Thinking of Zig Ziglar on his birthday today, who passed away three years ago this month. I was just a kid when I first heard him speak and he caught my attention because of his funny sounding name (In fact, my dad wanted to name me “Logan McLogan” but mom talked him out of it). My mother put in a cassette tape of him speaking for us to listen to one day, as she sold World Book Encyclopedias back then, and the company often had him speak at their sales conferences in the 1970’s.
Later in life, when I was going through my Divorce, Bankruptcy, House foreclosure, etc.. I would watch some of his speeches on YouTube and read his 1975 best selling book “See You at the Top,” and most recent one “Born to Win,” for encouragement and inspiration.
We became Facebook friends in April of 2012 (he had his own personal account as well as this page here: https://www.facebook.com/ZigZiglar/?fref=ts ) and I the only time we ever interacted on on there was when he liked a status update that read: “When we get our security from Christ, we no longer have to look for it in the world.” (Which is from Bob Goff‘s book “Love Does”).
You see, just as his public speaking career was starting, Zig became a born-again Christian on July 4, 1972. He was 45 and happily married with kids but totally broke both financially and more importantly, spiritually. “That was the missing ingredient,” Ziglar said. “Everything changed for the better from then on.” He shared that his faith in Christ helped him see that the true mark of success is something money can’t buy — namely, peace of mind.
It’s a message he’s shared with countless people, whether it’s onstage in front of thousands, on the radio and television, or through any of his 31 books. He incorporated references to faith into his public talks, despite warnings that this would be career suicide. Against expectations, his faith helped to connect him to his audiences worldwide
His most famous quote and I think his legacy is: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” Which I believe is from Matthew 20:26 when Jesus said: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Like Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: “Life’s most urgent questions is: What are you doing for others?” Zig came to know that he was blessed to be a blessing to others, and that’s what God wants you to be as well (Just like Zig was to me).
So know and understand that we are here to serve each other with our God given gifts and abilities. I am very grateful for Zig’s legacy and how he shared his faith in way that is both Simple and Deep.
True friendship is service and selfless sacrifice.
Here is one of my favorite presentations he gave.
