Thursday Motivation by Zig Ziglar: 'F-E-A-R has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run or ... The choice is yours' - A timeless lesson by celebrated motivational speaker on courage, choice and success

Zig Ziglar’s motivational quote, "F-E-A-R has two meanings: 'Forget Everything And Run' or 'Face Everything And Rise'. The choice is yours," about fear offers a simple but powerful lesson about how we respond to difficult moments. Fear is a natural part of life. When we face failure, uncertainty or a major challenge, we may feel like giving up and walking away. This is the meaning behind 'Forget Everything And Run'. But Ziglar presents another choice: 'Face Everything And Rise'. Instead of allowing fear to control us, we can confront our problems, learn from them and keep moving forward. The quote does not suggest that fear will disappear. Rather, it reminds us that our response to fear can make a difference. Running away may provide temporary relief, but facing a challenge can build confidence, strength and resilience. The final words, 'The choice is yours', are the heart of the message. We may not control every situation, but we can control how we respond. When fear appears, choosing courage can help us turn a difficult moment into an opportunity for growth.

Zig Ziglar was one of America's best-known motivational speakers and authors. For decades, he encouraged people to believe in themselves, set meaningful goals and keep moving forward even when life became difficult. Born Hilary Hinton Ziglar on November 6, 1926, in Coffee County, Alabama, Ziglar grew up during the Great Depression. His early life taught him important lessons about hard work, perseverance and personal responsibility. He later built a career in sales before discovering his talent for motivating and inspiring others.



Ziglar became widely recognized for his energetic speaking style and practical approach to success. Instead of presenting success as something reserved for a lucky few, he often emphasized that ordinary people could make meaningful changes through discipline, positive thinking and consistent effort. His message went beyond making money.

Ziglar frequently spoke about relationships, health, faith, personal growth and helping others. He believed that genuine success involved more than professional achievements. For him, a successful life was one in which people could improve themselves while also making a positive difference in the lives of others.


Ziglar wrote numerous books, including 'See You at the Top', 'Secrets of Closing the Sale' and 'Over the Top'. His books and speeches reached millions of people around the world and helped establish him as a major figure in the personal-development movement. He also became known for memorable sayings about goals, attitude and persistence. His simple language made his ideas easy to understand and apply in everyday life.

Zig Ziglar died on November 28, 2012, at the age of 86. However, his lessons continue to appear in motivational talks, books and social media posts. His lasting message is straightforward: setbacks do not have to determine your future. Fear may be unavoidable, but how you respond to it is a choice. For anyone facing uncertainty or chasing a difficult goal, Ziglar's words offer a simple reminder - keep going, believe in yourself and choose to rise.