Marcus Lopes's Blog, page 21
April 18, 2022
Days 8-15 Recap: 30-Day Deep Work Challenge
Two words: Utter fail.
The intention was there, but not the actions to back it up.
Something was off. I was off. And I’m struggling to fix it.
But I’m determined to get this right, so I’m starting again.
When you see the break down of my screen time below (the days I just gave up and embraced procrastination), you’ll understand why tomorrow will be Day 1 again.
Screen Time Recap:
Day 8: 11 April 20221H55Day 9: 12 April 20223H47Day 10: 13 April 20224h54Day 11: 14 April 20229H44...
April 10, 2022
Days 5-7 Recap: 30-Day Deep Work Challenge
These past three days have been challenging when it comes to holding focus and working deeply.
There is this inescapable feeling that, by scaling back on social media and other distractions, that I’m missing something. So, it’s been harder to resist picking up the phone, which is reflected in my screen time.
Still, I’m determined to stay the course and get to a place that helps me focus and work deeply.
I’ve removed the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram apps from my phone. If there is something th...
April 7, 2022
Days 3 & 4 Recap: 30-Day Deep Work Challenge
The challenge for me is to become who I dare to believe I can be. To do that means I have to stay focused on my ultimate goal: becoming a bestselling author. I see the words on the screen and I still think, ‘Who am I to dare to set such a goal?’ But I love writing and I love words and telling stories.
I kept the trend going this morning in not picking up my phone until I was ready to leave for work. That mean that my time writing and reading early in the morning was dee...
April 6, 2022
Who Do You Trust…?
This is a continuation of ‘The Standoff‘
“Brian, you’re not giving me much of a choice.” Michael took another step forward. “Put down your weapon. You’re angry. I get that. But killing Clarke right now —”
A shot rang out.
Michael’s eyes widened as Adam Clarke’s head flung backwards, and his body slid off the bench and crashed onto the cement floor. Blood and bits of brain, skin and hair created a Jackson Pollock-esque painting on the wall. Then Michael pivoted hard to his left to see Josh lower...
April 5, 2022
Day 2 Recap: 30-Day Deep Work Challenge
Yesterday and today, I did not pick up my phone until I was ready to leave for work. That’s important for me because I’m up around 3:00 am, first to write my Morning Pages, then to read (currently The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport). Then I get about 60-75 minutes of writing time. With no distractions, I managed to finally finish the edits to a chapter of my current WIP (note: I started the edits to that chapter las...
April 4, 2022
Do the Hardest Thing: Begin Again
As the end of March neared, I realized something: I wasn’t where I wanted to be. Or, perhaps it was more so that in the first three months of 2022, I hadn’t achieved what I’d set out to do. Somewhere, and somehow, along the way, I’d lost sight of my raison d’être. Not just in terms of my writing, but who I believed I could be/become.
Too many days unfocused. Too many days wondering in the hinterland of doubt and despair. Wondering more, ‘What’s the point?’ instead of asking myself, ‘What ...
March 1, 2022
The Standoff
This is a continuation of ‘Time to Regroup‘
“Let’s try this again,” Brian spat and hit the ‘Record’ button. “What is your relationship to Angelique Romeo.”
Clarke winced as he tried to move his leg. “I was part of an operation called Excelsior. It was a clandestine mission to take out people who were considered enemies of the state. Not just to our country, but principally the members of the G7. Each member nation had an Excelsior team with their own hit list.” He paused. “My team killed Angeli...
February 1, 2022
Time to Regroup
This is a continuation of ‘Have a Plan C‘
“You make one stupid move,” Michael growled, his knee pressed into Demers’s back, “and I’ll put you down myself.” He stood, grabbed Demers by the collar of his jacket and yanked him to his feet. As he swung Demers around to hand off to one of the men wearing a black camouflage uniform, his gaze landed on the figure limping towards him. “Didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
“You took my car,” Josh said with an edge. “Just making sure it’s still in one piec...
January 4, 2022
Always Have a Plan C
This is a continuation of ‘Don’t Test Me‘
“Don’t you dare move!” Brian barked, his gun aimed at the man bent over and coughing. He fingered the trigger. “I swear, you move and I’ll put a bullet in your head.”
Adam Clarke slowly lifted his head. “You wouldn’t —”
A shot rang out.
“Brian, stand down!” Michael ordered.
“That was a warning,” Brian cautioned. “And apparently, Dad, you don’t know what I would or wouldn’t do.”
“You’re not my son,” Clarke shot back. “Your mother was a whore before I met...
December 21, 2021
Don’t Test Me
This is a continuation of ‘I’m Coming for You‘
Men and women in dark tactical uniforms, weapons drawn, entered the building and streamed towards Michael, who stood over Winchester’s body. Michael threw a knowing look at the acknowledged leader, who then signalled to the others to lower their weapons.
“Secure the premises,” said the guy with brown hair sticking out from under the black ballcap. As the others fanned out, he approached Michael and extended his hand. “Special Agent Burke.”
Michael ...
