Marcus Lopés

LGTBQIA2S+ Author, Blogger, Runner

deep work

Notifications Off

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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 embrace and apply the concept of deep work in my life begins in my mind. While my social media use is down considerably, when I go long stretches of not being on it I can’t escape that feeling that maybe I’m missing out on something. But am I really missing out on something that, even when I’m using it, I’m not fully engaged with?

Notifications off … it’s a starting point and, ultimately, the key to me doing more deep work and regaining focus in this distracted world.

The ‘Art’ of Discipline

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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 intentions — I’m still reaching for my phone, those early morning hours give me (usually) the space and focus to move my creative projects forward. Slowly. Intentionally. Steadily. [Read more…] about The ‘Art’ of Discipline

Reset: Cleaning Up My Inbox

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reset cleaning up my inbox

As a writer, I recognize the value and importance of a mailing list. It’s a great tool, when used effectively, that helps creators build an audience and engage with their followers. And I enjoy reading and responding to the messages I receive. Some people tell me that they liked one of my books or a character or ask about a sequel. Others share what’s happening in their lives. It’s great building those connections.

But over the years, I’ve found myself signing up for numerous mailing lists — to receive a free download on the latest marketing trends for creators, or when registering for a webinar, or to be notified of upcoming book deals.

Next thing I knew, my inbox was exploding every day. More and more new messages arriving, and staying there for days (more like weeks) unread. I’d tell myself I’d eventually read them, but I only ever ended up deleting them.

About a month ago, in conjunction with my ‘purging’ of social media, I decided to cleanup my mailing list subscriptions. What’s the point of being on a mailing list if, deep down, I have no intention of reading the content or engaging with it? [Read more…] about Reset: Cleaning Up My Inbox

Stepping Back (Again) from Social Media

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It takes discipline not to let social media steal your time.
— Alex Ohanian

As a writer with a day job — and getting older — I am thinking more about how I spend my time. Writing a book isn’t easy, and it involves a huge time commitment. For me, it means getting up in the middle of the night to write before heading to work. That generally means that in the evening I’m too mentally exhausted to write.

A few weeks ago, I spent a couple of weeks monitoring my daily screen time. I was flabbergasted by what I learned about myself. Some days I’d watch a show/movie on Prime Video, play a game, check in on social media, and/or catch up on news headlines (especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine). There were weeks when my screen time averaged 9 hours (or, sadly, more) a day. During that period, I had one utterly unfocused, unproductive day when I spent more than 14 hours using my phone. Scary! [Read more…] about Stepping Back (Again) from Social Media

Is this all there is to life?

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Digital minimalism definitively does not reject the innovations of the internet age, but instead rejects the way so many people currently engage with these tools.” — Cal Newport, Digital Minimalism 

It’s not new. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with social media. Perhaps it is because, by nature, I’m an introvert. Social interactions—with people I care deeply about, yet even more so with those I don’t—leave me drained.

Over the past four to five years, I’ve tried to find a ‘balanced approach’ to social media. But I haven’t succeeded. At times I go all in, posting regularly and consistently as the experts tell us we should to build an audience. Other times, I withdraw for a few weeks…or a few months. Whether I’m online or offline, both states create a feeling that I’m ‘missing’ something. [Read more…] about Is this all there is to life?