Marcus Lopés

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Writing Off the Grid

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.

Into the Storm

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into the storm

Lately, I’ve thought a lot about a line from a hymn we sang often in church when I was growing up: “Keep me safe till the storm passes by.”

Because I’m in the storm, battered by high winds, trying to outrun the tsunami aiming for me, buried under thirty inches of snow and trying to claw my way out. Translation: trying to do it all and getting nowhere fast.

And like a hurricane, this storm has a name: change.

As a writer with a day job, I’m searching for another one that will give me more time for my writing (working with an increasingly impatient and abusive public is constantly testing my patience and my commitment to being kinder). I’m struggling to reduce my sugar intake … it seems harder to do this time. Still sidelined from running with a foot injury, I’m trying to find another way to stay active. [Read more…] about Into the Storm

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

The Knives are Out

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the knives are out

This is a continuation of ‘Target in Sight‘

“Tell me about Excelsior,” Michael said flatly.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” the prime minister said with an air of defeat and leaned back in his chair. “It was my first time leading a covert op as a Major-General, and making the decision to engage from a war room. Everything about Excelsior, then, seemed so necessary given what was happening in the world.”

“Angelique Romero is out for revenge,” Michael said bluntly. “More than that, actually.”

“God, I haven’t heard that name in years.” The prime minister ran his hand across his wet mouth. “When I gave the order to take out her father, I didn’t know she was standing four feet away from him. It wasn’t until I read the report…” He drew in a breath. “I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for her.”

“I need you to focus, Prime Minister.” Michael glanced at the door when he thought he heard a noise. Nothing. Then he slid to the edge of his chair and trained his gaze back at his ‘boss.’ “We know that Angelique has someone working on your security detail, but we’ve yet to identify him. We believe he’s somewhere on the premises now. Two of my associates are outside the front gate. I could use their help to find and neutralize him.” [Read more…] about The Knives are Out

Kindness Matters

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kindness matters

In a post two weeks ago, I mentioned that my cousin Markus had passed away suddenly. I hadn’t seen him in a long time, but his death was a shock. It reminded me about the importance of living life boldly (not recklessly) and, more importantly, being true to [your] self. Or, I like to think of it like this: live your life your way, by your own rules, and ignore all the noise and opinions of other people.

As Markus’s family, friends, and colleagues gathered on 24 June to celebrate his life, people talked about his kindness, his generosity, how he loved you for you, his body-crushing hugs. We all came away promising to carry on Markus’s legacy by being a little more kind, a little more generous. Or, as a LinkedIn user put it, ‘[…] to be a Markus Templer.’ [Read more…] about Kindness Matters