Grasping at Straws

Finding Focus in the Chaos

Sitting in a coffee shop in Ipoh, Malaysia, sipping on a cup of the city’s famous white coffee, I noticed something small but striking: the straw was made from coffee beans. A simple yet thoughtful innovation, blending sustainability with tradition. It made me think about the current unrest in the United States, and how, regardless of politics, there’s a shared undercurrent: a feeling that so much is changing, and fast. When I say a lot, I mean a lot.

Some of these changes feel arbitrary, like the end of the procurement and forced use of biodegradable straws, a perplexing policy shift. Other changes are seismic, shaking industries, institutions, and individual lives. And in moments like these, it’s especially critical that founders, leaders, and other future-makers pause before charging into the day’s work.

The reality is, whether we acknowledge it or not, most of us are operating in a heightened state. We might believe we’re in control, pushing forward with clarity, but the truth is often more complex. Maybe we’re stalled, lacking focus without realizing it. Maybe we’re overloaded, in need of a reset. Or, worse, maybe we’re depleted, running on fumes and calling it perseverance.

If we took just 5-10 minutes each morning to check in with ourselves, we might make radically different choices; about how we lead, how we make decisions, and how we engage with the people around us. Instead of defaulting to reaction mode, we could bring intention to our work and our interactions, ensuring we’re not just moving, but moving with purpose.

So before you blaze into your next meeting, email, or decision: pause. Take stock of your energy, your focus, and your readiness. A few minutes of self-assessment might just change the trajectory of your day, and in the long run, the impact you make.

P.S. In a truly baffling twist, the United States exports much of its plastic waste to Malaysia while simultaneously mandating a return to plastic straws. So while America doubles down on waste, places like Ipoh are left to deal with the fallout; yet they’re the ones quietly innovating in sustainability. Maybe there’s a lesson in there somewhere.