Focus.

What's in Store

1. Quote of the Week

2. Workout of the Week

3. Something We Learned this Week

4. Monarx Update

5. Recommendation of the Week

Quote of the Week

Workout of the Week

Something We Learned this Week

In a previous post, we discussed the recent discovery of microplastics in human blood. Since then, I’ve delved deeper into the issue and found it to be even more pervasive than I originally thought.

Below is some data that measures the phthalates in common foods. For additional context, phthalates are compounds used to soften plastics and are commonly found in items such as ziplock bags, polyester, and trash bags.

Scientists are still unsure about the exact amount of phthalates that are unsafe, but they are certain these compounds can be carcinogenic, i.e. cause cancer.

What’s interesting is that the problem isn’t limited to final product packaging. It affects the entire food supply chain. At any point where a product comes into contact with plastic, more phthalates can leach into your food. Shit, these compounds can even be introduced before your food is food. For example, when pigs consume animal feed with high levels of phthalates, these compounds can accumulate in their tissue, eventually ending up in the pork we eat.

This data comes from an article written in January by Lauren F. Friedman.

Monarx Update

This Sunday, we will be releasing a limited edition, made-to-order hoodie. These hoodies commemorate Ethan’s 200-mile ultra marathon back in April. Since they are made to order, we are only producing 10. If you want one, you’ll need to act quickly when they drop. Here are the details:

• The site will remain password protected throughout the weekend.

• At 8 PM EST, we will send out the password via this email distribution list.

• The site password will expire on Sunday, June 9th.

As a heads up, because these pieces are made to order, please be patient with extended lead times.

Recommendation of the Week

There is an old tale of a farmer.

On Monday morning, the farmer woke up and set out to collect eggs from the chicken coop. On the way to the coop, he realized one of the cows had kicked a hole in the fence.

“Ah Shit, I should probably fix that before one of the cattle gets loose,” he thought.

The farmer headed to the tool shed to grab wood, a hammer, and nails. In the shed, he noticed the propane tank was alarmingly low.

“With a storm on the way this afternoon, I better run to the store and grab some propane for the generator before it’s too late,” he decided.

The farmer ran into the house to grab his keys. On his way in, he realized how much time had passed and remembered he was supposed to make his wife breakfast.

* Propane later, bacon, pancakes, eggs now *

eggs…

This farmer is easily distracted, but his story reflects many of us. We are often tormented by intrusive thoughts and false priorities. To the farmer, a cow getting loose seemed more important than collecting eggs. Similarly, ensuring the generator had fuel felt more urgent than fixing the fence. At the end of the day, nothing gets done, and projects are neglected before anything is accomplished.

In the first world of 2024, we are bombarded by sensory overload. I’m sure you can relate—there have been times when I’ve pulled out my phone to check into a flight, but one thing leads to another, and 15 minutes later, I’m watching Mavericks/Timberwolves highlights.

This is a trivial example, but the stakes can be higher, and the consequences more severe when we lack focus. Consider Alex, a promising young professional who has just landed a coveted position at a top-tier firm. Alex is ambitious and has clear goals: climb the corporate ladder, secure a leadership role, and make a significant impact in the industry. On the first day, Alex is determined to make a strong impression and starts by drafting a detailed plan for an important project.

As Alex works, a notification pops up about an upcoming industry conference. Thinking it could be a great networking opportunity, Alex starts researching the event. This leads to checking social media to see who else is attending, which in turn leads to watching a series of industry-related videos. Suddenly, a few hours have passed, and the project plan remains unfinished.

Realizing the time, Alex switches back to the project but is soon interrupted by a colleague needing help with a minor task. Feeling the pressure to be a team player, Alex agrees to assist, which takes up more time than anticipated. By the end of the day, Alex has made little progress on the critical project, despite working diligently on various seemingly important tasks.

This pattern continues for weeks. Alex attends numerous meetings, participates in various committees, and engages in constant networking. While these activities are valuable, the core responsibilities and main project suffer. As deadlines approach, the stress mounts, and Alex finds it challenging to meet expectations.

In our fast-paced, distraction-filled world, it’s easy to get sidetracked by seemingly urgent but ultimately trivial tasks. We must learn to prioritize what truly matters and commit to seeing it through. Most distractions stem from a false sense of urgency or a lack of self-discipline. To achieve meaningful progress and success, we must focus relentlessly on our primary goals. Stay committed, see things through, and don’t let the noise of the world drown out what’s truly important.

This week’s password will announced in a separate email on Sunday at 8pm EST.