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The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change (Jon Gordon) Hardcover – July 2, 2019
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More than 350,000 sold
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?
- Print length112 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherWiley
- Publication dateJuly 2, 2019
- Dimensions5.1 x 0.7 x 7.2 inches
- ISBN-101119430275
- ISBN-13978-1119430278
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Jon Gordon is a 16x bestselling author and thought leader, renowned keynote speaker, and consultant who has worked with many of the top leaders and organizations around the world. Jon is a highly sought after global influencer who inspires millions of people each year with his books, talks, podcasts, and messages on positivity, teamwork, and leadership.
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Editorial Reviews
From the Inside Flap
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.
From the Back Cover
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?
About the Author
JON GORDON has inspired millions of readers around the world. He is the author of 18 books, including six bestsellers: The Energy Bus, The Carpenter, Training Camp, You Win in the Locker Room First, The Power of Positive Leadership, and The Power of a Positive Team. He is passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations, and teams.
DAMON WEST is a motivational speaker and author of The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World. Over the past few years, he has been sharing the coffee bean lesson with college football teams such as Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas, and countless schools and businesses. Damon is passionate about the coffee bean message, and loves sharing how it changed his life and how it can change yours, too.
Product details
- Publisher : Wiley; 1st edition (July 2, 2019)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 112 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1119430275
- ISBN-13 : 978-1119430278
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.2 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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About the authors
Jon Gordon is a 15x bestselling author and thought leader, a top 10 keynote speaker and consultant who has worked with many of the top leaders and organizations on the planet and a global influencer who impacts millions of people each year with his books, talks, podcasts and messages.
His principles and belief that positivity is a competitive advantage have been put to the test by numerous Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sports teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits. He is the author of 28 books including 15 best sellers and 5 children’s books. His books include the timeless classic "The Energy Bus" which has sold over 3 million copies, "The Carpenter" which was a top 5 business book of the year, "Training Camp," "The Power of Positive Leadership," "The Power of a Positive Team," "The Coffee Bean," "Stay Positive," and "The Garden." Jon’s latest bestselling book is "The One Truth."
Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, The Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers.
His clients include The Los Angeles Dodgers, Campbell’s Soup, Dell, Publix, Southwest Airlines, Miami Heat, The Los Angeles Rams, Snapchat, Truist Bank, Clemson Football, Northwestern Mutual, West Point Academy 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.
Follow on social @jongordon11
DAMON WEST, M.S. Criminal Justice, is a college professor, nationally known keynote speaker and best-selling author (with best-selling author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon) of The Coffee Bean: A simple Lesson to Create Positive Change. His first book and autobiography, The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World, was published just three years after his release from a
Texas maximum-security prison.
Sentenced to sixty-five years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all.
At 20 years old, he was a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, when he suffered a career ending injury. He turned to hard core drugs to cope with disappointments of life. After graduation, he worked in the United States Congress, was a national fundraiser on a U.S. Presidential campaign and eventually trained to be a stock- broker for United Bank of Switzerland (UBS). One day at UBS, he was introduced to methamphetamines; he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit.
After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man. His story of redemption, grit and determination continues to inspire audiences today.
Today, Damon lives a life of recovery and service, going to meetings and sharing his story all over the country with schools, church's, athletic teams, corporations, conferences and inside correctional facilities. Over the past few years, he has been sharing the Coffee Bean lesson with dozens of college football teams such as Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas, and countless schools and businesses. His #BeACoffeeBean message has inspired thousands from Walmart to the US Army to the NBA.
Damon’s story has been featured both nationally and globally. His second book, The Coffee Bean, co-authored with best-selling author Jon Gordon, became an instant best-seller and a part of Forbes’ “Top Twenty Books You Need to Read to Crush 2020.”
Damon is passionate about the Coffee Bean message, and loves sharing how it changed his life and how it can change yours, too. You can reach him through his website, www.damonwest.org.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the message impactful and motivating. They describe the book as an easy, simple read that packs a powerful punch. Many readers find the story relatable and enjoyable for families and all ages. However, opinions differ on the length - some find it short while others say it's extremely short. There are mixed views on the value for money - some consider it good while others feel it's not commensurate with the price.
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Customers find the book's message impactful and enlightening. They say it's an easy read with an important message that helps them make positive choices. The book is thought-provoking and helps them change their mindset.
"...If you’re looking for an uplifting and motivational book that’s simple to apply to real life, The Coffee Bean is one you’ll want to pick up and..." Read more
"A great quick read with a powerful message! Great for a PowerPoint reflection message" Read more
"...The message is so powerful and impactful. I have purchased a lot of these to hand out to my clients and colleagues...." Read more
"Inspirational book which helps the reader to make positive choices and learn how to affect success for others with your own positive atitude toward..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and with a powerful message. They say it's a quick, simple read that can be applied to real life. The book is illustrated in an engaging way and is a parable about how we can go through life being a carrot.
"...’re looking for an uplifting and motivational book that’s simple to apply to real life, The Coffee Bean is one you’ll want to pick up and share with..." Read more
"A great quick read with a powerful message! Great for a PowerPoint reflection message" Read more
"...It reads like a story for children, which is fine but not what I was expecting...." Read more
"...This is an easy to read fable with a good moral lesson." Read more
Customers find the story engaging and thought-provoking. They say it's a good, short story with relatable themes that speaks to all ages. The book has great visuals and is full of truthful nuggets.
"...The story uses a relatable metaphor: when placed in boiling water, a carrot becomes soft, an egg becomes hard, but a coffee bean changes the water..." Read more
"Book was decent, a cute little story to reinforce a life lesson...." Read more
"Wonderful book, easy read for all ages" Read more
"A lighted hearted story with a massive message. The authors offered a great story that can transform you if you allow it to take hold." Read more
Customers find the book a great read for families, teams, and anyone. They say it's an easy read for all ages, great to hand out to clients, and a good teaching tool. Readers mention it's like a goodnight book for children with a grown-up message.
"...It is perfect for and individual teams, classrooms...." Read more
"...story of The Coffee Bean is a simple and powerful message that is easy to share, important to share!" Read more
"Short read but very impactful and should be mandatory reading in all schools. I’m getting a copy for all my kids." Read more
"...Great book to read with your family, team, etc. I am looking forward to sharing the lessons of the coffee bean with my children and team...." Read more
Customers find the book simple yet powerful. They say it's an easy read but packs a very powerful punch. The message is great and the application is great.
"...It’s a quick read that packs a big punch, offering practical ways to stay positive and resilient in any situation...." Read more
"...What an inspiration! While the book is short, it definitely packs a punch, full of nuggets of truth...." Read more
"A quick read but more powerful than you could imagine. I have read almost all of Jon Gordon's books which are all amazing...." Read more
"I love this book! It was a quick read that packed a powerful punch...." Read more
Customers have different views on the book length. Some find it short but powerful, with a meaningful message. They appreciate the small size, which is easy to take with them. Others feel the book is too short, with large text and pictures that take 20 minutes to read.
"The might is the true definition of small and mighty! The message is so powerful and impactful...." Read more
"It's a tiny little book... read it no time at all. But man, the message was simple and powerful at the same time." Read more
"...What an inspiration! While the book is short, it definitely packs a punch, full of nuggets of truth...." Read more
"...Jon's trainings into our company new-hire process - they're brilliant in their width...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value for money. Some find it ok and the seller is awesome, while others say the value is not commensurate with the price and the message is too short for the price.
"...ok but how? overall a good book but way too pricy for such a small book...." Read more
"...Change the environment, don’t let it change you. There you go. Saved you some money!" Read more
"I’m not sure it’s worth the price (took me 20 minutes to read the whole thing) but it has a great message...." Read more
"Book is ok, seller is awesome...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2025The Coffee Bean by Jon Gordon and Damon West is an easy-to-read and powerful book that shares a simple yet impactful lesson through a short story. It follows Abe, a young man who learns how to handle life’s challenges by embracing the mindset of a coffee bean.
The story uses a relatable metaphor: when placed in boiling water, a carrot becomes soft, an egg becomes hard, but a coffee bean changes the water into coffee. The message is clear—don’t let your environment change you; instead, transform your surroundings for the better.
The book’s message is straightforward and easy to understand, making it perfect for everyone, no matter your age or background. Whether you’re looking for a personal boost, a tool to inspire a team, or just some fresh perspective, this book has something for you. It’s a quick read that packs a big punch, offering practical ways to stay positive and resilient in any situation.
If you’re looking for an uplifting and motivational book that’s simple to apply to real life, The Coffee Bean is one you’ll want to pick up and share with others.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2025A great quick read with a powerful message! Great for a PowerPoint reflection message
A great quick read with a powerful message! Great for a PowerPoint reflection message
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2025The might is the true definition of small and mighty! The message is so powerful and impactful. I have purchased a lot of these to hand out to my clients and colleagues. Definitely a MUST HAVE on your nightstand as a reminder that you determine your surrounding, it doesn’t determine you.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2025Book was decent, a cute little story to reinforce a life lesson. It reads like a story for children, which is fine but not what I was expecting.
Excellent customer service from the shop and a large selection of books to choose from. Will be buying from this shop again.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2024Inspirational book which helps the reader to make positive choices and learn how to affect success for others with your own positive atitude toward lifes problems. Go on , be the coffee bean. It doesn't get soft and weakened like the carrot when it gets in " hot water", or trouble. The egg in hot water becomes hardened by the environment it's in. but the coffee bean changes it's environment for the better when it gets "in hot water". The coffee bean becomes coffee afterabout an hour of cooking. It happens slowly over more time than the egg and the carrot. This requires perseverance and being serious about changing your surroundings for the better. This is an easy to read fable with a good moral lesson.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2025Wonderful book, easy read for all ages
- Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2024A lighted hearted story with a massive message. The authors offered a great story that can transform you if you allow it to take hold.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2024Fast read and so inspiring! I loved the story and message. Just saw Damon West speak at our school district’s institute and he was truly amazing. Extraordinary human being. “Mr. Jackson” will always have a special place in my heart after reading this story and hearing Damon speak.
Top reviews from other countries
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Cliente KindleReviewed in Brazil on October 27, 2020
1.0 out of 5 stars Pouco aplicável
A analogia apesar de interessante poderia ser resumida em uma thread de tweets. O custo beneficio é muito pequeno. Dinheiro jogado fora.
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Salvador sierra vazquezReviewed in Mexico on November 13, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars LIDERAZGO
Como motivar a otros¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
- Miss L SeversReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 25, 2021
3.0 out of 5 stars Great Life Analogy
Well written. The concept of the short story is very good, and relates to all ages, but I did feel the writing itself was leaning more to that of a child comprehendion than that of an adult. Was read in 20 minutes, very short and could have been priced cheaper hence the 3 stars. This is just my personal opinion.
- Matthew TaubReviewed in Canada on July 19, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Another power book to add to your arsenal
IVE been a big fan of Jon Gordons books for quite some time. This is no exception. A definite must in everyone’s library.
- DiatoulouReviewed in Australia on July 16, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book
What can I say it is a brilliant easy read!!!