An Interview With Chad Silverstein
Dream big: Don’t be afraid to take risks and aim high. Your life is yours to shape. Despite concerns from others, I pursued teaching English in Korea and later started my own business. Taking that risk led to significant personal and professional growth.
Growth is an essential part of life, both personally and professionally. Every day presents an opportunity to learn, evolve, and become better versions of ourselves. But how do we seize these opportunities? How do successful writers, leaders, and influencers ensure they are constantly growing and improving? What daily habits, practices, or mindsets contribute to their continual growth? In this interview series, we would like to talk to authors, leaders, influencers, and anyone who is an authority about “What We Can Do To Grow Every Day”. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alex Wong.
Alex Wong is the owner of Alex Wong Copywriting and a bestselling author known for his work in various niches such as Airbnb marketing, dental marketing, and online dating. He holds a degree in psychology and has trained with top industry professionals. Inspired by Bruce Lee, Alex combines his diverse background and mastery of persuasive techniques to bring visions to life through words.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
My parents are from China, and I’m the first generation in my family to grow up in Canada. I’m aware of how fortunate I am to have grown up in a developed country. Despite their love, my upbringing was challenging. My dad struggled with hoarding, and my mom has generalized anxiety disorder, leading to frequent conflicts at home. They divorced when I was 11.
My mom often blamed others and avoided responsibility, while my dad often took full accountability. I admired this quality and it shaped my own approach to life. Despite facing significant hurdles, including language barriers and minimum-wage jobs, they both worked hard to provide a stable environment. My dad’s dedication taught me the importance of hard work, saving, and commitment. I’m grateful for the opportunities I have, including speaking English, growing up in a developed country, having access to healthcare, and attending university.
Can you tell us a bit about what you do professionally, and what brought you to this specific career path?
My career path was unexpected. Ten years ago, if you had told me I’d be running my own business, I wouldn’t have believed it. At that time, I was teaching in Korea with plans to pursue a master’s degree and teach at a university. When those plans didn’t materialize, I returned to Canada and had to start over.
I discovered copywriting when a college friend asked me to write articles for his dental marketing agency. Seeing the demand, he eventually hired me full-time. I started my own business on the side and began publishing my own books.
Now, as a professional copywriter and bestselling author, I’ve been running my business for over eight years. I’ve worked with numerous clients across various industries and have published bestsellers in multiple genres.
Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion about Personal Growth. To make sure that we are all on the same page, let’s begin with a simple definition. What does “Personal Growth” mean to you?
Personal growth means striving to become the best version of ourselves throughout our lives. Since we have only one life, it’s crucial to make the most of it. Regardless of our circumstances, we all have the same 24 hours each day. Developing and growing benefits both us and society. I want to look back and feel that I made a positive impact on the world.
Why do you believe that it’s important to commit to growing every day?
I compare personal growth to advancing in a video game. At the start, you’re at a lower level with limited abilities. As you progress and overcome challenges, you become stronger and more capable. This process of growth is both exciting and fulfilling. Humans are naturally driven to push their limits, leading to societal advancements and new discoveries. Embracing challenges is essential for our development.
What are the key upsides for those who mindfully engage in a journey of personal evolution?
I believe that finding ways to challenge yourself is immensely satisfying. We can achieve great things when we engage in activities that challenge us and allow us to commit fully. Cal Newport refers to this as “deep work,” while Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes it as being in the flow. This type of work is only possible by focusing on a specific task, performing it repeatedly, and seeking areas for improvement. Through this process, we can make a meaningful difference and grow. As humans, achieving something we didn’t think was possible or creating something new is incredibly satisfying and provides us with a deep sense of purpose in life.
When we stop evolving in intentional ways, what do you think are the biggest downsides?
Stopping personal growth can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities. For example, retirement can be problematic if people are too attached to their jobs and struggle to find purpose afterward. My dad stayed active and purposeful by recycling bottles, whereas my grandma’s move away from friends led to decreased social interaction and a decline in her emotional and physical health. Staying engaged and active, regardless of life stage, is essential for well-being.
What specific practices, if any, do you have in place to ensure that you don’t become stagnant in life?
Setting both short-term and long-term goals helps me stay motivated and focused. Each year, I outline goals for different areas of my life — health, business, finances — and review them monthly. This process allows me to track progress, reflect on what’s working, and make necessary adjustments. Even if I don’t achieve every goal, the journey and progress are rewarding.
Is there any particular area of your life where you are most committed to growth (e.g., spiritually, professionally, socially, internally, relationally)?
I set goals across various life areas to maintain balance and prevent overcommitting to one aspect. Currently, I’m focusing on growing my business — finding new clients, increasing sales, and boosting traffic — while also balancing my health and personal life. I’ve made efforts to cut out processed foods, manage stress, and eliminate toxic relationships.
Here is the primary question of our discussion. If you could offer five tips to readers on how to stimulate and perpetuate self-growth, what would they be? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.
1 . You are what you think: Your thoughts shape your reality. Focusing on positive, constructive thoughts increases your chances of success. I used to dwell on unfairness, but I realized this mindset was unproductive. I now approach challenges objectively and focus on actionable steps to address them.
2 . Start small and work your way up: Begin with small steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Gradually build up to larger goals. When starting my business, I began by researching platforms and tools. I built my website step by step, which took time but was ultimately rewarding.
3 . Be consistent: Regular effort, even if not the fastest or most talented, leads to success. To get in shape, I consistently went to the gym three times a week and improved my nutrition. This steady effort helped me achieve my fitness goals.
4 . Protect your time: Time is a precious resource. Use it wisely to grow and learn rather than waste it on distractions. I noticed I was wasting time on my phone, so I started keeping it away while working. This change significantly improved my focus and productivity.
5 . Dream big: Don’t be afraid to take risks and aim high. Your life is yours to shape. Despite concerns from others, I pursued teaching English in Korea and later started my own business. Taking that risk led to significant personal and professional growth.
What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck and unsure of how to start their personal growth journey?
Embrace discomfort as a part of growth. Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for pushing past your limits.
When I feel nervous about trying something new, I evaluate the worst-case scenarios and assess whether I can handle them. If I can manage potential challenges, I take steps toward my goals. I remind myself that even if I fail, it won’t be the end of the world; I can always try again and adjust my approach. After all, the greatest inventions and discoveries, such as the lightbulb, only happened after repeated failures. Trying and experimenting is the only way to discover what’s possible.
Are there any books, podcasts, or other resources that have significantly contributed to your personal growth?
I enjoy exploring different viewpoints through audiobooks and podcasts. My interests have expanded beyond business and self-development to include history, politics, philosophy, science, and biographies. Recent titles I’ve enjoyed include:
- The Rise and Reign of the Mammals
- Overreach
- Red Notice
- Millionaire Fastlane
- The Magic of Thinking Big
I try to listen to a new audiobook each month. Libby is a fantastic resource for free ebooks and audiobooks, and I’ve been using it for years.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
As an author, I’ve already published a variety of works aimed at helping others achieve their business and personal goals. I would like to continue on this path, as I believe providing actionable insights can have a lasting impact on individuals and businesses alike. However, I eventually want to start a podcast where I can talk to different types of people, have meaningful conversations, and be exposed to different ideas. I think this would allow me to reach a broader audience, inspire others, and foster a community focused on growth, learning, and positive change. By sharing diverse perspectives and experiences, I hope to create a platform that empowers listeners to take actionable steps toward their own personal and professional development.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
They can learn more about me and my services here:
I’m also a bestselling author of multiple books in various genres. You can check out my works at:
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein, a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as the Founder and CEO of multiple companies. He launched Choice Recovery, Inc., a healthcare collection agency, while going to The Ohio State University, His team earned national recognition, twice being ranked as the #1 business to work for in Central Ohio. In 2018, Chad launched [re]start, a career development platform connecting thousands of individuals in collections with meaningful employment opportunities, He sold Choice Recovery on his 25th anniversary and in 2023, sold the majority interest in [re]start so he can focus his transition to Built to Lead as an Executive Leadership Coach. Learn more at www.chadsilverstein.com
Growing Every Day: Alex Wong Of Alex Wong Copywriting On What We Can Do To Grow Every Day was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.