Make today count – at the end of it, let there be no explanations, no excuses and no regrets.
When we think about walking with the dreamers, the believers, the creative types, the planners, the doers, the remarkably successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground, we get excited. We want to jump on their bandwagon, join the party and hoot and holler! We let their spirit ignite a fire within us to leave this world better than when we found it.
And that’s great!
But what we often neglect, at least initially, is the fact that these “successful” people have been working hard and quietly, often for long, tedious periods of time, to achieve what others eventually interpret as remarkable work.
The truth is, the result of remarkable success is pretty noisy – lots of people noticing, talking, and sharing stories about it. The actual process of achieving remarkable success, on the other hand, is far more discreet (and underappreciated). But it’s this gradual process that happens quietly, behind-the-scenes, that makes all the difference in the world.
The Quiet Rituals Interview
People have said that Angel and I are remarkably successful at what we do. Forbes interviewed me recently and classified our blog as “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Although I’m a bit too humble to envision myself in this light, if you’ve ever wondered how Angel and I work to achieve the levels of success others speak of, the candid video interview below is for you. In it our friend Thanh, from Asian Efficiency, interrogates us and has us dissect some of the quiet, behind-the-scenes rituals that keep us moving successfully forward on a daily basis…
Let’s talk more about this, face to face…
If you’re interested in meeting and speaking with us live in the flesh, we’re hosting a live event on February 18-19, 2017 in South Florida. The event is titled Think Better, Live Better.
This one-day event will be packed full of practical content and unforgettably inspiring lessons. But this is more than an event, it’s a powerful training seminar that will give you proven tools to identify and transform the negative, self-limiting beliefs and behaviors that often keep us stuck.
You won’t leave Think Better, Live Better with a notebook full of ideas and nothing checked off your to-do list. You’ll set into motion a realistic series of life-changing rituals you can keep improving on for years to come.
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to register for our free email updates to be among the first to learn more about this live event once we have all the details finalized.
Your turn…
Which point discussed in the video interview did you find most helpful? What other questions do you have? We would love to hear from YOU. Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us.
J.J. says
I love the behind the scenes look at how you two work together. Marc, your point on being able to choose how present and focused you are in dire circumstances really resonated with me. I also loved Angel’s suggestion to tie tasks to locations, and then complete them before leaving. That’s an interesting productivity strategy I intend to test out this week.
Thank you, as usual, for all the free insight.
Marc Chernoff says
Glad you found value in this interview, J.J.. And thank you for continued to be supportive of our work.
Nicole says
Excellent interview. I enjoyed the casual nature of it. Lots of great takeaways too.
My favorite points/quotes were:
1. “The quality of your downtime will affect the quality of your productive time.”
2. “Rest is part of productivity.”
I’m a high achiever who forgets this all too often… I burn the candle at both ends on most days. Thanks for the needed reminder.
Marc Chernoff says
We’re high achievers too, Nicole. We used to be right there with you. Mindfulness and rest is a practice — it takes time to find the right balance, but it’s worth the extra effort in the long run. Best wishes to you.
Susan Rae says
Angel’s morning ritual of reviewing and celebrating the previous day’s successes is a fantastic idea that I’m implementing first thing tomorrow morning. Thank you!
Also, great Forbes interview! And congrats on that.
Marc Chernoff says
Thank you for the kindness, Susan. I hope your new morning ritual is working wonders for you.
Cindy Borcherding says
Angel, some of my ideas come to me in the shower. LOL!! Your comment about your best ideas coming to you when you are relaxed or exercising made me laugh. I can relate in so many ways. I LOVED watching and listening ot this interview. Thank you so much!! This will be something I’ll be watching again and referring back to.
Marc Chernoff says
No doubt about it, Cindy — our best ideas often come to us when we aren’t trying to have them. Like Angel and you, it happens for me in the shower, when I meditate, and especially during a light morning jog.
Rachel Ang says
Ah! Just dropping by to tell you that I love your blog — I love what you do. Keep inspiring and keep sharing your light!
Rachel x
thehappybits.blogspot.com
Marc Chernoff says
Thank you, Rachel. We appreciate you.
Rose Costas says
Marc and Angel – Thanks for letting us into your life. It is so true that people see your success and think that you just magically woke up with it, when in fact it took many years of toil and sacrifice.
I love your honesty and you humbleness. You most definitely have the qualities that I know I want to adapt not just for my business but for my family life. You two seem to work hard to be able to balance both.
I know life has and is not always great but you are able to balance you family life and your business with great efficiency.
You two embodies what true partnership is all about. I am inspired and motivated by your success but I also am inspired by the years of hard work you both have sacrificed to get where you are.
Congratulations on your success. I am encouraged by your dedication and hard work to get you to this point.
Marc Chernoff says
Thank you, Rose. We appreciate your continued support. The balance we have found is a daily practice. Success isn’t easy, neither is mindfulness and nurturing relationships — but all are worth working on every single day.
Lauren says
I’m happy I set aside the time to watch this today. Your combined commentary on celebrating progress and choosing presence changed my perspective about a few things.
Ras says
You two are helping me through a truly difficult time with your free blog and emails. You are good human beings. Thank you.
Jessica says
Thank you for this timely reminder. We moved this summer and four months into it, I’m expecting my life to resemble what it looked like after 10 years in our old location. I know it’s not a realistic expectation, but it’s so tempting to think all of life can be achieved overnight.
Marc Chernoff says
Jessica, you are welcome. Just take it one step at a time. Remember, the battles of today are all you have to focus on, and they aren’t that complicated by themselves. It’s only when you add the infinitely complex battles of the past and future that life gets tough to deal with.
Shivani says
Excellent interview Marc and Angel !
The message you both give here is very clear that you need to work hard consistently to reach your goals and to master success. It’s great to learn how you both are implementing your wisdom and skills in your day to day life to improve productivity and to stay focused. Thanks for sharing your views.
You both are working for a great purpose and cause , truly appreciate your efforts !
Thanks again ,regards !
Shivani says
Excellent interview Marc and Angel!
The message you both give here is very clear that you need to work hard, consistently to reach your goals and to master success. It’s great to learn how you both are implementing your wisdom and skills in your day to day life to improve productivity and to stay focused. Thanks for sharing your views.
You both are working for a great purpose and cause , truly appreciate your efforts !
Thanks again!
ope says
Thank you for sharing this interview.
Love from Nigeria.
reginah says
U guys are awesome- I gained so much from this video! All the best to all 3 of u… Ur work adds so much value to my life- this video ignited so much in my mind and I am so energetic to pick up where I had fallen off the wagon!
Florence says
Thank you Marc & Angel,
I have really benefited a lot, you inspire me a lot & my son too.
We have just written you on your email… please answer. Thank you.
M S Rao says
Millions of thanks for fine study on the life changing elements and their role in human lives. Value, relationship and human potentials. Marc and Angel, you are doing a divine work through which you counsel, lead, and re-motivate the lost souls and growing souls alike.
Abbas Sallau says
I like your posts always