Response Strategies: Insight, Action, and Biblical Wisdom
Zig Ziglar's powerful quote about the importance of preparation before action - listening, thinking, waiting, forgiving, and trying - emerged from his years of experience as a motivational speaker.
Zig Ziglar, one of the world's most influential motivational speakers, shared this quote during one of his seminars in the late 1980s. The quote emerged from his observation of how people often rush to judgment and action without proper preparation. Having overcome significant personal challenges early in his life, including the loss of his father at a young age and initial career struggles, Ziglar developed these principles through years of experience in sales and personal development training. This particular sequence of wisdom became one of his most quoted teachings because it perfectly encapsulates his philosophy of thoughtful, measured responses rather than impulsive reactions.
To put this quote into action, start by practicing active listening in your daily conversations - put your phone away, maintain eye contact, and truly focus on understanding others rather than preparing your response. When facing challenges, take a deliberate pause before responding; even a 10-second delay can help you respond more wisely. Before criticizing someone's work or behavior, wait long enough to understand their perspective and circumstances. In moments of conflict, practice forgiveness before bringing your concerns to God in prayer. When facing difficulties in projects or relationships, try new approaches and persist through challenges before considering giving up.
James 1:19-20 says "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
This scripture reinforces Ziglar's wisdom by emphasizing the importance of thoughtful, measured responses. Just as Ziglar suggests a sequence of preparatory actions, James provides a biblical foundation for controlling our reactions and choosing wisdom over impulse.
Take the next 7 days to practice intentional response rather than immediate reaction. Start with these reflection questions:
In which areas of your life do you tend to react too quickly?
What triggers cause you to speak before listening?
How can you build in "pause points" throughout your day?
Who in your life needs your forgiveness before you move forward?
Where have you given up too soon without trying alternative approaches?
Consider scheduling a coaching session to develop specific strategies for implementing these principles in your leadership journey. Let's work together to transform your responses into thoughtful actions that align with both professional excellence and spiritual wisdom.