Gents Weekly: Focus

Issue #8: The manliest newsletter on the internet • March 2, 2026

Gents Journey

Mar 02, 2026

Welcome to issue #8 of The Gents Weekly, a newsletter for the modern man.

Every Monday, you’ll receive a weekly roundup of inspiring ideas + products to help you become a better man.

Brought to you by the men of Gents Journey — Dean Bokhari, Stephen Seidel, and Matt McManus.

Let’s dig in…

📝 THE MESSAGE

A timely piece from the gents.
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This week’s issue of the Gents Weekly is all about FOCUS.

As someone who teaches focus and productivity for a living, I’ve become intimately familiar with what causes a lack of it, and what you can do to strengthen your focus.

Before I share what you can do to get yourself focused, let me share a few things that keep you from focusing in the first place…

3 things that steal your focus:

Multitasking. Don’t do it. Ever. The human brain is designed to focus on one big thing at a time. If you try to do two things at once, both tasks will suffer.
The phone. Most people check their phones an average of 186 to 205 times per day, which equates to roughly once every 5 to 10 minutes. How could you possibly focus on anything meaningful if you’re checking your phone every five minutes? Here’s a simple tip: unless your work requires the phone, put it on DND mode or place it in a drawer while you’re working. Your productivity—and focus—will skyrocket.
Interruptions. Imagine this: you’re locked in and focused on a work project. You’re fully focused and really in flow… And then, someone barges into your office and asks you a question. Guess what happens after they leave? It takes you, on average, about 20 minutes to get focused again. Interruptions are too expensive. If you want to be truly productive—if you want laser-like focus—you’ve got to reduce or eliminate as many unnecessary interruptions from your life as possible. Here’s a simple tip to make it happen: place a sticky note on your door that says something like, “I’m focused on deep work between 8am-12pm. Please do not interrupt unless it’s an emergency.”

Now that you know what’s stealing your focus, let’s talk about what you can do to get focused—with a productivity framework I created called the 1-2-5 Method.

How to use the 1-2-5 Method™ to focus on your most important work:

The 1-2-5 Method™ is like a prioritization filter designed to stop you from over-committing and under-delivering. It limits your daily focus to exactly eight tasks across three tiers:

1 Big Thing: Write down the one big thing you must accomplish today no matter what.
- This is your most important action of the day and usually requires an hour or more to do.
- Start your day with this and don’t let go until you’re done. (Yes, of course, you have more than one thing to do. You can get to everything else after you’ve crushed your one big thing for the day.)
- Examples of 1BT tasks: work on a major project, review reports, deep clean the house, write 1500 words for your book, prepare for a speech, study for an exam, etc.
2 Medium Things: Write down two medium things you need to accomplish today.
- These are tasks that can be done in about an hour or less.
- ‘Medium things’ require some effort, but aren’t insanely challenging.
- Examples of 2MT tasks: working out, meetings, appointments, responding to emails, yard work, research for a larger project, etc.
5 Little Things: Write down five little things you can accomplish today.
- These are quick actions that can be handled in a single sitting, each of which usually takes 30 minutes or less to do.
- Examples of 5LT tasks: write one email, pickup prescription from CVS, call Yaseen, proofread the report submitted by Tanner, do a load of laundry, meditate for 10 minutes, crank out a quick H.I.I.T workout, etc.

The beauty of the 125Method™ is that it’s simple to use, and it dramatically improves your focus.

So, grab an index card or notepad (or the notes app on your phone or computer) and write your own 1-2-5 list for tomorrow. When you start your day, ignore the 2 Medium Things and the 5 Little Things until your 1 Big Thing is done.

To greater focus and higher productivity,

— Dean Bokhari
Co-founder, Gents Journey

📰 THE MOMENT

Sh*t that’s happening now, ICYMI
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This Week’s AI Prompt: Focus

Stop spreading yourself thin. Find the one thing that actually matters.

Most of us are drowning in distractions. We’ve got 47 browser tabs open, three side projects we’re “working on,” a to-do list that could fill a novel, and no idea what we’re actually building toward.

We mistake motion for progress. Busy for productive. Scattered for ambitious.

This week, we’re cutting through the noise.

This AI prompt helps you identify the ONE thing that deserves your focus right now—and gives you permission to let go of everything else.

HOW TO USE THIS PROMPT

STEP 1: Go to ChatGPT (chat.openai.com) or Claude (claude.ai)

STEP 2: Copy the prompt below and paste it in

STEP 3: Answer honestly—the AI will push you to get specific

STEP 4: Actually do what it tells you

THE PROMPT:

Copy everything below and paste it into your AI:

I'm scattered. I have too many things I'm trying to do, and I'm not making real progress on any of them. Help me get focused.

Help me:

1. List everything I'm currently working on or thinking about working on
   - Work projects, side hustles, goals, commitments, ideas
   - Be brutally honest—include the things I'm pretending I'll "get to eventually"

2. Identify which of these things are actually moving me toward what I want
   - What am I doing out of obligation vs. genuine purpose?
   - What am I doing because I think I "should" vs. because I actually care?
   - What's just noise?

3. Help me find THE ONE THING that deserves my focus right now
   - If I could only make progress on ONE thing this month, what should it be?
   - What would have the biggest impact on my life, career, or goals?
   - What am I avoiding because it's hard but know I need to do?

4. Create a "Stop Doing" list
   - What do I need to quit, delegate, or put on hold to make room for my One Thing?
   - What commitments am I keeping out of guilt that I should let go of?

5. Build a 30-day focus plan
   - What does progress on my One Thing look like week by week?
   - How do I protect my time and attention from everything else?
   - What's my accountability system?

Here's what I'm currently juggling: [List everything you're trying to do]

Here's what I think I want: [Describe your bigger goal or vision]

Be direct. Tell me what to focus on and what to let go of. Don't let me rationalize keeping everything on my plate.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The AI is going to make you uncomfortable. It’s going to tell you to quit things. It’s going to force you to choose.

That’s the point.

You can’t focus on everything. And pretending you can is why you’re stuck.

By the end of this prompt, you’ll have:

ONE clear priority for the next 30 days
A list of things you’re officially stopping
A plan to protect your focus from distractions
Permission to let go of the rest

WHY THIS MATTERS

Focus isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less—but doing the right thing.

Most people never figure out what their “right thing” is. They spend their whole lives reacting to whatever’s loudest, whatever’s urgent, whatever someone else asked them to do.

This prompt helps you stop reacting and start building.

Run this prompt this week. Find your One Thing. Let go of the rest.

Drop what you’re focusing on in the comments. Let’s hold each other accountable.

— Matt McManus
Co-founder, Gents Journey

👊 THE MOVES

Media for men.
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Watch | Never Break a Promise

Watch the video on the new Gents Journey YouTube channel (and remember to subscribe!), but here’s the core idea behind it:

Focus on Your Promises

We’re only as good as our word — especially with our kids.

When you say you’re going to do something, do it. They may forget what you bought them. They won’t forget whether you showed up.

What you focus on grows.
When you focus on keeping your word, your kids learn commitment.
When you hold yourself accountable, they see integrity in action.

You don’t have to be perfect, just consistent.

More is Caught than Taught

Your community is watching — not your speeches, but your patterns.

They see:

How you show up
Whether you follow through
What actually gets your attention

Time is limited. So your focus has to be intentional.

You don’t need to save the world like Superman.

Just show up: At practice. For dinner. In a conversation.

That’s what builds trust.
That’s what creates security.
That’s what forms real bonds — in brotherhood and in parenting.

Here’s a simple question to ask yourself from our Journey Deck: When’s a time someone has truly had your back?

Find Your Focal Points

If someone has ever truly had your back, you remember it. And if someone resonates with you while reading this, please text or call them.

Now ask yourself: where is your focus landing each day?

Take a simple inventory:

Where do you spend most of your time?
Who do you give your best energy to?
When was the last time you felt fully present — and happy?

Your answers reveal your real priorities.

This week, set one clear intention:
Make a promise — and keep it.

Ask your child, your spouse, or your brother:
“How can I make your week better?”

Then step up. Show up. Follow through.

Focus on what truly matters — and let the rest fall away.

And if it’s been a tough week already, check out this track focused on resilience, alright? Listen Here.

— Stephen Seidel
Co-founder, Gents Journey

🔗 MEANINGFUL MENTIONS + MAGIC LINKS

Fun stuff you’ll dig.

💻 REAL MEN HAVE A COACH IN THEIR CORNER

Stop playing small, step into the man you know you are.
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We’re looking for ten men who want coaching and guidance to level up in life + work. If that’s you, fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch.

Until next week,
—The Gents

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