Marcus Lopes's Blog, page 10

There is Always an Excuse

Most days, I use the time during my commute to either read or listen to a podcast because, for me, personal growth is a lifestyle not a hobby. One day, again listening to the Mel Robbins Podcast, her interview with Lisa Bilyeu gave me pause. It’s a moment, in the latter part of the episode, when Lisa’s reminds us—bluntly—that we always have an excuse to put off what we need to do.

The Lump in My Throat

As I listened to Mel and Lisa’s exchange, there was a lump in my throat. I realized how many ...

Go All In

I mentioned a short time ago (maybe on social media) that I was rereading David Goggins’s latest book, Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within. It often happens, when I read a book, that more things jump out that I ‘missed’ during the first read-through. One thing I’ve noticed is that there is an ebb and flow to life, and there is that same oscillation as I pursue my goals. There are times when it feels easy: no resistance, no procrastination, no self-doubt. I am, simply, all...

On Momentum

 

This winter didn’t seem like winter. With unseasonably warm temperatures, and even breaking records, we felt spoiled. And as we roared through the early part of March, it seemed like we were gathering momentum—not just towards spring—but in life. In all that we wanted to do or were attempting to do, I noticed in the people around me that there was a sense of hopefulness and optimism. Then the rude awakening came last week when temperatures plunged, and a snowstorm reminded us of March’s fierce...

When Did We Lose Our Humanity?

As part of my work routine, I stop for a coffee at the Tim Hortons across the street from my office. On the weekends, because I take an earlier train, it’s also an opportunity for me to get in some extra writing time. On a recent visit, a customer picked up their order and then sat down at a table on the other side of the restaurant. I was listening to an episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast as I pulled out my notebook when I saw the guy slide backwards. The gentleman seated at the next table ...

Life is Short

 

Recently, I stumbled across a quote from Dr. Phil with a blunt message: “If you want more, you have to require more from yourself.” 1 And it has helped me to get a better grip on what it is I want [more of]. Because life is short, and I’m not getting any younger. So, that makes the time to act now.

Being Stuck

At different points in my life, I’ve felt stuck. Like no matter what I did, or how often I did it, I wasn’t moving forward. There was progress, and a number of successes, but I hadn’t a...

I’m Going to Be Dead Soon

No one likes to think about their mortality. It’s easy to think that we have lots of time left. And maybe that’s why we get bogged down by the ‘Tomorrow Syndrome.’ Because we think tomorrow is guaranteed, we tell ourselves, I’ll start my business tomorrow. Or, I’ll have time when I retire to travel more. Or, Next week I’ll get back to the gym regularly. Who told you that you’d be here tomorrow? All I know is this: I’m going to be dead soon.

Bet on Today

When I say, “I’m going to be dead soon,” ...

Change is Hard

I’ve got to be honest… Over the past few weeks, I’ve fallen back into some bad habits. I had been on a nice streak of doing certain things that would, if I had stuck with them, help bring some positive changes to my life. I’d done well at not eating sugary treats, then started baking again—and taste testing uncontrollably. I was stretching daily, then abruptly stopped. And now my hip flexors and calves are protesting. I was writing for an hour without distractions, and now I find myself ‘checki...

Recognize the ‘Self’ in Selfishness

I can’t say how many years it’s been, but for the better part of a more than a decade, I usually don’t answer the phone in the morning. Weekday or weekend, it doesn’t matter. That is my creative time, and I don’t want to be disturbed. It’s sacred. And it’s that moment when I acknowledge the ‘self’ in selfishness.

Dream Big

“Did your schedule change?” I was asked recently by a friend and former colleague. They had called one day, in the morning, and I didn’t answer. To be fair, my ringer and not...

The Mind Battle

The past couple of weeks have been challenging on the work front, and it’s taken up a lot of mental headspace. That left me, at times, not able to fully focus and drained—both mentally and physically. But it also had me thinking [again] about a song by the late singer-songwriter Laura Smith, “Clean Up Your Own Backyard.” That translates, for me, like this: dig deep and figure out what is my next right move.

Clear the Mental Headspace

The moment I roll out of bed in the morning, I’m thinking abo...

Stand Up for Yourself

In life, whether I’m at work or not, I try to maintain a calm demeanour. It takes a lot to rile me, to get me to react. Most of the time, I shrug things off because it’s either out of my control or it simply doesn’t warrant a response. But there are other times when you must stand up for yourself, when you must be the voice that breaks the conforming silence.

How Things Have Changed

In 2010, I left Ottawa for Quebec, leaving behind the traditional office work environment. When I started my curr...