Marcus Lopés

LGTBQIA2S+ Author, Blogger, Runner

Writing Life

Becoming My Best

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I am a lot of things, but I am not perfect. But I am always learning, always trying to do better and be better. That’s not always easy because, while I know I’m far from perfect, I chase perfectionism. That means that I set high standards and am hard on myself when I fall short. But in everything that I do, it’s about becoming my best self.

Self-Discipline

I’m counting down the days for the year (it’s a bit more than that, actually) that I’m stepping back from social media. It’s Day 371 (counting down, remember) on this journey. The goal isn’t just about cutting out the noise. It’s also about developing the discipline—the self-mastery, if you will—to keep the main thing the main thing. [Read more…] about Becoming My Best

The Hardest Part of Change

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hardest part of change
Staying focused on what matters.

In the few short days that I have been off social media, I have already noticed a shift. I don’t feel overwhelmed. Because I’m no longer trying to do things that aren’t important to me. I’m not rushing in the morning to record, edit, or post videos for social media—or worrying about their possible virality. I’m also not scrambling to squeeze in some writing time, or wondering if I can get out for a run or to the gym. Instead, I am focused on doing the things that matter. But I need to share with you the hardest part of change… [Read more…] about The Hardest Part of Change

There is Always an Excuse

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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 excuses I’d come up with to not do something. The times I said to myself I couldn’t go to the gym because of my work schedule. The mornings, recently, when I put off running because I told myself there just wasn’t enough time. Or knowing that at 1:00 am, when I arrive home from work, that I shouldn’t snack but do it anyway (even though I’m not hungry), and then say I’ll stop next week. And that became the week after that and the week after that. [Read more…] about There is Always an Excuse

Go All In

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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 in.

Other times… [Read more…] about Go All In

On Momentum

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momentumThis 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 fierceness. It killed our momentum. [Read more…] about On Momentum