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- What Fasting Taught Me About Focus, Fatherhood, and Seeing What Really Matters
What Fasting Taught Me About Focus, Fatherhood, and Seeing What Really Matters
Why Less Noise, Less Food, and Less Distraction Might Be the Key to More Presence
Geoffrey Griffin
April 16, 2025
Focused Content
In today’s edition of The Focused Fool, we explore what happens when you stop filling every moment—and start paying attention to what’s already there.
Inside Focused Purpose, I’m sharing what a 36-hour fast unexpectedly revealed about presence, perception, and fatherhood—and how strategic emptiness might just be the path to more clarity.
In Focused Insights, today’s picks are about embracing the reality that growth isn’t clean, love isn’t automatic, and losing isn’t failure.
From the myth of fresh starts, to the emotional skill real connection requires, to the unexpected strength found in setbacks—each one invites you to slow down, reflect, and stay present through the imperfect moments that actually shape us.
In Focused Action, we keep it simple: 30 minutes of undistracted time doing what your kid loves most. No phones. No plans. Just presence.
And in Focused Wonder, a question to open space for self-reflection—from your child and maybe from you, too.
The less you carry, the more you can see.
Let’s get into it.
Focused Purpose
I was surrounded by the people I love most—and still felt distant.
Not because I didn’t care. But because I was too full… of stress, noise, pressure, and distraction.
Then, during a 36-hour fast, something unexpected happened—my senses sharpened, my mind cleared, and I started seeing my life (and my family) differently.
This article explores how strategic emptiness—through fasting, silence, or simple pauses—can help you reconnect to what really matters.
One simple truth I learned:
The less you fill every moment, the more you can actually see the ones that count.
Focused Insights
Curated recommendations to challenge your thinking, inspire action, or simply make you pause and reflect.
The Imperfectionist by Oliver Burkeman
“There’s no such thing as a fresh start”
A powerful reminder that growth isn’t about wiping the slate clean—it’s about showing up fully, flaws and all, in the messy middle of real life.
The Growth Equation by Brad Stulberg
“The Importance of Learning How to Lose Well”
Losing isn’t failure—it’s training. This piece explores how setbacks shape resilience, and why learning to lose is essential for long-term success.
“Love isn’t Enough” with Jillian Turecki
Love matters—but it’s not the whole picture. In this episode, Jillian breaks down what lasting connection actually requires: presence, responsibility, and emotional skill.
Focused Partners
Is pushing kids to get good grades the fastest way to raise successful children?
Surprisingly, the answer is NO.
Focusing solely on academics makes up just a small part of what truly nurtures a child's self-belief and independence.
So what's the real game changer in raising unstoppable kids?
It’s all about getting them to learn critical life skills.
Did you know skills like problem-solving, creativity, financial literacy and resilience make the difference between those who succeed and those who struggle later in life?
This is way more impactful than just pushing for good grades.
Unfortunately, many parents waste hundreds of dollars every month on tutors and academic programs focusing only on rote learning.
While adding tremendous amounts of stress to young kids.
Smart parents are discovering this simple solution to spark their child's fire for self-driven achievement, raising confident leaders fast.
Focused Action
Every month, The Focused Fool brings you a series of Focused Actions—practical, bite-sized steps designed to help you grow as a father, husband, and man. Each month follows a specific theme, broken down into 12 structured actions (3 per week) that build on each other over the course of the month.
These actions are designed to be simple, achievable, and impactful, helping you establish new habits, strengthen relationships, and refine your personal leadership. Whether you follow the entire series or just a few steps, each action is a stepping stone toward becoming the man you want to be.
This month’s theme: Presence—Building intentional time with your kids and spouse.
Engage in Play
Action: Spend at least 30 minutes in an activity of your child’s choosing—follow their lead.
Prompt: Observe their joy and creativity. Write down what made them happiest.
Focused Wonder
Focused questions designed to spark meaningful dialogue—whether at the dinner table, during a car ride, or at bedtime. Use these questions to build trust, curiosity, and laughter in your relationships.
What is something that makes you feel at peace with yourself?
Focused Motion
Curated videos to help make you think, to motivate, or to just laugh.
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