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Writer's pictureJonno White

650 Best Mary Kay Ash Quotes To Inspire Your Leadership

1. “Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe remember you can achieve.”


2. And that point is, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve known somebody. People change. Or you don’t really know them as well as you thought you did in the first place.


3. “It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure.” – Mary Kay Ash


4. Some might consider the Golden Rule corny and old-fashioned, but no one can deny its simple truth. Imagine how much better our world would be if everyone lived by this creed.


5. Do you know that within your power lies every step you ever dreamed of stepping and within your power lies every joy you ever dreamed of seeing? Within yourself lies everything you ever dreamed of being. Become everything that God wants you to be. It is within your reach. Dare to grow into your dreams and claim this as your motto: Let it be me.


6. “You must develop the ability to know the difference between a real problem and an imaginary one.” – Mary Kay Ash


7. You can’t stand still. You either go forward or backward. – Mary Kay Ash


8. If today one more woman learns how great she really is, then for me it has been a great day.


9. We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. If you don't know where you're aiming, you don't have a goal. My goal is to live my life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, she cared.


10. “For every failure, there’s an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.” – Mary Kay Ash


11. “Don’t let the negatives of life control you. Rise above them.” – Mary Kay Ash


12. “Every silver lining has a cloud.”


13. “Within yourself lies everything you ever dreamed of being. Become everything that God wants you to be. It is within your reach.” – Mary Kay Ash


14. “You have a responsibility when you have a large community.”


15. “Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.”


16. “Dubai is a safe place, and I never came across anything to worry about.”


17. “Some of the most successful people managers are also the best listeners.”


18. Every leader should understand that God has planted seeds of greatness in every human being.


19. “Good leaders should never have dollar signs in their eyes, regarding people in terms of profit.” – Mary Kay Ash


20. “Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don't keep it a secret.”


21. Take action and believe in yourself. Dreams do come true.


22. “Be a go-getter. Give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.” – Mary Kay Ash


23. For every failure, there’s an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.


24. People also can be distracted by their own petty prejudices. For instance, a person may use profanity or some expression that you don't like.


25. “Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass.” – Mary Kay Ash


26. “Cleaners sacrifice the rest to get what they want the most.”


27. “No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important.”


28. “Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.” – Mary Kay Ash


29. “People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn’t make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps.” – Mary Kay Ash


30. A woman could work day and night caring for her family, and the only time she's likely to hear a comment is if she stops doing it!


31. Listen long enough and the person will generally come up with an adequate solution.


32. “We treat our people like royalty. If you honour and serve the people who work for you, they will honour and serve you.” Mary Kay Ash


33. “Never give up, because you never know if the next try is going to be the one that works.”


34. “Don’t let the negatives of life control you. Rise above them. Use them as your stepping stones to go higher than you ever dreamed possible.” Mary Kay Ash


35. “While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence, which, I believe, does make the woman.” – Mary Kay Ash


36. Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass.


37. One of the secrets of success is to refuse to let temporary setbacks defeat us. – Mary Kay Ash


38. “In The Heart of Every Successful Person is, ‘I Can.”


39. “It’s easy to be enthusiastic when everything is going smoothly. But the real test of one’s mettle is to maintain enthusiasm under adverse conditions.” – Mary Kay Ash


40. I believe every person has the ability to achieve something important, and with that in mind I regard everyone as special. A manager should feel this way about people, but it’s an attitude that can’t be faked. You’ve got to be honestly convinced that every human being is important. – Mary Kay Ash


41. Dare to risk public criticism. – Mary Kay Ash


42. “Throw out the words, if I can, I hope, and maybe, and replace them with I can, I will, I must.” Mary Kay Ash


43. “Do not desire to fit in. Desire to lead.“


44. “Refuse to throw in the towel. Go that extra mile.” – Mary Kay Ash


45. No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important.


46. “The first step is the hardest — making the commitment to yourself, for yourself.” – Mary Kay Ash


47. Within yourself lies everything you ever dreamed of being. Become everything that God wants you to be. It is within your reach.


48. “I believe every person has the ability to achieve something important, and with that in mind I regard everyone as special.”


49. People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn’t make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps


50. You must develop the ability to know the difference between a real problem and an imaginary one. – Mary Kay Ash


51. People fail forward to success.


52. “Wealth won’t last if good habits are not being passed down.”


53. Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise.


54. “Real strength entails being considerate and supportive of people’s feelings.”


55. “God didn’t have time to make a nobody, only a somebody. I believe that each of us has God-given talents within us waiting to be brought to fruition.” Mary Kay Ash


56. The first step is the hardest — making the commitment to yourself, for yourself. – Mary Kay Ash


57. The power of positive motivation in a goal-oriented structure such as ours cannot be overstated.


58. “The most important justification for being in business is service to others. Every new business must be built upon the premise, since wanting to make money or desiring to ‘dabble’ in a favorite pastime are not enough to sustain such a venture. The business must fulfill a need.”


59. A company is built with people—remove them, and the company's ability to function effectively is seriously threatened.


60. There’s a big difference between a decisive manager and a tyrant. – Mary Kay Ash


61. “My definition of happiness is having something to do what you love to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.”


62. “Leaders teach. They motivate. They care. Leaders make sure that the way to success is always broad enough and straight enough for others to follow.”


63. “People also feel important when they’re given responsibility. But responsibility without authority can destroy a person’s self-esteem.” – Mary Kay Ash


64. “If you do ask questions and are subtle about it, you are expressing a genuine interest in what the other person has to say.”


65. You can eat an elephant one bit at a time. – Mary Kay Ash


66. “For every failure, there's an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.”


67. As a leader, you must recognize that everyone needs praise. But it must be given sincerely.


68. Be the kind of person who can always be counted on to do what you say you’ll do. – Mary Kay Ash


69. A good goal is like a strenuous exercise—it makes you stretch.


70. “Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don’t keep it a secret.” – Mary Kay Ash


71. “Your attitude determines your altitude. It really is true that If you think you can, you can; and if you think you can’t – you’re right.”


72. Help other people get what they want – and you’ll get what you want. – Mary Kay Ash


73. If you act enthusiastic, you will become enthusiastic. A mediocre mind that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one. – Mary Kay Ash


74. “God does not ask your ability or your inability. He asks only your availability.” – Mary Kay Ash


75. “There is a way; Up, Around, Over or Through.” – Mary Kay Ash


76. “In a career you either go forward or backward, but you don’t stand still. Everyone must continually improve his or her skills in a lifetime self-improvement program.” – Mary Kay Ash


77. Even the smallest achievements pave a way to great success


78. “By listening to people in the field, we’re able to develop products that are the direct result of demands from customers.” – Mary Kay Ash


79. So many women just don’t know how great they really are. They come to us all vogue on the outside and vague on the inside.


80. Let people know that you appreciate their performance and they will respond by doing even better. – Mary Kay Ash


81. Begin to build in your mind a dream. Then write it down and make your goal realistic. – Mary Kay Ash


82. “A good goal is like a strenuous exercise—it makes you stretch.” – Mary Kay Ash


83. “For every failure, there's an alternative


84. The most valuable gift that you can give your children is not money; it is the ability to think positively. The money will soon be gone, but the ability to think positively will go on to help your children be a success throughout their lives.


85. “Everyone wears a sign that says “Make me feel important”


86. “Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, make me feel important. Never forget this message when working with people.” Mary Kay Ash


87. “We fall forward to succeed.”


88. “Every leader should understand that God has planted seeds of greatness in every human being.”


89. “Everyone has obstacles to overcome, but those with great faith can conquer whatever stands in the way.”


90. “God didn’t have time to make a nobody, only a somebody. I believe that each of us has God-given talents within us waiting to be brought to fruition.” – Mary Kay Ash


91. When you look at any great business enterprise, you'll find that it's people who make it excel.


92. Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway. – Mary Kay Ash


93. The definition of successful people is simply ordinary people with extraordinary determination.


94. Consider the price actors and actresses are willing to pay for recognition, that one chance in a thousand to 'make it to the top'.


95. “The Only Thing Separating Us From Greatness Is A Vision And A Plan For Achieving Greatness.”


96. “Some people drift through their entire life. They do it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. It happens so gradually they are unaware of how their lives are slipping away until it’s too late.” – Mary Kay Ash


97. “When everybody is motivated to serve others, everybody benefits.” – Mary Kay Ash


98. “Think in terms of what’s good for the other person and success will seek you out.” – Mary Kay Ash


99. “My company mascot is the bumblebee. Because of its tiny wings and heavy body, aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly. But the bumblebee doesn’t know that, so it flies anyways.”


100. How does a leader make people feel important? First, by listening to them. Let them know you respect their thinking, and let them voice their opinions.


101. Be a dreamer. Have a sense of greatness. It has been said that if you can dream it, you can do it. And I believe that.


102. “There’s a big difference between a decisive manager and a tyrant.”


103. I believe that it's okay for a manager to develop a relationship with his or her employees.


104. “Aim high enough that you will have to stretch your ability and your potential to reach it.”


105. “Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.” – Mary Kay Ash


106. “My experience with people is that they generally do what you expect them to do!” – Mary Kay Ash


107. “Throw out the words ‘If I can’, ‘I hope’, and ‘maybe’, and replace them with ‘I can, I will, I must.” – Mary Kay Ash


108. Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try. – Mary Kay Ash


109. “Consider the price actors and actresses are willing to pay for recognition, that one chance in a thousand to ‘make it to the top’.”


110. “Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.” – Mary Kay Ash


111. “God does not ask your ability


112. “Individuals sometimes feel insignificant and doubt that one person can really make a difference in this world. Well, believe me, one person can.”


113. “A woman who will tell her age will tell anything”. – Mary Kay Ash


114. People won’t follow a person they don’t trust.


115. You cannot keep determined people from success. – Mary Kay Ash


116. “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Mary Kay Ash


117. Think in terms of what’s good for the other person and success will seek you out. – Mary Kay Ash


118. You can have anything in this world you want, if you want it badly enough and you’re willing to pay the price. – Mary Kay Ash


119. Sandwich every bit of criticism between two layers of praise.


120. A doctor who asks you a lot of questions shows that he cares about your health.


121. The speed of the leader is the speed of the gang.


122. “It’s easy to be enthusiastic when everything is going smoothly. But the real test of one’s mettle is to maintain enthusiasm under adverse conditions.”


123. “Left unattended, problems only intensify.”


124. “Aim high enough that you will have to stretch your ability and your potential to reach it.” – Mary Kay Ash


125. Do you know that within your power lies every step you ever dreamed of stepping and within your power lies every joy you ever dreamed of seeing? Within yourself lies everything you ever dreamed of being. Become everything that God wants you to be. It is within your reach. Dare to grow into your dreams and claim this as your motto: Let it be me. – Mary Kay Ash


126. If you really want to make a success of this business, then you must put yourself on a schedule.


127. It is important to realize that you do not have to change a certain number of lives in order to make a difference in the world; you can do it by reaching out to just one person. That person can be anyone.


128. I do believe in encouraging a person to compete with herself… at Mary Kay Cosmetics, we’ve made that philosophy a company policy. – Mary Kay Ash


129. Do not desire to fit in. Desire to lead.


130. “People who succeed have a goal, a dream, and make their plans and follow them.” – Mary Kay Ash


131. “You cannot keep determined people from success. If you place stumbling blocks in their way, they will use them for stepping-stones and climb to new heights.” – Mary Kay Ash


132. I believe that most successful people are ordinary people with extraordinary determination. – Mary Kay Ash


133. “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.”- Mary Kay Ash


134. You can go as far as your mind lets you. – Mary Kay Ash


135. No matter how busy you are, you must take the time to make the other person feel important.


136. “Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.” Mary Kay Ash


137. There are two things that people want more than sex and money – recognition and praise.


138. And I understand the feelings a Sales Director has when she has spent weeks of love and care training a new unit member only to have that person quit before she even starts.


139. “I’ve already told you how I once waited in a long reception line to shake hands with the company’s sales manager, only to have him treat me as if I didn’t exist.” – Mary Kay Ash


140. “Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.”


141. Do what you should do when you need to do them so someday, you can do what you want to do, when you want to do them.


142. “People who succeed have a goal, a dream, and make their plans and follow them.”


143. “I believe that most successful people are ordinary people with extraordinary determination.” – Mary Kay Ash


144. A leader has two important characteristics: first she is going somewhere; second, she is able to persuade others to go with her.


145. We treat our people like royalty.


146. “You can do anything in this world that you want to do, if you want to do it badly enough.” Mary Kay Ash


147. “You can eat an elephant one bite at a time.” – Mary Kay Ash


148. “Good people managers are likely to listen more than they speak. Perhaps that’s why we were given two ears and only one mouth.”


149. “The definition of successful people is simply ordinary people with extraordinary determination.” Mary Kay Ash


150. Be subtle or you'll come across as being intrusive.


151. Everyone has obstacles to overcome, but those with great faith can conquer whatever stands in the way. – Mary Kay Ash


152. You Want to Be Your Own Boss


153. For every failure, there’s an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour. – Mary Kay Ash


154. Your attitude determines your altitude.


155. “Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless.” Mary Kay Ash


156. Sandwich every bit of criticism between two heavy layers of praise.


157. “Make every day count. Make every hour count. Make every minute count. And don’t stop until you have exercised your full potential, realizing your impossible dream and fulfilling your total destiny to become the person that you, and only you , are capable of being.”


158. “Every silver lining has a cloud.” – Mary Kay Ash


159. You must develop the ability to know the difference between a real problem and an imaginary one.


160. “No matter how busy you are, you must take the time to make the other person feel important.” – Mary Kay Ash


161. “Recognition is the most powerful of all motivating techniques.”


162. Criticize the act, not the person.


163. “Those who are blessed with the most talent don’t necessarily outperform everyone else. It’s the people with follow-through who excel.” – Mary Kay Ash


164. “Every achievement, big or small, begins in your mind.” – Mary Kay Ash


165. “It’s popular in some circles to dwell upon what’s wrong with America. Certainly we are not a nation without faults, but I believe there is a need today for us all to counter negativism by emphasizing what’s right with America.” – Mary Kay Ash


166. We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. If you don’t know where you’re aiming, you don’t have a goal.


167. Success in many cases is failure turned inside out.


168. “Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless.” – Mary Kay Ash


169. “Within yourself lies everything you ever dreamed of being. Become everything that God wants you to be. It is within your reach.”


170. There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. We all have a choice. You can decide which type of person you want to be. I have always chosen to be in the first group.


171. Expect great things, and great things will happen


172. “When you reach an obstacle, turn it into an opportunity. You have the choice. You can overcome and be a winner, or you can allow it to overcome you and be a loser. The choice is yours and yours alone. Refuse to throw in the towel. Go that extra mile that failures refuse to travel. It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure.”


173. “Productive people are usually so involved in their jobs they don’t have time to complain.” – Mary Kay Ash


174. “A woman could work day and night caring for her family, and the only time she’s likely to hear a comment is if she stops doing it!” – Mary Kay Ash


175. “When you look at any great business enterprise, you’ll find that it’s people who make it excel.” – Mary Kay Ash


176. “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.”


177. God does not ask your ability or your inability. He asks only your availability.


178. Some people… are so caught up in themselves that they fail to realize that the other person wants to feel important too.


179. “Every achievement, big or small, begins in your mind.”


180. When you reach an obstacle, turn it into an opportunity. You have the choice. You can overcome and be a winner, or you can allow it to overcome you and be a loser. The choice is yours and yours alone. Refuse to throw in the towel. Go that extra mile that failures refuse to travel. It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure. – Mary Kay Ash


181. “There’s a big difference between a decisive manager and a tyrant.” – Mary Kay Ash


182. Expect great things and great things will happen. – Mary Kay Ash


183. “I truly believe that a mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.” – Mary Kay Ash


184. “As a leader, you must recognize that everyone needs praise. But it must be given sincerely.” – Mary Kay Ash


185. “Those people blessed with the most talent don’t necessarily outperform everyone else. It’s the people with the follow-through who excel.” – Mary Kay Ash


186. “If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you.” – Mary Kay Ash


187. “Do you know that within your power lies every step you ever dreamed of stepping and within your power lies every joy you ever dreamed of seeing?” – Mary Kay Ash


188. No matter how busy you are, you must take the time to make the other person feel important. – Mary Kay Ash


189. You've got to be honestly convinced that every human being is important.


190. “Be a dreamer. Have a sense of greatness. It has been said that if you can dream it, you can do it. And I believe that. Before your dream can become a reality, you have to see it in your own mind; see its fulfillment, whatever it may be.”


191. Never give up, because you never know if the next try is going to be the one that works. – Mary Kay Ash


192. The definition of successful people is simply ordinary people with extraordinary determination. You cannot keep determined people from success. If you place stumbling blocks in their way, they will use them for stepping-stones and climb to new heights. People who succeed have a goal, a dream and make their plans and follow them. – Mary Kay Ash


193. Aim high enough that you will have to stretch your ability and your potential to reach it. – Mary Kay Ash


194. People fall forward to success. – Mary Kay Ash


195. If you do ask questions and are subtle about it, you are expressing a genuine interest in what the other person has to say.


196. “There are two things people want more than sex and money: recognition and praise.”


197. Recognition is the most powerful of all motivating techniques.


198. “The power of positive motivation in a goal-oriented structure such as ours cannot be overstated.” – Mary Kay Ash


199. “A company is built with people—remove them, and the company’s ability to function effectively is seriously threatened.” – Mary Kay Ash


200. “Begin to build in your mind a dream. The write it down and make your goal realistic.” – Mary Kay Ash


201. I don't think a manager can work with a person day in and day out and not develop some sort of personal relationship. Of course, you must use discretion at all times and never pry.


202. “Sandwich every bit of criticism between two layers of praise.”


203. Never rest on your laurels. Nothing wilts faster than a laurel sat upon. – Mary Kay Ash


204. “For every failure there’s an alternative course of action. you just have to find it.” Mary Kay Ash


205. Leaders make sure that the way to success is always broad enough and straight enough for others to follow.


206. “Many of the problems I hear don’t require me to offer solutions. I solve most of them by just listening and letting the involved party do the talking.”


207. Begin to build in your mind a dream. The write it down and make your goal realistic.


208. Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, 'Make me feel important.'


209. “In a career you either go forward or backward, but you don’t stand still. Everyone must continually improve his or her skills in a lifetime self-improvement program.”


210. “Believe that for every problem God gives you, He will also provide you with a solution.” – Mary Kay Ash


211. You can do anything in this world that you want to do…if you want to do it badly enough and you are willing to pay the price.


212. Everyone has obstacles to overcome, but those with the great faith can conquer whatever stands in the way.


213. Leaders teach. They motivate. They care. Leaders make sure that the way to success is always broad enough and straight enough for others to follow.


214. “Some people drift through their entire life. They do it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. It happens so gradually they are unaware of how their lives are slipping away until it’s too late.” Mary Kay Ash


215. “We are meant to use and increase whatever God has given us. And when we do, we shall be given more.” – Mary Kay Ash


216. A good goal is like a strenuous exercise – it makes you stretch.


217. “Dare to risk public criticism.”


218. Be a go-getter. Give the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you.


219. You Want to Get Out of The Rat Race


220. “I have been very fortunate. Mary Kay has become a large company, and many times, I’ve stood at the head of a long reception line for several hours to shake hands with hundreds of people.” – Mary Kay Ash


221. “In fact, depending on how much you earn, you can afford to pay somebody to do almost anything you don’t like to do.”


222. “Each person whose hand I shake is the most important person in the world to me at that moment.”


223. “Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.” Mary Kay Ash


224. Don't let the negatives of life control you. Rise above them.


225. “A good goal is like a strenuous exercise - it makes you stretch.”


226. “You cannot keep determined people from success.” – Mary Kay Ash


227. “God didn’t have time to make a nobody, only a somebody. I believe that each of us has God-given talents within us waiting to be brought to fruition.”


228. “Do not desire to fit in. Desire to lead.”


229. “The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity.”


230. A manager should feel this way about people, but it's an attitude that can't be faked.


231. The more enjoyment people derive from their work, the better they will produce.


232. In most cases being a good boss means hiring talented people and then getting out of their way.


233. “One of the secrets of success is to refuse to let temporary setbacks defeat us.”


234. “Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, ‘Make me feel important.’ Never forget this message when working with people.”


235. “Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless.”


236. Don’t let the negatives of life control you. Rise above them. Use them as your stepping stones to go higher than you ever dreamed possible. – Mary Kay Ash


237. “I believe everyone in America has countless opportunities. But you cannot sit and wait for those opportunities to come knocking at your door. You have to make things happen.”


238. Before you ever receive the wonderful treasures of a happy life, you must first give. Give of yourself. Be of service to others. Only what you give can be multiplied back into your own life.


239. There are two things people want more than sex and money… recognition and praise. – Mary Kay Ash


240. “Fear is faith that it won’t work.”


241. “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.”


242. “Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try.” – Mary Kay Ash


243. “There are four kinds of people in this world:


244. Before you ever receive the wonderful treasures of a happy life, you must first give. Give of yourself.


245. “A company is only as good as its people.” – Mary Kay Ash


246. Over the years, I have observed that nearly all high achievers know how to make good of those 1440 minutes in each day. – Mary Kay Ash


247. “Just as a fine restaurant extends itself to make its customers feel special, we do everything we can to make our people feel the same way.”


248. “The first step is the hardest – making a commitment to yourself, for yourself.”


249. Think about it, no one can win a race in which he had given up. You can’t win a battle for which you have surrendered. – Mary Kay Ash


250. A strong beginning is a good thing only when coupled with a strong finish. – Mary Kay Ash


251. No sooner does one tell a joke than the other person matches him. Neither one listens to the other, because they're both too busy getting their next joke ready.


252. “We all have the same 24 hours a day. You ever stop to think about that? But how we use that 24 hours makes the difference between success and failure.” – Mary Kay Ash


253. I believe every person has the ability to achieve something important, and with that in mind I regard everyone as special.


254. “Being adaptable to change is an admirable quality in anyone — male or female — who hopes to succeed in business. Nevertheless, I believe that change is not necessarily progress. Change for the sake of change may improve nothing but your chance of being disappointed.” – Mary Kay Ash


255. “Believe in yourself and know that you can do anything in this world that you want to do if you want to do it badly enough and you are willing to travel the road.“- Mary Kay Ash


256. “Success, in many cases, is failure turned inside out.” – Mary Kay Ash


257. Recognition is the most powerful of all motivating techniques. – Mary Kay Ash


258. “I know what it’s like to spend an entire day in the field and come home without a single order.” – Mary Kay Ash


259. Frankly, I think it means more for a woman to be recognized by her peers onstage than to receive an expensive present in the mail that nobody knows about!


260. “Before your dream can become a reality, you have to see it in your own mind; see its fulfillment, whatever it may be.” – Mary Kay Ash


261. “We treat our people like royalty.” – Mary Kay Ash


262. “Praise is an incredibly effective motivator; unfortunately, many managers are reluctant to employ it.” – Mary Kay Ash


263. “Everyone has obstacles to overcome, but those with great faith can conquer whatever stands in the way.” – Mary Kay Ash


264. “Before you ever receive the wonderful treasures of a happy life, you must first give. Give of yourself.”


265. Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.


266. Never, absolutely never, compromise your principles. – Mary Kay Ash


267. Those who are blessed with the most talent don’t necessarily outperform everyone else. It’s the people with follow-through who excel. – Mary Kay Ash


268. “God first, then family, then career.” Mary Kay Ash


269. A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.


270. “I’ve often said that we are doing something far more important than just selling cosmetics; we are changing lives.” – Mary Kay Ash


271. “A good leader knows that it’s his job to help others within the organization. He also knows that the best way to help others is by making them strong — so they can help themselves. In fact, if you help people to the point where they become dependent on you, you’re likely to end up hurting them — and they’ll resent you for it!” – Mary Kay Ash


272. Aim high enough that you will have to stretch your ability and your potential to reach it.


273. You cannot keep determined people from success. If you place stumbling blocks in their way, they will use them for stepping stones and climb to new heights. – Mary Kay Ash


274. “The speed of the leader is the speed of the gang."


275. “There is a way; Up, Around, Over or Through”


276. “A leader has two important characteristics; first she is going somewhere; second, she is able to persuade others to go with her.” – Mary Kay Ash


277. People often resist change when they don’t participate in the decision-making process. Some of the best leaders ‘plant the seed’ that permits others to propose the idea and take credit for it! – Mary Kay Ash


278. People who succeed have a goal, a dream and make their plans and follow them. – Mary Kay Ash


279. Dare to grow into your dreams and claim this as your motto: Let it be me. – Mary Kay Ash


280. “Leaders make sure that the way to success is always broad enough and straight enough for others to follow.” – Mary Kay Ash


281. “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe remember you can achieve.”


282. “How does a leader make people feel important? First, by listening to them. Let them know you respect their thinking, and let them voice their opinions.” – Mary Kay Ash


283. Every silver lining has a cloud.


284. “You cannot keep determined people from success.” Mary Kay Ash


285. God didn’t have time to create a nobody, just a somebody. I believe that each of us has God given talents within us waiting to be brought to fruition. Each person is unique and special. – Mary Kay Ash


286. “A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.”


287. “Be of service to others. Only what you give can be multiplied back into your own life.” – Mary Kay Ash


288. Faith is belief that it will come true.


289. “While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence, which I believe, does make the woman.” – Mary Kay Ash


290. I know what it's like to spend an entire day in the field and come home without a single order.


291. Never give up, because you never know if the next try is going to be the one that works.” – Mary Kay Ash


292. “Every person should have a lifetime self-improvement program.”


293. “I believe that you should praise people whenever you can; It causes them to respond as a thirsty plant responds to water.” Mary Kay Ash


294. “Bear in mind that beauty is individual and personal, that the look and feeling you’re after is one with which you can be comfortable each and every day of your life.”


295. When you reach an obstacle, turn it into an opportunity. You have the choice. You can overcome and be a winner, or you can allow it to overcome you and be a loser. The choice is yours and yours alone.


296. “The definition of successful people is simply ordinary people with extraordinary determination.” – Mary Kay Ash


297. “The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity. Eliminate the negative attitude and believe you can do anything.” Mary Kay Ash


298. Give yourself something to work toward – constantly.


299. Although many companies have the opportunity to listen to their sales force, they fail to do so.


300. “Dare to grow into your dreams and claim this as your motto: Let it be me.”


301. “While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence, which, I believe, does make the woman.”


302. “You can do anything in this world that you want to do…if you want to do it badly enough and you are willing to pay the price.” – Mary Kay Ash


303. The human mind is incredible. And, for that matter, so are the minds of all living creatures. God programmed a tiny spider, for instance, to weave a web. He programmed a salmon to swim thousands of miles upstream to the exact location where it was hatched. If the brains of spiders and salmon can be programmed to perform such feats, imagine what capability of the human brain can achieve.


304. “I believe everyone in America has countless opportunities. But you cannot sit and wait for those opportunities to come knocking at your door. You have to make things happen.” – Mary Kay Ash


305. God didn’t have time to create a nobody – just a somebody. I believe that each of us has God-given talents within us waiting to be brought into fruition.


306. The faintest ink is better than the most retentive memory.


307. God does not ask your ability or your inability. He asks only your availability. – Mary Kay Ash


308. True leaders establish success patterns that make everyone think success. – Mary Kay Ash


309. Left unattended, problems only intensify. – Mary Kay Ash


310. “If you're good to your staff when things are going well, they'll rally when times go bad.”


311. Do you know that within your power lies every step you ever dreamed of stepping and within your power lies every joy you ever dreamed of seeing?


312. “Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don’t keep it a secret.”


313. Think about it, no one can win a race in which he had given up. You can’t win a battle for which you have surrendered.


314. In a career you either go forward or backward, but you don’t stand still. Everyone must continually improve his or her skills in a lifetime self-improvement program. – Mary Kay Ash


315. Every achievement, Big or Small, begins in your mind.


316. “In my experience, the more people enjoy their work, the more energy they have to put into it!” – Mary Kay Ash


317. “The only true failure is the person who gives up.”


318. While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence, which, I believe, does make the woman.


319. You'll find numerous occasions for genuine praise if you'll only look for them. So give. Praise does not thrive in secret! Nor do we.


320. “What you believe, you can achieve.”


321. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. – Mary Kay Ash


322. The first step is the hardest – making a commitment to yourself, for yourself.


323. I always greet our employees with a warm ‘Hi! How are you?’ When a new employee answers, ‘Uh, pretty good. How are you, Mary Kay?’ I’ll say, ‘You’re not just good, you’re great!’ Each time I see him or her afterward, he or she will say, ‘I’m great!’ and the smile will get bigger and bigger. If you act enthusiastic, you become enthusiastic – and it spreads like wildfire!


324. Goals should be slightly out of reach to be of maximum value.


325. Leaders teach. They motivate. They care. Leaders make sure that the way to success is always broad enough and straight enough for others to follow. – Mary Kay Ash


326. People change and even products change. But over the course of time it’s the strength of a company’s philosophy that will determine whether or not it endures. – Mary Kay Ash


327. “God first, family second, career third.”


328. While we believe there are four elements in a successful publication—recognition, information, education, and inspiration—our No. 1 purpose is recognition.


329. “You can go as far as your mind lets you.”


330. “Do what you should do when you need to do them so someday, you can do what you want to do, when you want to do them.” – Mary Kay Ash


331. “High morale is a significant factor in increasing productivity, which means that a good leader should continually strive to boos the self-esteem of every individual in his or her organization.” – Mary Kay Ash


332. Every achievement, big or small, begins in your mind. – Mary Kay Ash


333. Make people who work for you feel important. If you honor and serve them, they’ll honor and serve you. – Mary Kay Ash


334. Real leaders aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. – Mary Kay Ash


335. “And I understand the feelings a Sales Director has when she has spent weeks of love and care training a new unit member only to have that person quit before she even starts.” – Mary Kay Ash


336. Integrity is the ingredient that will enable you to forge rapidly ahead on the highway that leads to success. It advertises you as being an individual who will always come through. Whatever you say you will do, do it even if you have to move heaven and earth.


337. “The only difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is extraordinary determination.”


338. If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you.


339. “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.”


340. “The most important justification for being in business is service to others.”


341. Don’t let the negatives of life control you. Rise above them. Use them as your stepping stones to go higher than you ever dreamed.


342. “Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try.”


343. Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist


344. People often resist change when they don’t participate in the decision-making process. Some of the best leaders ‘plant the seed’ that permits others to propose the idea and take credit for it!


345. “People are happiest when they have goals, small and large, because they can look forward to attaining them.”


346. Nobody wins ‘em all. If you come down on them too hard for losing, they’ll stop sticking their necks out. – Mary Kay Ash


347. “Sandwich every bit of criticism between two layers of praise.” – Mary Kay Ash


348. A laurel rested upon becomes wilted.


349. “I believe every person has the ability to achieve something important, and with that in mind, I regard everyone as special.” – Mary Kay Ash


350. For every failure, there's an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.


351. “When everybody is motivated to serve others, everybody benefits.”


352. Work like it depends on you


353. “Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway.”


354. Hope is wishing for something to come true. Faith is belief that it will come true. Believe that for every problem God gives you, He will also provide you with a solution. – Mary Kay Ash


355. Be a giver, not a getter. See for the good in everyone, and everything. Do at least one good deed every day, one that you don’t have to do. – Mary Kay Ash


356. “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right.”


357. “Be a giver, not a getter. See for the good in everyone, and everything. Do at least one good deed every day, one that you don’t have to do.” – Mary Kay Ash


358. Forcing myself to think positively did wonders for my spirit. I was able to overcome the discontent inside me, and my old enthusiasm slowly returned. – Mary Kay Ash


359. “Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.” – Mary Kay Ash


360. “Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise.” – Mary Kay Ash


361. God first, then family, then career


362. “Never forget, your family should always have priority over your work.” – Mary Kay Ash


363. An average person with average talents and average ambition can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society; if that person has clear focused goals. – Mary Kay Ash


364. “A company is only as good as the people it keeps.”


365. “When it comes to hiring people, a company gets what it pays for.” – Mary Kay Ash


366. Just how far a manager should go in discussing an employee's personal problems is something only the individuals involved can determine.


367. “The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity.” – Mary Kay Ash


368. “I put a lot of emphasis on how to treat people. The reason for this is simple. The real success of our personal lives and careers can best be measured by the relationships we have with the people most dear to us – our family, friends, and coworkers. If we fail in this aspect of our lives, no matter how vast our worldly possessions or how high on the corporate ladder we climb, we will have achieved very little.”


369. It's interesting to note how some people discount praise. In fact, one of our own male executives frequently says, 'Praise is great, but I don't personally need it.'


370. The seeds you plant in the hearts and minds of others will be what you receive in return – 100-fold. Only sow that which you wish to receive in return. Sow good, receive good! Plant seeds daily in your Mary Kay business and your Mary Kay business will return to you. – Mary Kay Ash


371. Remember, if you do the things you ought to do when you ought to do them, then someday you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them…Whatever you do or dream you can do—begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. – Mary Kay Ash


372. “People also can be distracted by their own petty prejudices. For instance, a person may use profanity or some expression that you don’t like.” – Mary Kay Ash


373. Sometimes listening by itself may not be enough; some people must be prodded if you are to find out what they're thinking.


374. I was taught to put my best into anything I did and I can honestly say I’ve always done that. Still, there are many times when I failed, when I was disappointed. – Mary Kay Ash


375. “Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise.”


376. “Before you ever receive the wonderful treasures of a happy life, you must first give. Give of yourself. Be of service to others. Only what you give can be multiplied back into your own life.”


377. Be of service to others. Only what you give can be multiplied back into your own life.


378. Some of the most successful leaders are also the best listeners. I remember one in particular. He had been hired by a large corporation to assume the role of sales manager. But he knew absolutely nothing about the specifics of the business.


379. Before your dream can become a reality, you have to see it in your own mind; see its fulfillment, whatever it may be.


380. Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless. – Mary Kay Ash


381. “Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try.” Mary Kay Ash


382. A strong beginning is a good thing only when coupled with a strong finish.


383. Those people blessed with the most talent don’t necessarily outperform everyone else. It’s the people with the follow-through who excel.


384. “In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia.”


385. Make every day count. Make every hour count. Make every minute count. And don’t stop until you have exercised your full potential, realizing your impossible dream and fulfilling your total destiny to become the person that you, and only you , are capable of being. – Mary Kay Ash


386. We are meant to use and increase whatever God has given us. And when we do, we shall be given more. – Mary Kay Ash


387. Opportunities have always and will always be around. You simply have to take advantage of them. – Mary Kay Ash


388. “Opportunities have always and will always be around. You simply have to take advantage of them.” – Mary Kay Ash


389. “The greatest polution problem we face today is negativity. ”


390. “It’s possible that some women have a more difficult time handling criticism than do men. Some just take criticism more personally.”


391. “Criticize the act, not the person.”


392. You never really fail until you stop wanting. – Mary Kay Ash


393. Remember, if you do the things you out to do when you ought to do them, then someday you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them…whatever you do or dream you can do – begin it.


394. An average person with average talents and ambition and average education, can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society, if that person has clear, focused goals.


395. The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity.


396. Each person whose hand I shake is the most important person in the world at that moment.


397. “God does not ask your ability Or your inability. He asks only your availability.”


398. “The successful person is really just an efficient person with determination, who works less but gets more done through effective time management.” – Mary Kay Ash


399. What’s so inspirational about Parsons is that he was once a vulnerable young person in need of support himself, having experienced a difficult childhood and a lack of school support. Today, he’s in charge of a company of more than 155 people.


400. People who succeed have a goal, a dream and make their plans and follow them.


401. Your attitude determines your altitude. It really is true that If you think you can, you can; and if you think you can’t – you’re right. – Mary Kay Ash


402. The first step is the hardest – making a commitment to yourself, for yourself. – Mary Kay Ash


403. There is a way; Up, Around, Over or Through. – Mary Kay Ash


404. “Each person whose hand I shake is the most important person in the world to me at that moment.” – Mary Kay Ash


405. “Bear in mind that beauty is individual and personal, that the look and feeling you’re after is one with which you can be comfortable each and every day of your life.” – Mary Kay Ash


406. Each of us wants to feel good about himself or herself, but to me it is just as important to make others feel the same way. – Mary Kay Ash


407. Our company was begun with only one objective and that is to give women the chance to succeed; an opportunity that simply did not exist in the 60s.


408. “The first step is the hardest — making the commitment to yourself, for yourself.”


409. It's unfortunate that most of us go to our graves with our music still unplayed!


410. If you have an idea and I have an idea – then we EACH have JUST ONE idea…but if you share your idea with me and I do the same…we EACH have TWO ideas! – Mary Kay Ash


411. “There are two things people want more than sex and money: recognition and praise.” – Mary Kay Ash


412. My goal in life is to live my life in such a way that when I dies, someone can say, she cared.


413. In order to grow and progress in the sales force, you don't move upward; you expand outward.


414. “A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.” Mary Kay Ash


415. “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.”


416. Do not desire to fit in. Desire to lead. – Mary Kay Ash


417. “Fake it till you make it.” Mary Kay Ash


418. “Success, in many cases, is failure turned inside out.” Mary Kay Ash


419. Let people know that you appreciate their performance and they will respond by doing even better.


420. “Good people managers are likely to listen more than they speak. Perhaps that’s why we were given two ears and only one mouth.” – Mary Kay Ash


421. Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist. – Mary Kay Ash


422. People who succeed have a goal, a dream, and make their plans and follow them.


423. “When a Mary Kay Sales Director drives a pink Cadillac, she is recognized as a person who has done an outstanding job. It signifies that she is very important to our organization.” – Mary Kay Ash


424. By listening to people in the field, we're able to develop products that are the direct result of demands from customers.


425. “Never forget, your family should always have priority over your work.”


426. Sandwich every bit of criticism between two layers of praise. – Mary Kay Ash


427. I've already told you how I once waited in a long reception line to shake hands with the company's sales manager, only to have him treat me as if I didn't exist.


428. “Even the smallest achievements pave a way to great success.” – Mary Kay Ash


429. “An average person with average talents and average ambition can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society; if that person has clear focused goals.” – Mary Kay Ash


430. In my experience, the more people enjoy their work, the more energy they have to put into it! – Mary Kay Ash


431. “A good goal is like a strenuous exercise – it makes you stretch.” Mary Kay Ash


432. A plant manager, for instance, should never berate a foreman in front of assembly-line workers.


433. “People are happiest when they have goals, small and large, because they can look forward to attaining them.” – Mary Kay Ash


434. “We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. If you don’t know where you’re aiming, you don’t have a goal. My goal is to live my life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, she cared.” – Mary Kay Ash


435. You cannot keep determined people from success. If you place stumbling blocks in their way, they will use them for stepping stones and climb to new heights.


436. You see, life to me is no brief candles. It’s a splendid torch, and I want to burn it brightly before I pass it on to future generations.


437. There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. We all have a choice. You can decide which type of person you want to be. I have always chosen to be in the first group. – Mary Kay Ash


438. “We fall forward to succeed.” – Mary Kay Ash


439. Those who are blessed with the most talent don't necessarily outperform everyone else. It's the people with follow-through who excel.


440. “The speed of the leader is the speed of the gang.” Mary Kay Ash


441. “Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.'” – Mary Kay Ash


442. It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure.


443. “I’ve never yet met a person who didn’t want to be appreciated.”


444. People are happiest when they have goals, small and large, because they can look forward to attaining them. – Mary Kay Ash


445. “The only true failure is the person who gives up.” – Mary Kay Ash


446. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.


447. Believe in yourself and know that you can do anything in this world that you want to do if you want to do it badly enough and you are willing to travel the road.


448. Give yourself something to work toward – constantly. – Mary Kay Ash


449. Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don't keep it a secret.


450. “If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you.”


451. Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway.


452. People will support that which they help to create.


453. “Productive people are usually so involved in their jobs they don’t have time to complain.”


454. Hope is wishing for something to come true.


455. When you listen, the benefit is twofold: You receive the necessary information, and you make the other person feel important. – Mary Kay Ash


456. Make every day count. Make every hour count. Make every minute count. And don’t stop until you have exercised your full potential, realizing your impossible dream and fulfilling your total destiny to become the person that you, and only you, are capable of being.


457. People also feel important when they're given responsibility. But responsibility without authority can destroy a person's self-esteem.


458. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.


459. “Outstanding businesses are composed of outstanding people.” – Mary Kay Ash


460. We need leaders who add value to the people and the organization they lead; who work for the benefit of others and not just for their own personal gain; inspire and motivate rather than intimidate and manipulate; who live with people to know their problems and live with God in order to solve them; and who follow a moral compass that points in the right direction regardless of the trends.


461. Dare to risk public criticism


462. “Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.”


463. “It’s Pollyannaish not to express your feelings when someone has done something wrong. But it must be done tactfully; otherwise, your criticism will be destructive.”


464. “The real success of our personal lives and careers can best be measured by the relationships we have with the people most dear to us — our family, friends, and coworkers. If we fail in this aspect of our lives, no matter how vast our worldly possessions or how high on the corporate ladder we climb, we will have achieved very little.” – Mary Kay Ash


465. It's not only self-defeating to criticize someone in front of others, it's also downright cruel.


466. “Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise.” Mary Kay Ash


467. “My goal in life is to live my life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, she cared”


468. In fact, depending on how much you earn, you can afford to pay somebody to do almost anything you don’t like to do. – Mary Kay Ash


469. “People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn’t make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps.”


470. Every person should have a lifetime self-improvement program. – Mary Kay Ash


471. “There are two things people want more than sex & money... recognition and praise.”


472. What’s interesting about subscribing to a life of giving is that you become addicted. – Mary Kay Ash


473. We fall forward to succeed.


474. “There is a way; Up, Around, Over or Through.”


475. “Before your dream can become a reality, you have to see it in your own mind; see its fulfillment, whatever it may be.”


476. I’ve never yet met a person who didn’t want to be appreciated… – Mary Kay Ash


477. Good leaders are good listeners.


478. A good goal is like a strenuous exercise – it makes you stretch. – Mary Kay Ash


479. “Be a dreamer. Have a sense of greatness. It has been said that if you can dream it, you can do it. And I believe that.”


480. You can have anything in this world you want, if you want it badly enough and you’re willing to pay the price.


481. “If you’re afraid to fail then you’re probably going to fail.”Kobe Bryant


482. You cannot keep determined people from success. If you place stumbling blocks in their way, they will use them for stepping-stones and climb to new heights.


483. “Just as a fine restaurant extends itself to make its customers feel special, we do everything we can to make our people feel the same way.” – Mary Kay Ash


484. Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless.


485. “Give yourself something to work toward constantly.” Mary Kay Ash


486. “There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wondered what happened.” – Mary Kay Ash


487. You are the only boss you have. And I want you to be the most demanding boss that you can be.


488. “Never give up, because you never know if the next try is going to be the one that works.” Mary Kay Ash


489. “It’s not only self-defeating to criticize someone in front of others, it’s also downright cruel.” – Mary Kay Ash


490. People will support that which they help to create. – Mary Kay Ash


491. “Even the smallest achievements pave a way to great success.”


492. Be a dreamer. Have a sense of greatness. It has been said that if you can dream it, you can do it. And I believe that. – Mary Kay Ash


493. “A manager should feel this way about people, but it’s an attitude that can’t be faked.” – Mary Kay Ash


494. One of the secrets of success is to refuse to let temporary setbacks defeat us."


495. “When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.”


496. Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life. – Mary Kay Ash


497. “Left unattended, problems only intensify.” – Mary Kay Ash


498. A risk-taking environment starts at the top of a corporation. If the CEO doesn’t have this spirit, chances are you won’t find it anywhere else in the organization. – Mary Kay Ash


499. “I failed forward to success. I truly believe that life is a series of many attempts and many failures before we realize success. The important thing is to keep on trying.” – Mary Kay Ash


500. The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity. Eliminate the negative attitude and believe you can do anything. Replace ‘if I can’ or ‘I hope’ or ‘maybe’ with ‘I can,’ ‘i will’ and ‘I must”.


501. Even the smallest achievements pave a way to great success. – Mary Kay Ash


502. “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” Mary Kay Ash


503. “Be a dreamer. Have a sense of greatness. It has been said that if you can dream it, you can do it. And I believe that. Before your dream can become a reality, you have to see it in your own mind; see its fulfilment, whatever it may be.” Mary Kay Ash


504. It's Pollyannaish not to express your feelings when someone has done something wrong. But it must be done tactfully; otherwise, your criticism will be destructive.


505. “Frankly, I think it means more for a woman to be recognized by her peers onstage than to receive an expensive present in the mail that nobody knows about!” – Mary Kay Ash


506. The speed of the leader is the speed of the gang. – Mary Kay Ash


507. “Expect great things, and great things will happen.” – Mary Kay Ash


508. If you give nothing, even if it is multiplied, you receive nothing.


509. Over the years, I have observed that nearly all high achievers know how to make good of those 1440 minutes in each day.


510. Outstanding businesses are composed of outstanding people.


511. Each of us wants to feel good about himself or herself, but to me it is just as important to make others feel the same way.


512. A woman who will tell her age will tell anything.


513. Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don’t keep it a secret.


514. To me, P and L doesn’t only mean profit and loss – it also means people and love. – Mary Kay Ash


515. “You are the only boss you have. And I want you to be the most demanding boss that you can be.” – Mary Kay Ash


516. God didn’t have time to make a nobody, only a somebody.


517. “Sandwich every bit of criticism between two heavy layers of praise.”


518. My experience with people is that they generally do what you expect them to do!


519. “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.” Mary Kay Ash


520. “Those who are blessed with the most talent don’t necessarily outperform everyone else. It’s the people with follow-through who excel.”


521. Never give up, because you never know if the next try is going to be the one that works.


522. People are definitely a company's greatest asset. It doesn't make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps.


523. “No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important.” Mary Kay Ash


524. “The first step is the hardest – making a commitment to yourself, for yourself.” Mary Kay Ash


525. Applause is a powerful form of praise.


526. “Refuse to throw in the towel. Go that extra mile.” Mary Kay Ash


527. “It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure.”


528. Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.


529. It's possible that some women have a more difficult time handling criticism than do men. Some just take criticism more personally.


530. We didn’t set the world on fire from the first day. Disappointments, setbacks and work created the company as it is today. – Mary Kay Ash


531. When a Mary Kay Sales Director drives a pink Cadillac, she is recognized as a person who has done an outstanding job. It signifies that she is very important to our organization.


532. I don't think it's ever appropriate for a manager to criticize an individual. Not that criticism should never be given; there are times when a manager must communicate dissatisfaction.


533. “If you do ask questions and are subtle about it, you are expressing a genuine interest in what the other person has to say.” – Mary Kay Ash


534. “God did not have time to make a nobody, so you’re a somebody.”


535. Many of the problems I hear don't require me to offer solutions. I solve most of them by just listening and letting the involved party do the talking.


536. Just as a fine restaurant extends itself to make its customers feel special, we do everything we can to make our people feel the same way.


537. I've often said that we are doing something far more important than just selling cosmetics; we are changing lives.


538. Before you ever receive the wonderful treasures of a happy life, you must first give. Give of yourself. Be of service to others. Only what you give can be multiplied back into your own life. That is the law of the harvest, the law of the ten-fold return. If you give nothing, even if it is multiplied, you receive nothing. – Mary Kay Ash


539. “When you look at any great business enterprise, you’ll find that it’s people who make it excel. Outstanding businesses are composed of outstanding people.” – Mary Kay Ash


540. “The annals of American business are filled with “impossible dreams” that have come true. I believe in those dreams, and most importantly, I believe in my dream.” – Mary Kay Ash


541. “Sometimes listening by itself may not be enough; some people must be prodded if you are to find out what they’re thinking.” – Mary Kay Ash


542. “Even the smallest achievements pave a way to great success.” Mary Kay Ash


543. “Frankly, I think it means more for a woman to be recognized by her peers onstage than to receive an expensive present in the mail that nobody knows about!”


544. “If you are an entrepreneur planning to start your own company, I can’t think of a better place to begin than by operating your business by the Golden Rule. Make this a high priority; never make a decision that contradicts the Gold Rule.” – Mary Kay Ash


545. “You can eat an elephant one bit at a time.”


546. “Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway.”


547. “Give yourself something to work toward – constantly.”


548. “Sandwich every bit of criticism between two heavy layers of praise.” – Mary Kay Ash


549. “God first, then family, then career.” – Mary Kay Ash


550. Every person is special! I sincerely believe this.


551. Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.


552. “You cannot keep determined people from success. If you place stumbling blocks in their way, they will use them for stepping stones and climb to new heights.”


553. While clothes do not make a woman, they certainly have a strong affect on her self-confidence – which, I believe, does make the woman.


554. “People fall forward to success.” Mary Kay Ash


555. “Make every day count.


556. Many women have made a mistake by changing their belief to accommodate their work. It must be the other way round.


557. “Never rest on your laurels. Nothing wilts faster than a laurel sat upon.”


558. God didn't have time to make a nobody, only a somebody. I believe that each of us has God-given talents within us waiting to be brought to fruition.


559. Never forget, your family should always have priority over your work.


560. In my view, the people who are the most successful are those who have helped the most people grow. – Mary Kay Ash


561. Unlike many people who start a new business, money was not my prime motivation – not that I was so well off that it wasn’t a consideration; in fact, I had put my lifetime savings on the line. – Mary Kay Ash


562. Each of us craves to be recognized.


563. You Want to Explore Unlimited Possibilities of Earning


564. I believe that work if often the best antidote for grief. – Mary Kay Ash


565. “For every failure, there’s an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.”


566. Dare to grow into your dreams and claim this as your motto: Let it be me.


567. “Some of the most successful leaders are also the best listeners. I remember one in particular. He had been hired by a large corporation to assume the role of sales manager. But he knew absolutely nothing about the specifics of the business.” – Mary Kay Ash


568. “I don’t think it’s ever appropriate for a manager to criticize an individual. Not that criticism should never be given; there are times when a manager must communicate dissatisfaction.” – Mary Kay Ash


569. The more enjoyment people derive from their work, the better they will produce. – Mary Kay Ash


570. “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” – Mary Kay Ash


571. “The more enjoyment people derive from their work, the better they will produce.”


572. “God didn’t have time to make a nobody, only a somebody.” – Mary Kay Ash


573. The most important justification for being in business is service to others. Every new business must be built upon the premise, since wanting to make money or desiring to ‘dabble’ in a favorite pastime are not enough to sustain such a venture. The business must fulfill a need. – Mary Kay Ash


574. Faith is a twenty-four hour a day commitment. – Mary Kay Ash


575. You can do anything in this world that you want to do, if you want to do it badly enough and you are willing to pay the price. Often during my childhood, I heard those words from my mother, always urging me on to greater heights! They became so firmly implanted in my mind that they became the theme of my childhood and of my life. – Mary Kay Ash


576. “Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.”


577. “Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, "Make me feel important." Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.”


578. “Don’t let the negatives of life control you. Rise above them. Use them as your stepping stones to go higher than you ever dreamed possible.”


579. Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless. – Mary Kay Ash


580. Its what’s inside of you that determines whether or not you achieve the success that you want in your life.


581. “One of the secrets of success is to refuse to let temporary setbacks defeat us.” – Mary Kay Ash


582. Throw out the words, ‘if I can’, ‘I hope’, and ‘maybe’, and replace them with ‘I can, I will, I must’.


583. Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try.


584. “The most important justification for being in business is service to others.” – Mary Kay Ash


585. “Hope is wishing for something to come true.” – Mary Kay Ash


586. “It’s interesting to not that the word enthusiasm comes from a Greek origin meaning “God within.” Similarly, enthusiasm must begin within you; when you are consumed with enthusiasm, those around you cannot help but respond in kind.” – Mary Kay Ash


587. “Making people feel important is precisely what a leader is paid for — because making people feel important motivates them to do better work.” – Mary Kay Ash


588. “Work like it all depends on you and pray like it all depends on Him!” – Mary Kay Ash


589. Real leaders aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.


590. I believe that failing to hear what your people are saying indicates gross negligence in a manager.


591. “Within yourself lies everything you’ve ever dreamed of being.” Mary Kay Ash


592. “We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. If you don’t know where you’re aiming, you don’t have a goal.” Mary Kay Ash


593. “Everyone wears a sign that says "Make me feel important”


594. Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.


595. “Before you ever receive the wonderful treasures of a happy life, you must first give. Give of yourself.” – Mary Kay Ash


596. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles


597. “Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass.”


598. “Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.” – Mary Kay Ash


599. “I believe every person has the ability to achieve something important, and with that in mind I regard everyone as special.” – Mary Kay Ash


600. “Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.”


601. Believe in yourself and know that you can do anything in this world that you want to do if you want to do it badly enough and you are willing to travel the road. Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass. – Mary Kay Ash


602. Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise. – Mary Kay Ash


603. “No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important.” – Mary Kay Ash


604. “Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.” – Mary Kay Ash


605. I believe that you should praise people whenever you can; it causes them to respond as a thirsty plant responds to water. – Mary Kay Ash


606. “Fake it till you make it.”


607. Each of us is important, and a good leader can bring these seeds to fruition!


608. Individuals sometimes feel insignificant and doubt that one person can really make a difference in this world. Well, believe me, one person can. – Mary Kay Ash


609. Nothing happens until somebody sells something! – Mary Kay Ash


610. “It must be remembered that not only the company’s good health but also its very survival is dependent on its profitability. And while many companies are indeed very philanthropic, the support given to civic and charitable causes is directly contingent upon the ability to operate efficiently as a business.” – Mary Kay Ash


611. “You cannot keep determined people from success. If you place stumbling blocks in their way, they will use them for stepping stones and climb to new heights.” – Mary Kay Ash


612. If you're good to your staff when things are going well, they'll rally when times go bad.


613. “Dare to grow into your dreams and claim this as your motto: Let it be me.” – Mary Kay Ash


614. In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia. – Mary Kay Ash


615. “Hope is wishing for something to come true. Faith is belief that it will come true. Believe that for every problem God gives you, He will also provide you with a solution.”


616. “In my view, the people who are the most successful are those who have helped the most people grow.” – Mary Kay Ash


617. Believe that for every problem God gives you, He will also provide you with a solution.


618. My definition of happiness is having something to do what you love to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to. – Mary Kay Ash


619. Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, ‘Make me feel important.’ Never forget this message when working with people.


620. You cannot keep determined people from success.


621. “Leaders make sure that the way to success is always broad enough and straight enough for others to follow.”


622. “The power of positive motivation in a goal-oriented structure such as ours cannot be overstated.”


623. “There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened.”


624. You Want To Unleash Your Creative Potential


625. “Give yourself something to work toward -- constantly.”


626. “While we believe there are four elements in a successful publication—recognition, information, education, and inspiration—our No. 1 purpose is recognition.” – Mary Kay Ash


627. “Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.”


628. You are the only boss you have. And I want you to be the most demanding boss that you can be. If you really want to make a success of this business, then you must put yourself on a schedule. – Mary Kay Ash


629. For most women, the last bit of applause they received was when they graduated from high school or college.


630. There is a way; Up, Around, Over or Through


631. Sometimes it seems that the only women who are applauded are beauty queens and movie stars.


632. Fear is faith that it won’t work. – Mary Kay Ash


633. “What the world thinks of me is none of my business.”


634. A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one. – Mary Kay Ash


635. People change and even products change. But over the course of time it’s the strength of a company’s philosophy that will determine whether or not it endures.


636. “Watching women achieve their dreams is the thing that keeps me inspired.” – Mary Kay Ash


637. “I believe every person has the ability to achieve something important, and with that in mind I regard everyone as special. A manager should feel this way about people, but it’s an attitude that can’t be faked. You’ve got to be honestly convinced that every human being is important.”


638. “An average person with average talents and average ambition can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society; if that person has clear focused goals.”


639. “I have learned to imagine an invisible sign around each person's neck that says 'Make me feel important'.”


640. Praise is an incredibly effective motivator; unfortunately, many managers are reluctant to employ it.


641. We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. If you don’t know where you’re aiming, you don’t have a goal. My goal is to live my life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, she cared. – Mary Kay Ash


642. In business everything is subject to change – people, products, buildings, machinery, everything – except principles. To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, in matters of principle, stand like a rock; in other matters, swim with the current. So, while I strongly advocate flexibility, when it comes to principles we must stand firm. – Mary Kay Ash


643. “Hope is wishing for something to come true. Faith is belief that it will come true. Believe that for every problem God gives you, He will also provide you with a solution.” – Mary Kay Ash


644. “You are the only boss you have. And I want you to be the most demanding boss that you can be. If you really want to make a success of this business, then you must put yourself on a schedule.”


645. “Be a dreamer. Have a sense of greatness. It has been said that if you can dream it, you can do it. And I believe that.” – Mary Kay Ash


646. “I don’t think a manager can work with a person day in and day out and not develop some sort of personal relationship. Of course, you must use discretion at all times and never pry.” – Mary Kay Ash


647. Don’t limit yourself. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve.


648. “I truly believe that decent people are far more likely to succeed in business than scoundrels and bullies. A leader who mistreats people will end up managing a workforce of unmotivated, unhappy, negative people. And as their leader, he just isn’t going to make it!” – Mary Kay Ash


649. I have been very fortunate. Mary Kay has become a large company, and many times, I've stood at the head of a long reception line for several hours to shake hands with hundreds of people.


650. “A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.” – Mary Kay Ash


651. Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve. – Mary Kay Ash


652. Be a dreamer. Have a sense of greatness. It has been said that if you can dream it, you can do it. And I believe that. Before your dream can become a reality, you have to see it in your own mind; see its fulfillment, whatever it may be. – Mary Kay Ash


653. “When you come to a roadblock, take a detour”


654. “My goal in life is to live my life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, she cared.”


655. “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't you're right.'


656. We treat our people like royalty. If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you.


657. Productive people are usually so involved in their jobs they don’t have time to complain. – Mary Kay Ash


658. Go that extra mile that failures refuse to travel.


659. “A good goal is like a strenuous exercise – it makes you stretch.”


660. “Some people drift through their entire life. They do it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. It happens so gradually they are unaware of how their lives are slipping away until it’s too late.”


661. Some people drift through their entire life. They do it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. It happens so gradually they are unaware of how their lives are slipping away until it’s too late. – Mary Kay Ash


662. It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure. – Mary Kay Ash


663. It is important for you to have a goal. You simply can’t get there if you don’t know where you are going. Begin to build in your mind a dream. The write it down and make your goal realistic. Aim high enough that you will have to stretch your ability and your potential to reach it. – Mary Kay Ash


664. “I believe that failing to hear what your people are saying indicates gross negligence in a manager.” – Mary Kay Ash

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