Back from MANifest: Focus Mode Activated

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Hey there!

Just got back from Manifest, and here's the thing... I walked in with my skeptical eyebrow raised and walked out thinking "damn, these people created something special."

130 Men coming together to be seen, heard, supported and healed is a much needed thing in our society.

But the real gold? This weekend away from my usual chaos gave me the kind of clarity you can't get when you're buried in your inbox.

Ever have one of those moments where you step back and think "what the heck have I been doing?"

That smacked me right in the face Monday morning when I sat down at my desk.

Why You Should Give All the Cares:

• Focus Formula: How cutting the dead weight can 10x your revenue potential

• AI Parenting Revolution: Teaching busy parents to reclaim their sanity with AI

• Leadership Level-Up: Why I'm betting big on connecting with other entrepreneurs

• AI Gone Wild: Grok's new anime girlfriends and what it means for humanity

Family Integration: Actually Getting It Right This Time

Last men's workshop I attended? I came home like some enlightened guru ready to fix everyone's problems.

Huge mistake.

My wife had been handling everything solo for 5 days. Instead of asking how her weekend went, I immediately started sharing how "life-changing" my experience was.

That conversation went about as well as you'd expect.

This time we did something different.

Brought the whole family to the event. Let them see me in my element, doing the work, connecting with other guys who are figuring this stuff out.

Here's what I learned: When you go away to work on yourself, your people at home are doing their own work too. Honor that.

The Focus Reset: Goodbye Spaghetti Strategy

Coming back from the weekend, I had this uncomfortable realization staring me in the face.

I was running my business like a headless chicken.

Operating from fear and urgency. Saying yes to every project that knocked on my door. Classic entrepreneur move, right? Throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.

But here's the brutal truth: most of it wasn't sticking. And the stuff that was? Barely moving the revenue needle.

So I did something that felt scary but necessary.

I started cutting.

Cancelled projects that were just eating my time. Dropped software subscriptions that were collecting digital dust. Even said goodbye to a few clients who were more energy drain than profit center.

Then I created what I call the RISE evaluation system:

If a project doesn't hit all four? It's a no.

The result? My desk is cleaner, my head is clearer, and I can actually focus on work that matters.

Like This: AI for Busy Parents

With my newfound focus, I'm launching something that actually gets me excited to wake up in the morning.

AI for Busy Parents - a 4-week deep dive where I'm sharing 2 years of trial and error using AI with my family.

We're talking about those 5 PM moments when you realize you have no clue what's for dinner.

Research for family trips that doesn't take three hours and result in 47 open browser tabs.

Scheduling chaos that makes your brain hurt.

Homework help that doesn't make you want to fake your own death.

Look, AI isn't just for tech nerds in hoodies. It's for parents who are drowning in the daily grind and need their sanity back.

Here's what we'll cover each week:

• Meal planning that doesn't suck

• Travel research in minutes instead of hours

• Educational support without the meltdowns

• Time-saving tricks that give you back your evenings

Save your spot today

If you know a parent who's barely keeping their head above water, this might just save their sanity.

No joke.

Connecting with People Who Get It

I also joined “Connected Leadership Academy" this week packed with folks who speak on stages around the world and write bestselling books.

These people are operating at a level I want to reach.

Here's what I've figured out: you become who you hang around.

So instead of grinding alone in my home office, wondering if I'm even moving in the right direction, I'm investing in getting into rooms with entrepreneurs and coaches who are already crushing it.

Sometimes the smartest strategy is just being around the right people at the right time.

AI Getting Weird Out There

While we're talking about AI, things are getting seriously strange in tech land.

Grok just dropped character companions. We're talking anime girls in burlesque outfits and smart-mouthed raccoons you can have full conversations with about quantum physics.

I'm not making this up.

This is a giant red flag for where we're headed. AI girlfriends and boyfriends aren't some distant sci-fi concept anymore - they're basically here.

While everyone's getting excited about chatting with digital characters, I found something actually useful: Venice.ai (Bookmark)

Think ChatGPT's rebellious cousin who doesn't follow corporate rules. Uncensored, private, and genuinely helpful for real work.

Worth checking out if you want AI without the safety rails.

Rising Moon Festival: Family Fun in Real Life

This weekend, I'm trading screens for stages.

DJing at Rising Moon Festival right here in Bellingham - one of the most wholesome, family-friendly festivals you'll find.

It's literally down the street from me, on a gorgeous farm where like-minded folks gather to unplug and remember what actually matters.

After a week of cutting digital fat and focusing on what's real, spending Saturday night spinning beats for my community feels like the perfect reset.

If you're in the area, come through. If not, find something similar in your neck of the woods.

These summer moments? They're precious. Family over work, always.

Today’s Takeaways:

1. Integration Over Isolation: Bring your people into your growth journey

2. Focus Formula: RISE evaluation saves time, energy, and money

3. AI for Real Life: Parents need practical solutions, not tech fantasy

4. Family Over Everything: Summer moments are finite, make them count

Alright, that's the real talk for this week.

Now get out there, trim your own fat, and focus on what actually matters.

Your future self will thank you.

Stay grounded and keep crushing it,

Joshua | The Holistic Tech Wizard

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