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The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change
From bestselling author Jon Gordon and rising star Damon West comes The Coffee Bean an illustrated fable that teaches readers how to transform their environment, overcome challenges, and create positive change.
Life is often difficult. It can be harsh, stressful, and feel like a pot of boiling hot water. The environments we find ourselves in can change, weaken, or harden us, and test who we truly are. We can be like the carrot that weakens in the pot or like the egg that hardens. Or, we can be like the coffee bean and discover the power inside us to transform our environment.
The Coffee Bean is an inspiring tale that follows Abe, a young man filled with stress and fear as he faces challenges and pressure at school and home. One day after class, his teacher shares with him the life-changing lesson of the coffee bean, and this powerful message changes the way he thinks, acts, and sees the world. Abe discovers that instead of letting his environment change him for the worse, he can transform any environment he is in for the better. Equipped with this transformational truth, Abe embarks on an inspirational journey to live his life like the coffee bean. Wherever his life takes him, from school, to the military, to the business world, Abe demonstrates how this simple lesson can unleash the unstoppable power within you.
A delightful, quick read, The Coffee Bean is purposely written and designed for readers of all ages so that everyone can benefit from this transformational lesson. This is a book and message that, when read and shared, has the power to change your life and the world around you. You just have to decide: are you a carrot, egg, or coffee bean?
Life is often difficult. It can be harsh, stressful, and feel like a pot of boiling hot water. The environments we find ourselves in can change, weaken, or harden us, and test who we truly are. We can be like the carrot that weakens in the pot or like the egg that hardens. Or, we can be like the coffee bean and discover the power inside us to transform our environment.
The Coffee Bean is an inspiring tale that follows Abe, a young man filled with stress and fear as he faces challenges and pressure at school and home. One day after class, his teacher shares with him the life-changing lesson of the coffee bean, and this powerful message changes the way he thinks, acts, and sees the world. Abe discovers that instead of letting his environment change him for the worse, he can transform any environment he is in for the better. Equipped with this transformational truth, Abe embarks on an inspirational journey to live his life like the coffee bean. Wherever his life takes him, from school, to the military, to the business world, Abe demonstrates how this simple lesson can unleash the unstoppable power within you.
A delightful, quick read, The Coffee Bean is purposely written and designed for readers of all ages so that everyone can benefit from this transformational lesson. This is a book and message that, when read and shared, has the power to change your life and the world around you. You just have to decide: are you a carrot, egg, or coffee bean?
112 pages, Unknown Binding
First published June 26, 2019
400 people are currently reading
3553 people want to read
About the author
Jon Gordon
152 books667 followersJon Gordon is an American business consultant and author on the topics of leadership, culture, sales, and teamwork.
Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, and college coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals and non-profits. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The Goldfish, Soup, The Seed and his latest The Positive Dog. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Wells Fargo, State Farm, Novartis, Bayer and more.
Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams.
When he's not running through airports or speaking, you can find him playing tennis or lacrosse with his wife and two "high energy" children.
You can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jongordonpage
Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, and college coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals and non-profits. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The Goldfish, Soup, The Seed and his latest The Positive Dog. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Wells Fargo, State Farm, Novartis, Bayer and more.
Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams.
When he's not running through airports or speaking, you can find him playing tennis or lacrosse with his wife and two "high energy" children.
You can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jongordonpage
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 642 reviews
August 27, 2025
A simple book to recharge and motivate us.
We all need to recharge our batteries 🔋 before we run dry.
It’s important to keep our motivation level positive from time to time.
Time for a cup of coffee. 😁
We all need to recharge our batteries 🔋 before we run dry.
It’s important to keep our motivation level positive from time to time.
Time for a cup of coffee. 😁
September 6, 2024
“Life is often like a pot of very hot water. It can be a harsh, stressful, and difficult place. You will find yourself in environments and facing conditions that test who you truly are, and can change, weaken, or harden you if you let them.”
(Just pick up this short book now.)
“We don’t have to allow the negativity on social media to influence us. Instead, we can positively influence social media, one person at a time.”
I mean wow. Because it told me the basic truth about how we adults and children alike are so biased to be negative and play the blame games everyday and how we are playing along with it instead of focusing on the solutions and making our lives better.
Yes, such books say the basic thinks we all "know" of or are aware about. But reminders, duh! And making you think or just "see".
Stay away from such books if you're a carrot. Or an egg. (Try to know what it means from the book).
But be a coffee bean. Not because we run on caffiene and negativity in real life. But the metaphorical coffee bean for the metaphorical life we all aspire of.
In short, read this book. It's short. It doesn't matter if you're 8 or 80 or any age in between these numbers. This book is for everyone.
The illustrations are awesome!
(Just pick up this short book now.)
“We don’t have to allow the negativity on social media to influence us. Instead, we can positively influence social media, one person at a time.”
I mean wow. Because it told me the basic truth about how we adults and children alike are so biased to be negative and play the blame games everyday and how we are playing along with it instead of focusing on the solutions and making our lives better.
Yes, such books say the basic thinks we all "know" of or are aware about. But reminders, duh! And making you think or just "see".
Stay away from such books if you're a carrot. Or an egg. (Try to know what it means from the book).
But be a coffee bean. Not because we run on caffiene and negativity in real life. But the metaphorical coffee bean for the metaphorical life we all aspire of.
In short, read this book. It's short. It doesn't matter if you're 8 or 80 or any age in between these numbers. This book is for everyone.
The illustrations are awesome!
December 21, 2024
Willst Du sein wie die Karotte, die im heißen Wasser weich wird? Oder lieber wie das Ei, das im heißen Wasser hart wird? Oder wie die Kaffeebohne, die mit der Zeit zu Kaffee wird? Unsere Umgebung prägt uns, aber es kommt auch auf unsere Perspektive und Einstellung an. Das sagt uns dieses schmale Büchlein.
Die Botschaft, die es verbreiten will, hat mir gut gefallen und auf jeden Fall regt das Buch zum Nachdenken an.
Die Botschaft, die es verbreiten will, hat mir gut gefallen und auf jeden Fall regt das Buch zum Nachdenken an.
September 15, 2021
A short and quick read my boss loaned me seeing how much I enjoy reading in our office down time. Fairly stoic in its philosophy. You can control your reactions to the circumstances around you.
While everything was tied up neatly with a little bow I appreciated that this was a modern fable. A story method I feel we've moved well away from societally. So the bow tying and lesson is obviously the point.
Not super in depth but a nice little reminder that we control how we grow and develop as we move through life.
While everything was tied up neatly with a little bow I appreciated that this was a modern fable. A story method I feel we've moved well away from societally. So the bow tying and lesson is obviously the point.
Not super in depth but a nice little reminder that we control how we grow and develop as we move through life.
August 24, 2019
I liked the concept and it’s a quick read, but looking for some concrete ways to become a coffee bean. It’s all very good to explain what one is,etc. but how do I get there? Feel like this could have been explored more and book is repetitive.
January 17, 2020
Cute, quick read. Shallow and predictable, rather than insightful, though.
October 6, 2020
Positive thinking is wonderful. However, there must be thinking involved. This is maybe the most ill-thought through metaphor for adversity ever created. According to this, one must not be like a carrot or an egg in boiling water - both of which come out edible and nutritious (in the metaphor there is something wrong with a food being edible, evidently). And in the case of the carrot, it also flavors the water. Find me a broth on the shelf at the store not made with carrots (seriously, though, find me one - carrots make me itch). Be like the coffee bean, which changes its environment to make it into delicious coffee and then . . . is thrown away. But you can compost with it, I guess - so at least it's useful garbage? The lesson then is change the world around you for the better at the cost of yourself? Don't get me wrong, I love coffee - I just don't want to identify with the part of it I toss in the trash.
Honestly. Obviously with someone as prolific as Jon Gordon they can't all be winners, but this shouldn't have made it out of the drafts.
Honestly. Obviously with someone as prolific as Jon Gordon they can't all be winners, but this shouldn't have made it out of the drafts.
February 19, 2020
The metaphor is ok, but the book doesn't say anything else. It might as well say 'Abe had a mantra and every time life was hard he repeated the mantra and things got better.'
February 7, 2020
It's been a few weeks of self-employment now, and well... it's lonely. The part where one stares at a blank wall in complete silence, waiting for something to happen can get a bit overwhelming.
After some days of coming to grips with this new life, I chanced upon a delightfully positive book.
In this fable about a stressed and troubled boy called Abe, Jon Gordon brings to life three responses to 'boiling water' one is faced with:
1. To be like a carrot – growing soft and weak due to fear and hopelessness
2. To be like an egg – allowing your heart to get hardened by adversity
3. To be like a coffee bean - transforming your environment to leave it fragrant and appealing
It's a small but powerful message, and the only gripe I have is that it doesn't quite explain the 'how'. (Maybe, Damon West's book will do that.) Nevertheless, this is a quick read and one that drives an important message - of being positive and not allowing the environment to change oneself for the worse.
In today's hate-filled world, we need to find inspiration to create positive change. Find a cause, believe in it, and work on it.
So, will you be a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
After some days of coming to grips with this new life, I chanced upon a delightfully positive book.
In this fable about a stressed and troubled boy called Abe, Jon Gordon brings to life three responses to 'boiling water' one is faced with:
1. To be like a carrot – growing soft and weak due to fear and hopelessness
2. To be like an egg – allowing your heart to get hardened by adversity
3. To be like a coffee bean - transforming your environment to leave it fragrant and appealing
It's a small but powerful message, and the only gripe I have is that it doesn't quite explain the 'how'. (Maybe, Damon West's book will do that.) Nevertheless, this is a quick read and one that drives an important message - of being positive and not allowing the environment to change oneself for the worse.
In today's hate-filled world, we need to find inspiration to create positive change. Find a cause, believe in it, and work on it.
So, will you be a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
June 27, 2019
Loved this book! A quick read but more powerful than you could imagine. I have read almost all of Jon Gordon's books which are all amazing. This one is different, but just as impactful if not more. Having also read Damon West's memoir and knowing the backstory behind this tale, makes it even more worth the read. The illustrations make the story come alive. You will not be disappointed if you purchase this book, and will have a different outlook, on dealing with the blows that life throws your way.
September 25, 2019
Disclaimer: I read this because my principal was considering it as a "professional read" for my staff. I would in reality give this maybe 2 stars if I had just picked it up on my own (although, I probably wouldn't have chosen it on my own) just because it is SO not my taste. I get the idea behind, and I like the message, I just don't get how someone could say, "yes, write a 90 page book that is really on 15 pages of text about an allegory" and expect it to be a bestseller. And yet, here we are.
Anyway, I digress.
For what this is, it's an OK book. The main point is to infuse the reader with optimism and a sense of the power of positivity. (be the coffee bean-change your environment, don't let it change you) BUT, all it is is a story of someone who every time they have troubles, reminds themselves, "be the coffee bean." As someone who would want something practical and TANGIBLE, this is not it. As a read for staff on the importance of staying focused, it's OK. As a practical guide to staff development, it is not.
Overall, this is a "MEH" review from me.
Anyway, I digress.
For what this is, it's an OK book. The main point is to infuse the reader with optimism and a sense of the power of positivity. (be the coffee bean-change your environment, don't let it change you) BUT, all it is is a story of someone who every time they have troubles, reminds themselves, "be the coffee bean." As someone who would want something practical and TANGIBLE, this is not it. As a read for staff on the importance of staying focused, it's OK. As a practical guide to staff development, it is not.
Overall, this is a "MEH" review from me.
February 13, 2020
Preachy and not very substantial. Interesting metaphor. Having read many student essays, I can tell when someone is stretching things out. Not remotely worth the ~$10 price tag.
April 5, 2024
Good message, cute illustrations, aesthetically pleasing cover. Win
September 5, 2019
"Coffee bean" is memorable metaphors and a story to which everyone can relate. A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change"
درسی ازتاب آوری و تغییر نرم به سبک دانه قهوه در تلاطم آب جوشان
(در مقایسه با هویج و تخم مرغ)
Life can be tough.
There are three basic responses in the face of adversity. We can represent each of them with the way an object reacts to being placed in boiling water, which is a metaphor for being surrounded by difficult environments or circumstances.
The first response is to act like a carrot – growing soft and weak with emotions like fear and hopelessness.
The second is to act like an egg – growing hard-hearted.
The third is to act like a coffee bean – transforming the environment or circumstances around us and making the most of them.
You can let your environment change you, or you can change your environment.
In this book, you’ll learn
how to escape feelings of hopelessness and resignation;
how to avoid becoming bitter and heartless; and
how to stay positive and overcome any form of adversity – all by harnessing the power of the coffee bean!
Favourite quote "You will know that the power inside you is greater than the forces outside you..."
(blinkist)
پ.ن.
که عشق آسان نمود اول ولی افتاد مشکل ها
درسی ازتاب آوری و تغییر نرم به سبک دانه قهوه در تلاطم آب جوشان
(در مقایسه با هویج و تخم مرغ)
Life can be tough.
There are three basic responses in the face of adversity. We can represent each of them with the way an object reacts to being placed in boiling water, which is a metaphor for being surrounded by difficult environments or circumstances.
The first response is to act like a carrot – growing soft and weak with emotions like fear and hopelessness.
The second is to act like an egg – growing hard-hearted.
The third is to act like a coffee bean – transforming the environment or circumstances around us and making the most of them.
You can let your environment change you, or you can change your environment.
In this book, you’ll learn
how to escape feelings of hopelessness and resignation;
how to avoid becoming bitter and heartless; and
how to stay positive and overcome any form of adversity – all by harnessing the power of the coffee bean!
Favourite quote "You will know that the power inside you is greater than the forces outside you..."
(blinkist)
پ.ن.
که عشق آسان نمود اول ولی افتاد مشکل ها
January 8, 2024
This book is made by a wealthy white gen x man who only knows how to do one thing and that’s gaslight others into Toxic Positivity. Was gifted this (as well as the rest of the team) by my boss at a holiday work party, don’t be a coffee bean. Be a Mr. Jackson— someone who is able to identify someone struggling in the world and give them the tools to help them through. DONT BE LIKE ABE a one note hack who relies on HIMSELF and ONE SKILL to change the world. A coffee bean alone is bitter and nothing anyways with out the collaborative efforts of water to steep it and all the other add ins to make it personal and WONDERFUL. This book sucks and I’m quitting that job.
August 19, 2024
i hate self help books but my mom loves them so i thought i would try reading one of hers and i think my life is actively worse now.
radical acceptance is an important practice and i mostly appreciate when people write about it, but these authors are the type of guys who won’t buy their kid a new ice cream cone after the first one fell on the floor because “life is unfair.” this book, like all other self help books, depicts a neoliberal ultra-individualist dream world where your whole life changes for the better when you suddenly wake up one day and realize you have power over your own actions/attitude. i expected this when i picked it up but i guess i wanted to be angry anyway
radical acceptance is an important practice and i mostly appreciate when people write about it, but these authors are the type of guys who won’t buy their kid a new ice cream cone after the first one fell on the floor because “life is unfair.” this book, like all other self help books, depicts a neoliberal ultra-individualist dream world where your whole life changes for the better when you suddenly wake up one day and realize you have power over your own actions/attitude. i expected this when i picked it up but i guess i wanted to be angry anyway
November 26, 2019
A short fable with minimal substance that offers a series of quick turnarounds in life based on a change in self awareness that happens immediately in the fable upon a character believing they are more like a coffee bean then a carrot or an egg. Positive message, but unrealistic in the amount of time this mental shift takes and overly simplistic. If you like fables for life messages, read it. If you want something to offer guidance or direction for how to change your mindset, look elsewhere.
August 15, 2019
Total bullshit and useless
August 16, 2019
A really simple book with a great lesson. Took me about 20 minutes to read it.
September 30, 2024
The introduction says the “power of the Coffee Bean…transformed [Damon West’s] life and led to his improbable and miraculous comeback.” I have no idea who Damon West is, but that’s a story I would love to read. This, however, is a made up story with way too many pictures and not enough meaningful content. I resonate with the message, but there are no actionable steps or real life applications to transforming your own life. I also have no idea who this book is marketed to. I received a copy of this book and another one from a presentation by Jon Gordon’s daughter so I assumed these were for adults, but the writing is very elementary and so are the analogies presented in both books (the other is “The Shark and the Goldfish”). The analogies are fitting for the Power of Positive Leadership trainings Gordon’s company does, but for individual books they are way too simplistic and idealized.
April 29, 2024
Simple book on motivation and the challenges along the way.
Great book to keep on your coffee table.
Great book to keep on your coffee table.
December 27, 2024
I had heard/read the Coffee Bean story years ago in an email that was passed around. I wanted to see if there was a little more to the book. Very applicable & encouraging.
February 26, 2024
Very easy quick read, with a great message.
July 15, 2024
cute lil motivation book.
January 24, 2024
Simple reminders on how to stop being a victim. Quick read. Recommend!
May 27, 2023
This one seemed like Damon West's promotion picture book.
The fable(metaphor) was good, the book was not. Repetitive and lacked anything that could support the metaphor.
The fable(metaphor) was good, the book was not. Repetitive and lacked anything that could support the metaphor.
June 26, 2019
I recently completed an advanced reading copy of The Coffee Bean. What an inspiration! While the book is short, it definitely packs a punch, full of nuggets of truth. It can be read in one sitting and is short enough to easily be reread numerous times. I have now read it 4 times and get something new out of it each time.
The Coffee Bean is a parable about how we can go through life being a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean. You can let your environment change you, or you can change your environment. The story is told in such a way that it is applicable to and can be understood by all ages. It is perfect for and individual teams, classrooms. I lead a team of 16 and they will all be getting this book, along with a small jar of coffee beans, for Christmas!
The Coffee Bean is a parable about how we can go through life being a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean. You can let your environment change you, or you can change your environment. The story is told in such a way that it is applicable to and can be understood by all ages. It is perfect for and individual teams, classrooms. I lead a team of 16 and they will all be getting this book, along with a small jar of coffee beans, for Christmas!
August 17, 2019
This book is amazing! It is a short, easy read, but packed with so much goodness! Life lessons are tough for sure but this book will give you the inspiration on how to get through all the things! I passed this little gem onto the President of my company and she loved it so much that she is now having all our staff read it as well.
July 19, 2019
First of all, I love Jon Gordon. Hearing him speak was amazing!! But this book fell short. I’m shocked at the $17 price for the book. The message is a good message but could have been relayed through an email.
August 28, 2019
AMAZING BOOM
This book is a short and very simple read, with a huge empowering message. It’ll revamp your entire way of seeing difficult situations and overcoming them. I would have put 10 stars if I could, but 5 will do!
This book is a short and very simple read, with a huge empowering message. It’ll revamp your entire way of seeing difficult situations and overcoming them. I would have put 10 stars if I could, but 5 will do!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 642 reviews