Marcus Lopés

LGTBQIA2S+ Author, Blogger, Runner

dreams

It Wasn’t Supposed to be Like This

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The last thing I wanted to do was travel during a global pandemic. The idea of being stuck on a plane for hours with others held zero appeal. In fact, just thinking about it made me even more anxious and paranoid. But on 30 September, I flew to Edmonton to see a dear friend who was diagnosed with glioblastoma in August. Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor. My friend’s diagnosis has left me in shock, and I’m asking myself a lot of questions about life and this journey. And one thought runs constantly through my mind: it wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Don’t Wait

wasn't supposed to be like thisIn life, we’re always waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect opportunity that we believe will allow us to pursue a dream or goal. I hear people say, “When I retire…” or “Once I get a new job…” or “When I’ve saved ‘X’ amount…” The problem is that when we wait, we’re kind of tempting fate. We hope that when all those perfects align, we’ll take the plunge and do the thing that calls to us. But, sometimes, life has other plans for us.

So, don’t wait. Whatever you need to do, or feel compelled to do, do it now. Take one small step forward that sets you on the path to achieving your goals. It doesn’t all have to be done at once. You don’t have to wait until everything is perfect. Because it may never be.

It Wasn’t Supposed to be Like This

I had a great visit with my friend, even though it was tough to see her in pain and how tired she was after radiation therapy. (But I am forever grateful to the thoughtful and dedicated staff at the Cross Cancer Centre for their marvellous care.) We shared some great belly laughs, and tears. Quiet moments of reflection and power naps. (Falling asleep in a hospital chair can really put a kink in your neck!). Twenty-six years of friendship, we’re not just friends. We’re more like brother and sister.

And, still, that thought is ever-present: it wasn’t supposed to be like this. Yet this is the reality we face. And, if anything, it’s a wake-up call.

Don’t wait. Do what you love. Live your best life.

Going Dark

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Crossing the finish line of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2019.

This year has been about living my best life — doing what I love and staying focused on what matters. It challenged me to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of and step outside of my comfort zone, when going dark and off the grid was what I often craved.

The Struggle and the Prize

It wasn’t always easy. There were times when writing Broken Man Broke almost ‘broke’ me. Training for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, I didn’t always feel like running — especially when it rained or when the temperatures soared to 40°C. Some days, trying to be the best version of myself meant fending off the doubt and negativity that battled for dominion. But I didn’t give up, wouldn’t be beaten. I kept my eye on the prize and pushed on to live the life I imagined for myself. [Read more…] about Going Dark

The Homestretch

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Temperatures dip consistently below zero. Black Friday sales ads dominate the airwaves. The sun rises later and sets earlier. And soon, if you haven’t heard them already, Christmas songs will bombard us everywhere we go. Sure signs that we’re in the homestretch as 2019 winds down.

The Beginning

At the beginning of 2019, I started off pumped. This would be a year of transformation and personal growth. I took it seriously, too. Devoured books on productivity, leadership and high performance (High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard; Company of One by Paul Jarvis; Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt; The Latte Factor by David Bach … to name a few). Set goals — actually wrote them down and reviewed them daily. Enrolled in online training and attended webinars. Published a book. Trained for, and completed, a marathon.

It’s mid-November, and I’m still pumped. I’ve pushed myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. I’m not the same man I was when the year began. I have been transformed. And that has me asking several questions. One in particular…

Am I Headed in the Right Direction?

homestretchAs the year draws to a close, something about my accomplishments feels hollow. Don’t get me wrong… Running a marathon and publishing a book are huge accomplishments. Instead of just talking about doing something, I showed up daily to do the work — even when I didn’t feel like it. Looking back on this journey, I realized that I was, in part, chasing someone else’s dream. I was no longer certain that I was headed in the right direction.

After reading so many books and completing various training courses, processing so much information on how to become more efficient and productive overwhelmed. I devoted too much, perhaps, time to figuring out the processes and hacks that would potentially make me more productive — elevate me to that realm of high achiever — than actually doing the work I love. Even more time spent watching and helping others realize their dreams than building my own. As they entered the homestretch, I still hovered around first base. I knew something had to change.

The Homestretch

In these final weeks of 2019, I’ve turned my focus back to the things I love to do: writing, running, cooking/baking, reading, visiting museums, et. al. I’m showing up to be present in all that I do instead of being overly concerned about how to do these things more efficiently. Really, who was I kidding? Trying to become more productive is like binge watching Amazon Prime. Watching every episode of Jack Ryan (John Krasinski and Wendell Pierce excel in this series if you haven’t checked it) is just another way to put off doing the work.

We each have our own rhythms and processes that energize us in the homestretch. What works for one person may not work for you or me. And I’m okay with crossing the finish line at my own pace and in my own time. Because it’s all about the journey.

And now I know I’m headed in the right direction.

Do you spend too much time planning than working on your goals? Are you happy with what you’ve achieved so far this year? What can you do differently in the next six weeks to ensure your continued success? Click Reply to let me know. I love hearing from you!

The Power of a Dream

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dreamI’m so excited because on November 21, 2019 — in just eight days — my next book will be released. For a long time, I dreamed of being a writer, having books in print, and sharing stories with the world. And now the dream is in full swing.

Never Give Up

I’m at this point in my writing journey, self-publishing my third book, because I never gave up. I faced down resistance, doubt, and fear. I stopped worrying about what other people thought and just showed up to write. One word at a time, one sentence at a time, the stories came to life. Through determination, courage, and hard work, the power of my dream pushed me across the finish line. I never gave up on my dream. [Read more…] about The Power of a Dream

10 Quotes that Inspire

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quoteI’ll be honest…

There are days when I don’t feel like writing. It’s not that I’m blocked, but that I’m procrastinating. I want to catch up on the latest season of Jack Ryan, or episodes of Prodigal Son. That’s a sign of two things: 1) I’m getting close to finishing something and not knowing what I’m supposed to do next; and 2) Doubt is trying to have dominion. And if I let doubt in, I’ll question my talent and my worth, and then start asking, “What’s the point?”

Inspired

Part of my morning ritual is to read a quote that inspires and keeps me motivated. I write the quote in my planner, and seeing it throughout the day gets me to the page. Today, I’m sharing ten of my favourite quotes that inspire me. Hopefully, they’ll inspire you, too.

  1. “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” – Rosa Parks

  2. “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” – Pablo Picasso

  3. “All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.” – Earl Nightingale

  4. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” – Steve Jobs

  5. “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohn

  6. “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

  7. “Greatness belongs to those who have mastered the ability to focus relentlessly on their ambitions and act decisively towards them.” – Brendon Burchard

  8. “If you dream it, you can achieve it.” – Zig Ziglar

  9. “We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” – Marie Curie

  10. “Risk more that others think is safe. Dream more than others think is practical.” – Howard Shultz

Do you have a quote that inspires you? Click Reply to share. I love hearing from you!