outlook and the desire to make OTHERS successful, not just have the whole pie to ourselves.

“The greatest good we can do for others is not just to share our riches with them, but to reveal theirs.”  ~ Zig Ziglar

Along the same lines as the first quote, this one represents a passion I’ve had ever since I started seeking success in my own life.  Nothing inspires me more than being able to help another human being see their own unique abilities and the amazing possibilities that lie ahead.  It goes along the lines of the idea that if you, “Give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day, but if you teach a man how to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime.”  (OK, so I kind of snuck two in their… )

“It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.”  ~ Zig Ziglar

It may sound a bit corny to some, but I can’t think of a more simple and direct way of summing up motivation and the idea that success comes to those with the highest tolerance to friction, not the highest IQ score.

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing.. that’s why we recommend it daily.”  ~ Zig Ziglar

I LOVE this one.  How many of us get motivated to do something and then become SHOCKED when that drive doesn’ t last.  We have to CONSTANTLY reconnect to our passion and drive, reminding ourselves why we are moving in a particular direction.  Fail to do so and we’ll find ourselves stranded on the side of the road with no gas station in sight.

“You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind. “  ~ Zig Ziglar

Between our self talk, the TV/Internet and the people around us, we are constantly bombarded by manipulation.  Just by changing what goes INTO our minds, we can change so much of what comes out of them.

“If you don’t have daily objectives, you qualify as a dreamer.”  ~ Zig Ziglar

OK, so this might not qualify as the most powerful quote to have ever graced our visual receptors, but I believe that it holds a truth that we need to be aware of.  I relate so much to this quote because I am SUCH a dreamer.  Part of what makes me such a driven person is the fact that I can see so much possibility on the horizon.  I day dream about great things, but with out a daily road map of what I need to do to actually REACH those wonderful destinations, I’m nothing more than a day dreamer, living in the mirage of my own made up metropolis. (And you can QUOTE me on that! )

“The major difference between the big shot and the little shot is the big shot is just a little shot who kept on shooting.”  ~ Zig Ziglar

The essence of motivation and the results of personal persistence!

“You need a plan to build a house. To build a life, it is even more important to have a plan or goal.”  ~ Zig Ziglar

Many of us live our lives under the illusion that a life is just a mix of whims and chance.  That somehow our location in 10 years is up to the direction of the wind.  We need to map out our desired destinations, learn the ins and outs of our abilities and then harness the many great opportunities around us to push ahead.  We may not have complete control over the obstacles just ahead, but our heading is absolutely determined by our own personal decisions.

Choose wisely!

You have 3 slots to share what you believe to be the very best motivational and personal productivity quotes on the planet.  Don’t feel the need to do so all at once.  Feel free to come back months from now and lay down your next great quote.

And whether or not you share anything with us, I hope this page becomes a powerful resource for motivation, inspiration and personal productivity insight.  That you may be driven to passionately push ahead as you pursue a life that is an extraordinary act in the making!

Eric