Doing your best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.
PLEASE NOTE: This post has been rewritten and updated with new information. You can find the new version here:
Practical Tips for Productive Living
Doing your best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.
PLEASE NOTE: This post has been rewritten and updated with new information. You can find the new version here:
Amandah says
The first question here is the one I need to ask more often: Am I focusing on the right things?
A secondary question I picked up awhile back from one of your email newsletters that I think reinforces this first question: Based on my daily routines and actions, where can I expect to be in five years?
Thanks for another good read.
Susan Rae says
thank you
Kevin B. says
Wise piece of writing. Another question I ask myself, which makes me see right through the mist of negativity is “What do I really want in life?” Do these people I worry about, the frivolous behavior, being judgmental about others and myself.. How is what I am thinking right now leading me to what I really want. Keeping a vision of who you really want to become; a better person, a success in business or just about anything will help steer your mind of the clouds of negativity.
Sandra Pawula says
thanks
Nate says
thanks
Dr Richard Norris says
All of these will ensure that we maintain our course on our Journey of Success fulfilling God’s calling on our lives.
Another question I ask is “Will what I am doing put a smile on God’s face?”
Tamara says
Those are some very helpful tips… Perfect for me as I journey on in my artistic endeavors today. I also appreciate that you include gratitude. This is so grounding for me. Thank you so much! Best wishes.
Mathias says
Nice post – all of these are questions we need to ask ourselves more! The most important one in my mind is “Am I focusing on the right things” – there is nothing dumber than putting in a ton of work towards something that ultimately proves to be useless.
I guess you have to ask yourself “Are the things I’m doing really bringing me closer to my goals?” If not, it doesn’t matter how productive you are!
Gautam thakur says
I agree with these questions and the actions they provoke. Thank you.
Belinda says
I love your reads, but the one thing that hinders me is procrastination and fear. I always put things off for fear of the unknown. Another thing for me is when I’m alone, I don’t like being by myself and feeling lonely. These are excellent questions for me. The two that stand out most for me are questions 1 & 2. I am still struggling, but continue to try to find ways to help myself. Thank you Marc and Angel for your positive readings.
Akash says
Hi Marc,
Great Post, especially point 2…
I have habit of over-thinking both positive and negative matters. I argue with myself over how I look to others or what others will think of my opinions or decisions. I know this is the way currently I am creating my views on different topics – and it’s limiting me. Could you please suggest how can I change this thought process of self talk and view creation in better a way without imaginary debates with others who are not at all aware or worried about my thoughts?
Jack says
#1 is absolutely key, and a central theme of my writings on my own website (conceptsofconfidence.com). Personal development isn’t just about taking action; it’s also about constantly evaluating where your efforts are best spent. It goes deeper still into metacognition, where you refine the process of effort allocation itself.
There’s a reason “hard workers” can still make a bare living in a terrible job; so much of success (and happiness) depends on the quality of your thinking. We pay a premium for intellect, not just effort!
David Rapp says
I like all of these ideas conceptually…because that is all they are. What I see a lot of is people working through these processes, coming up with a plan, and then blowing the execution phase. So this really a re-framing of the reactions we all have when the Plan fails, goes awry or just peters out.
Some other questions I use are:
Is this a set back or a setup?
What is the sacrifice I am making to do this now?
David W says
More great advice and thanks.
I always stop any thoughts of regrets and learn from past experiences as you suggest to try and avoid repeating less good choices/habits unless I conclude they are part of my life and what I actually want.
We and our priorities also change as we get older and being able to tap into how our past selves behaved and why and comparing that to how we feel now and why is a great learning tool in addition to what we can learn from others that we aspire to emulate.
Also, like our homes, nothing is ever perfect even if money were no object. So I tend to just do what is right at the time as though life is short because one day it will be and I have no wish to dislike the person I see in my mirror.
Sometimes the hardest thing is just making time for ourselves but its important to do so. I find repeat exercise (like cycling in a safe location) can really free up the mind for important decisions.
Also, if you can get to sleep easily with a problem in mind that you intend to solve the next day you will often wake up with the solution which is a great start to the next day. Its also worth keeping a pen and paper by the bedside for scribbling down that solution if you wake up in the middle of the night with the answer as our subconscious can be stronger than we realise and restful sleep may then follow.
Jacqueline says
I am 53 and started a new job… lots of training and extra modules etc, overwhelming, but keeping at it has proved its worth, than leaving it all till the last minute. Seek/ask for help… most people want to see you succeed.
Loved the part of this article about avoiding drama and walking away from the nonsense around you. I have very few qualifications and have proved a good attitude and integrity are better than normal measurements of success.
Live long and prosper, Jacqueline oxoxoxoxo
Rose Costas says
Thanks for another incredible post. I love #3 as it makes me truly considers the meaning I assign to my challenges. I unfortunately sometimes see challenges as punishment and I am beginning to learn that it is not necessarily so. Even though hard I will have to view things differently. I tend to question why me and not why not me.
Thanks for the reminder that I am being punished for past mistakes but need to see the lessons life is teaching even though difficult.
M S Rao says
I love the art of teaching on life, the smooth methods of handling the challenges we face in day today life. One question I think we should ask ourself “Am I able to make myself recognized among my people? “Am I so important among the elites?
Nicole says
Hi Marc and Angel,
I’ve been reading your blogs for nearly three years now. I have to say that they helped me through the hardest times I’ve ever known but the ones in which I’ve grown most as a person.
To everyone out there, it does come right. You do have to let go, the moment your in is the only moment you have that you can touch. When your in a place where that’s all you’ve got literally that’s actually the beginning if everything that’s possible again. Slate clean and rewrite the story.
No 3 start there, I did and my life as I look back is amazing. Have faith in your one step forward it truly does make a difference.
Nicole
pizarro anderimam says
Marc and Angel, indeed you people are transforming my mindset. So glad I found your website.
Elizabeth Scala says
I appreciate the time and effort you put into each post. There is always something worth sharing with my followers!
Sakhile says
Oh my goodness. When something negative happens to me I feel like I am being punished. Having a difficult childhood does not make dealing with negativity easy. I feel as if I have had my fair share and I deserve a break. It is really hard.
Ayietim says
A very rich and useful article. Answers to these questions are relevant and fundamental to the attainment of a success driven lifestyle.
Marc Chernoff says
Thanks for keeping the conversation alive, everyone. Just got a chance to jump in here and read your comments. Wonderful, as always. Thanks for the added insight, questions, and kudos. Glad you all found value in this post.
Merlene Campbell says
Great ideas to get successful!
Here is my idea: When an idea comes my way, I take action on it immediately. I’ll work on it with purpose and a high level of urgency, which allows me to finish it as fast as possible. I achieve results FAST in my life.
Daniel Frimpong. Manso says
I like the first Question: Am I focusing on the right things?
Jane says
I would like to work on creating tangible reminders that will motivate me on days when I don’t feel like practicing my singing or doing my daily routine. I already have photos of my inspirations Whitney Houston and Marilyn Monroe on my wall, but I would have to think of some other ones that will further drive me to do things. Thank you, Marc and Angel!
Lennae says
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post! Thank you for sharing!
Lennae xxx
lennae87.wordpress.com
Poppy99 says
I need to move on from my job, it is not good for me. I don’t fit in, I am not valued and when I start something new I try very hard to be positive but soon I realise I am back in the same situation. Most of my co- workers do not care about the work, so they don’t want me to either. I need to accept that I have to let go, but I have been scarred and I fear I am going to take those scars with me. How can work affect your whole life? I hate the whiney person I have become.
James Davis says
Thanks for such questions. Candidates should ask these questions to themselves everyday to be successful in their job. These questions will motivate them everyday.
Charles Paldy says
Excellent advice and road map. Right on the mark. These remarks and questions should be part of every training program.