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