Harvey Mackay Quotes

Powerful Harvey Mackay for Daily Growth

About Harvey Mackay

Harvey Mackay is an esteemed American author, businessman, and motivational speaker, renowned for his insights on leadership, sales, and success in both personal and professional realms. Born on June 6, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mackay developed a strong work ethic at an early age. His father was a postal worker, instilling in him the value of hard work and perseverance. Mackay attended Marquette University on a basketball scholarship but was forced to drop out due to injury. He later graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri–St. Louis in 1958. His journalistic career began at The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he worked as a reporter and eventually became an editor. In 1967, Mackay co-founded MackayEnvelope Corporation, which grew to become one of the largest envelope manufacturers in the world. He sold his stake in the company in 1994 but remains active in its operations as chairman emeritus. Mackay's writing career took off with the publication of "Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive" in 1988, a business guide that has become a modern classic. This was followed by other influential books such as "Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt" (1992), "We Got Fired!... And It's the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us" (with Ruth Mackay, 1997), and "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door" (2005). Mackay's writing is characterized by practical advice, humorous anecdotes, and a focus on building strong relationships. He has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Forbes. Mackay continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his speeches and writings, embodying the spirit of resilience, innovation, and human connection.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Formula for success: Under promise and over deliver."

This quote by Harvey Mackay emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations and exceeding them to ensure success. By under-promising, one avoids over-committing and setting unattainable goals, which can lead to disappointment. Over-delivering, on the other hand, demonstrates a commitment to quality, reliability, and going the extra mile for clients or customers, building trust and fostering long-term relationships. This approach not only increases customer satisfaction but also leads to positive word of mouth and repeat business, ultimately contributing to one's success in their professional endeavors.


"The higher you go, the more you'll be on your own."

This quote by Harvey Mackay suggests that as one advances in life or a career, they will increasingly have to rely on their own abilities, judgement, and decision-making skills due to a decrease in direct oversight or guidance from others. Reaching higher positions often means moving beyond the support structure provided at lower levels, requiring greater independence and self-reliance. This is an encouragement for individuals to develop their personal strengths and resilience, as they will have more responsibility for the success of their endeavors.


"Don't measure the height of your growth by what's happening around you, let it be based on your internal progress."

This quote emphasizes the importance of self-evaluation and personal growth rather than comparing oneself to others or external circumstances. It encourages individuals to focus on their own development and success, rather than being swayed by what they see happening around them. The message is to stay focused on one's internal progress, such as learning new skills, improving character traits, or achieving personal goals, as these are the true indicators of growth and development. It also suggests that external validation or comparison should not dictate one's sense of accomplishment or self-worth.


"Every minute you spend in planning saves 10 minutes in execution; this gives you a 1,000 percent return on time invested!"

This quote emphasizes the importance of strategic planning. The more time spent thoughtfully organizing tasks, goals, or projects beforehand, the greater the efficiency in their execution. By minimizing unnecessary steps and potential errors during implementation, you effectively increase your productivity by a significant margin. It suggests that investing time in planning is a wise decision as it yields substantial returns in terms of saved time and resources in the long run.


"The most important thing to do if you want to be successful is to act as if you were successful already."

This quote emphasizes the power of self-confidence and visualization in achieving success. By assuming the mindset, behavior, and actions of a successful person, one is more likely to attract the reality they desire. It encourages individuals to believe in themselves as successful, which can foster resilience, determination, and the fearless pursuit of their goals. This mind-over-matter approach can significantly impact personal growth and success.


Amateurs wait for inspiration. The real pros get up and go to work.

- Harvey Mackay

Work, Wait, Pros, Amateur

A smart manager will establish a culture of gratitude. Expand the appreciative attitude to suppliers, vendors, delivery people, and of course, customers.

- Harvey Mackay

Manager, Will, Suppliers, Delivery

To be a champion, you have to learn to handle stress and pressure. But if you've prepared mentally and physically, you don't have to worry.

- Harvey Mackay

Stress, Worry, Physically, Handle

I believe that visualization is one of the most powerful means of achieving personal goals.

- Harvey Mackay

Visualization, Means, Personal Goals

Employee loyalty begins with employer loyalty. Your employees should know that if they do the job they were hired to do with a reasonable amount of competence and efficiency, you will support them.

- Harvey Mackay

Efficiency, Will, Amount, Employee

Expect to make some mistakes when you try new and different approaches. Sometimes colossal failures lead to spectacular successes.

- Harvey Mackay

New, Some, Failures, Approaches

A great accomplishment shouldn't be the end of the road, just the starting point for the next leap forward.

- Harvey Mackay

Road, Forward, Next, Leap

Ethical decisions ensure that everyone's best interests are protected. When in doubt, don't.

- Harvey Mackay

Doubt, Everyone, Ensure, Best Interests

Never forget, the real secret of giving advice is this: Once you've given it, don't concern yourself with whether it is followed or not, and refrain from saying 'I told you so.'

- Harvey Mackay

Advice, Real, Given, Refrain

Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.

- Harvey Mackay

Southwest, Also, Understands

It doesn't matter whether you are pursuing success in business, sports, the arts, or life in general: The bridge between wishing and accomplishing is discipline.

- Harvey Mackay

Business, Sports, Pursuing, Wishing

To me, job titles don't matter. Everyone is in sales. It's the only way we stay in business.

- Harvey Mackay

Business, Me, Everyone, Titles

Life isn't fair. It's true, and you still have to deal with it. Whining about it rarely levels the playing field, but learning to rise above it is the ultimate reward.

- Harvey Mackay

Reward, Deal, Still, Whining

Pessimism doesn't grow your business or even maintain the status quo. The pessimists on your staff make the job harder for everyone around them. They make difficulties out of opportunities.

- Harvey Mackay

Business, Grow, Pessimism, Pessimists

Your workforce is your most valuable asset. The knowledge and skills they have represent the fuel that drives the engine of business - and you can leverage that knowledge.

- Harvey Mackay

Business, Fuel, Leverage, Engine

Every morning brings new potential, but if you dwell on the misfortunes of the day before, you tend to overlook tremendous opportunities.

- Harvey Mackay

New, Misfortunes, Before, Overlook

No business can stay in business without customers. How you treat - or mistreat - them determines how long your doors stay open.

- Harvey Mackay

Business, Treat, Determines, Mistreat

If you believe, as I do, that your employees truly are your most valuable asset, you will do whatever you can to help them do their jobs as well as possible.

- Harvey Mackay

Will, Jobs, Them, Valuable Asset

Deadlines aren't bad. They help you organize your time. They help you set priorities. They make you get going when you might not feel like it.

- Harvey Mackay

Bad, Going, Set, Deadlines

The life of a startup is full of ups and downs, an emotional roller coaster ride that you can't quite imagine if you've spent your whole career in a corporation.

- Harvey Mackay

Career, Downs, Imagine, Ups

You don't need a big close, as many sales reps believe. You risk losing your customer when you save all the good stuff for the end. Keep the customer actively involved throughout your presentation, and watch your results improve.

- Harvey Mackay

Believe, Big, Save, Actively

Fatigue makes fools of us all. It robs you of your skills and your judgment, and it blinds you to creative solutions. It's the best-conditioned athlete, not the most talented, who generally wins when the going gets tough.

- Harvey Mackay

Fatigue, Skills, Your, Fools

Like it or not, life is a series of competitions. You may be competing for a grade, a spot on a team, a job, or the largest account in town. The higher your self-esteem is, the better you get along with yourself, with others, and the more you'll accomplish.

- Harvey Mackay

Self-Esteem, Your, Largest, Competitions

By my count, more business leaders have failed and derailed because of arrogance than any other character flaw.

- Harvey Mackay

Business, More, Other, Business Leaders

I've known entrepreneurs who were not great salespeople, or didn't know how to code, or were not particularly charismatic leaders. But I don't know of any entrepreneurs who have achieved any level of success without persistence and determination.

- Harvey Mackay

Level, Code, Particularly, Salespeople

Talent is God-given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be thankful. Conceit is self-given; be careful.

- Harvey Mackay

Wisdom, Humble, Conceit, God-Given

As you schedule individual tasks, give yourself a cushion. Mark the due date a few days ahead of the actual deadline so you have time to deal with changes or last-minute emergencies.

- Harvey Mackay

Give, Date, Actual, Tasks

Customers are the reason we open our doors every day, and keep the machines humming all night long. Customers determine what we eat, where we live, whether we stay in business.

- Harvey Mackay

Business, Reason, Determine, Humming

Good intentions aren't enough. People have good intentions when they set a goal to do something, but then they miss a deadline or other milestone.

- Harvey Mackay

Goal, Other, Set, Deadline

Delegating doesn't mean passing off work you don't enjoy, but letting your employees stretch their skills and judgment.

- Harvey Mackay

Work, Enjoy, Your, Passing

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