Marcus Lopes's Blog, page 19

On Becoming a Digital Minimalist

Part III: The Rules. More Rules.

Cut. It. Out. Often used as an admonishment by my mother when I was a kid and acting out, here I am referring to all the ‘noise’ in the world. The social media apps keeping us glued to our phones. Useless celebrity gossip. Narcissists. Anything, or anyone, holding us back from living an intentional, purpose-driven life. That might cause some to panic, but if we keep letting people and things distract us from living the purpose we desire for our lives, ask: To wh...

Persuasion

‘Persuasion’ is a continuation of ‘Traitor, Traitor‘.

The two-kilometre perimeter around the convention centre was in place, with roadblocks set up at all nearby intersections and manned by city police officers. Michael’s earlier feeling, that something was of, still nagged at him. Had Findlay intentionally left his phone behind? And unlocked? Michael snapped his fingers. “Of course,” he mumbled. “He wanted to send a message. And he did.”

“Agent Reid…”

Michael, conferring with Brian, spun aroun...

On Becoming a Digital Minimalist

Part II: The Rules

The world has drastically changed since 1973, the year I was born. There is no denying the role technology has played in that change, especially social media — how we use it and, more pointedly, how it uses us. And it is easier than ever to go down the rabbit hole of clickbait, losing hours of our lives each day to meaningless scrolling. And to what end?

Begin with the End in Mind

As we near the end of August, I can look back over what I have done and, more precisely, what I ...

On Becoming a Digital Minimalist

Part I: The Foundation

I had not heard of Cal Newport until earlier this year when, during my morning commute, I listened to Lewis Howes interview him on the School of Greatness podcast. It was a thought-provoking exchange about the ‘intrusion’ of smartphones and social media into our lives that prompted me to read two of Newport’s books: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World and Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. It is the latter that inspires th...

Going Beyond ‘Notifications Off’

At the end of July, I wrote about turning notifications off on my phone. I noted that it was a starting point in my struggle to stay focused in a distracted world. No dings or chirps, or banners appearing on the screen, to announce the arrival of a new message or reaction to a post. Because I was already, it seemed, reaching for my phone too often. I certainly did not need any other incentives to encourage that ‘bad’ habit.

But like I said, turning notifications was — and only could be — a star...

No More Lane Hopping

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost three years since I ran my first (and so far last) marathon. The decision to participate in the 2019 Toronto Waterfront Marathon happened on a whim after I experienced my most epic running wipeout and feared my running days were over. Fortunately, outside of a swollen and scraped knee — and a bruised ego — no bones were broken. I took that as life speaking to me, that this was my time to push myself and my limits, as I signed up for the race and began ...

Traitor, Traitor

This is a continuation of ‘The Knives are Out‘

Outside the prime minister’s residence, Michael removed the handcuffs from Findlay’s wrists. “Do you understand what you have to do? And the consequences if you don’t?”

“Yes,” Findlay said weakly.

“Because as we speak, my colleague is on the way to your mother’s house.”

“My mother isn’t involved in this!” Findlay barked.

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Michael shoved Findlay towards the driver’s side door to the armoured black Mercedes. “You call Neuman as pla...

Notifications Off

I ‘miss’ a lot because on my phone and laptop I keep the notifications off. And the sound. I can’t stand the ding of a new e-mail or text message arriving, or the ringing of an incoming call. Because I have enough distractions that I’m trying to manage on a daily basis, notifications — especially for social media apps — are the last things I need to add to the chaos.

As I reread Cal Newport’s book, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, I know that my struggle to truly embr...

Into the Storm

Lately, I’ve thought a lot about a line from a hymn we sang often in church when I was growing up: “Keep me safe till the storm passes by.”

Because I’m in the storm, battered by high winds, trying to outrun the tsunami aiming for me, buried under thirty inches of snow and trying to claw my way out. Translation: trying to do it all and getting nowhere fast.

And like a hurricane, this storm has a name: change.

As a writer with a day job, I’m searching for another one that will give me more time f...

The ‘Art’ of Discipline

Every morning I crawl out of bed early, before the sun rises. When the city is dark, few cars barrelling down the streets. It is, usually, quiet. And this is my time to journal (Morning Pages), to write and create … to embrace me just as I am.

I don’t talk about my early morning routine as if it’s a badge of honour, or to promote it as something that everyone should do. But it’s my most creative time. During other moments of the day when I struggle to manage distractions, when — despite my best...