Marcus Lopes's Blog, page 29
July 23, 2019
Cutting Out the Noise
Chasing down big dreams, another lesson I’ve learned is this: cut out the noise.
Battling Social MediaFor me, that ‘noise’ is social media — Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and e-mail. We could argue (I won’t, though) that smartphones make our lives easier. But the new norm is for us to be available 24/7. Scared we’re going to miss out on something, we’re always reaching for our phones (next time you’re outside, take a moment to observe the number of people walking with their heads down and glue...
July 16, 2019
Will You Rise Up?
Some things stick to you the way the goodness of Martha Stewart’s golden caramels cling to all the tiny crevasses of your teeth (here’s the recipe; my peeps rave about them when I make them à la Marcus). And since discovering it years ago, Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice has stuck to me: “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” It’s been a compelling call to action to rise up.
Almost Ready to Give Up
After my tumble a few weeks ago — my ego more bruised than my knee — I wasn’t sure I’d run...
July 9, 2019
After the Fall…
I wish you could have been there with me. But if you’re like most ‘normal’ people, you were probably still sleeping.
It was Saturday, 28 June 2019, and at 5:30 am I left my condo for my morning run. When I hit the Martin Goodman Trail, and even though the sun was on the rise, I could only see a couple of hundred yards ahead due to the thick fog. Running away from the downtown core towards the Humber Bay Arch Bridge, the view was spectacular. The fog blanketing the city rendered the CN Tower —...
July 2, 2019
Bring the Joy!
I’m not ashamed to say it: I’m socially awkward. It’s one reason I like being a writer. Through words, I create worlds where I fit in and can be me. Places where I can bring the joy.
A Slow Walk to Truth
Growing up, I studied piano and displayed a ‘natural’ talent for it. But I dreaded the year-end concerts, playing in church or being the guest soloist at special services. Just the idea of performing in public set my insides on fire. I didn’t like the spotlight, and eventually stepped away fr...
June 25, 2019
What’s the Big Deal?
During a recent flight to London, when asked if I would be joining my colleagues for Happy Hour at the hotel bar, I gave my standard answer: “No, I don’t drink anymore.”
“Good for you,” was the surprised response. “Guess you’re saving a lot of money.”
Although I didn’t want to brag, my colleague was right. I have saved a lot of money by cutting alcohol from my life. But that wasn’t why I gave it up.
Time for a Reset
As a writer, I’ve always wanted to write more, be more productive. Prolific,...
June 18, 2019
You Got to Move
Growing up, I attended church faithfully every Sunday. It was something we did as a family, (and the rule in our house). While I sat in abject boredom during the sermons, I loved it when the congregation sang the hymns or the choir performed. I’d belt out the words or ad lib during those old-time, gospel spirituals that had everyone standing on their feet and clapping to the beat. We were black and Baptist, and carrying on the traditions of our ancestors. The music seemed to uplift the soul,...
June 11, 2019
What Happens When You Rush…
Something happened last week that I’m not proud of. Maybe I’m overreacting. I just like things done a certain way, set high expectations for myself, and am, undoubtedly, my worst critic. I’m a perfectionist. I thought that was a good thing. Now, I’m not so sure.
A Little Context
This year, I’ve been focusing on becoming the best version of myself. I’ve devoured Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles, and Brendon Burchard’s The Charge, High Performance Habits, The Millionaire Messenger, Life’s...
June 4, 2019
The ‘One Day’ Syndrome
In my early twenties, I realized I wanted to be a writer. Not a writer who wrote just for the love of it. A writer — a bestselling author whose books inspire and stay with readers long after they put them down. And even though I’d been honest with myself and acknowledged my dream, I acted like someone who was ashamed of it. Who was I to want to be a writer? What did I have to say? And would people care or listen? That was the doubt speaking. And while I did write, I approached it half-hearted...
May 28, 2019
How to Outrun Procrastination
A while ago on Twitter, I had a number of exchanges with other artists (mostly writers) about what they’d accomplished during the day. The responses varied. Someone had been working on book two of a romance trilogy. Another had polished a short story they planned to submit for publication. Someone else had a Sci-Fi-horror feature in the works. Someone admitted to not having had a productive day. Procrastination came knocking on the door, which they’d answered and let in that sly-smiling curmu...
May 21, 2019
Productivity Hack: Eliminate the Time-Suck
What do you want to do more of? Write? Spend time with your family? Paint? There’s a solution: eliminate the time-suck.
The key to getting more done or doing more of what you love isn’t about managing time more efficiently. We can’t change that there are sixty minutes in an hour, 168 hours in a week, 52 weeks in a year…
What we can do is monitor how we spend our time. How many hours do you spend watching TV each day? Hooked on The Bachelor, The Walking Dead or The Voice? Or how often do you p...
