Written by Dr. Stephanie Bot
Change can be daunting. It’s often described as uncomfortable, overwhelming, or even impossible. Many of us feel like we’re stuck in a routine, dealing with the same obstacles, facing the same frustrations at work or in our personal lives. But what if the key to change isn’t found in altering the external world around us, but rather in changing how we think about and perceive those challenges?
A couple of weeks ago a client of mine told me he just finished reading the story of the coffee bean and found it inspiring. I decided to check it out and found it very compelling, so I wanted to share it with you. It serves as a simple but powerful metaphor for how we can transform our lives, no matter what external pressures we face.
The Story of the Coffee Bean
In this well-known story, a wise mentor tells a lesson to a group of people. He places three items into separate pots of boiling water: a carrot, an egg, and a coffee bean. After a short period of time, he asks the group to observe the changes.
The carrot, once firm and strong, has softened and lost its structure. The egg, which started out fragile and cracked, has hardened into a solid shell. The coffee bean, however, has transformed the water it’s in—its surroundings have changed. The water is now a rich, aromatic brew.
The coffee bean doesn’t just survive the boiling water—it transforms it. This is the lesson that so many of us overlook: change isn’t always about fixing or controlling the world around us. Sometimes, it’s about how we adapt and transform ourselves within those circumstances but too often we forget that this is possible.
The Link Between Perception and Change
One of the biggest challenges people face in creating meaningful change is the misconception that changing the external world will bring them the happiness, success, or peace they’re seeking. We often focus on changing our job, our environment, our relationships, or our physical surroundings, hoping these things will improve how we feel. But what if we’ve been looking in the wrong place?
The coffee bean teaches us that it’s our internal mindset that has the power to create real change. How we think about ourselves and the world around us directly impacts how we experience challenges and setbacks. In other words, how we perceive the world shapes the world we experience. Read the italics again. It’s not magic. It’s truth.
Reframing the Way We See Challenges
When faced with difficult situations at work—tight deadlines, unclear expectations, interpersonal conflicts—it’s easy to feel like a carrot or an egg. We feel like we’re either being softened by stress or hardened by frustration. But what if we could change our perspective and become the coffee bean?
The coffee bean represents resilience and adaptability. Instead of letting external pressures alter us in negative ways, we can choose to reshape the situation. This doesn’t mean ignoring challenges or pretending they aren’t difficult; it means approaching them with a mindset of growth, resilience, and transformation.
If you’re facing a tough situation at work, instead of feeling victimized or defeated, ask yourself: How can I transform this experience? Can you shift your perspective to see an opportunity for growth? Can you find ways to help your team or your organization move forward in the midst of chaos?
How to Be the Coffee Bean in Your Workplace
Focus on Your Inner Dialogue: Pay attention to the stories you tell yourself about the challenges you face. Are you telling yourself that it’s impossible to change or that the world is working against you? Try to reframe these thoughts in a more positive and proactive way. Recognize that your perspective is a powerful tool for creating change.
Embrace Growth and Adaptability: Change doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes the road is bumpy. But when you embrace growth, you open the door to new possibilities. Challenge yourself to view obstacles as opportunities to evolve rather than insurmountable barriers.
Take Ownership of Your Response: External circumstances are often beyond our control, but we always have the power to choose how we respond. The coffee bean thrives in boiling water because it doesn’t let the heat define it—it defines the heat. Choose how you react to difficult situations and watch how that changes everything.
Influence Your Environment: Just like the coffee bean changes the water around it, you have the ability to influence your workplace. You can create a positive impact by shifting your energy, being solution-oriented, and helping others see new possibilities.
Celebrate Small Wins: Change can feel slow, and progress might seem hard to measure, but every small shift in mindset is a victory. Celebrate those moments where you handle a challenge with grace, or when you’ve found a creative solution to a difficult problem. These wins build momentum.
The Power of Perception in Creating Lasting Change
In the end, the power of transformation lies within us. We don’t have to wait for the external world to change. Just like the coffee bean, we can transform our surroundings by changing how we think and perceive the challenges we face. Our perception shapes our experience. And by taking ownership of that, we hold the key to creating lasting change—not just at work, but in every aspect of our lives.
So, the next time you face a challenge, remember the lesson of the coffee bean. Instead of becoming softened by pressure or hardened by adversity, choose to transform the situation with your mindset. Be the coffee bean, and watch how you can turn even the toughest situations into something that can help you grow.
Reference:
The story of the coffee bean was popularized by Jon Gordon, a best-selling author and speaker, in his book The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change.
Learn how to identify, manage, and implement Mental Health best practices in your workplace through Workright’s comprehensive online
Certificate Program in the Management of Workplace Mental Health & Psychological Safety
Developed and delivered by leading psychologists and mental health professionals, this 10-part program equips HR Professionals and Business Leaders with the knowledge, skills, and resources to establish a mentally vibrant workplace.