You’re a Courage Insider: Embrace that Coffee in Your Soul!

Saturday mornings are a special time, a chance to reflect and recharge. For me, that often involves a cup of coffee—a love-hate relationship if ever there was one. I love coffee for the first eight hours, when I'm bouncing off the walls, full of energy and ideas. But then, the inevitable crash hits, complete with a VERY not-so-pleasant stomach ache. Yet, by the next day, I've forgotten all about it and find myself brewing another cup. It's called AMNESIA.

I actually quit coffee for five years. I can't quite remember why—maybe it was the headaches when I missed my morning cup. But five years later, none of that mattered. I had developed a weird breathing ailment, and despite extensive tests, doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with my heart or lungs. They treated me for asthma or allergies, giving me pills and inhalers that left me feeling like a zombie. My brother-in-law Ruben suggested that coffee might help offset the zombie effect of the meds, and since I was already feeling coffee FOMO, I thought, "What the heck?"

So, here I am, back on the coffee train. But there's always that nagging question: shouldn’t I be grinding my own beans, weighing them, and using a French press? After all, that's what the coffee connoisseurs do, right?

Here's the truth: whether you're grinding your own beans or just using whatever's in the cupboard, the most important thing is how it makes you feel. Being a courage insider isn't about fitting into someone else's idea of perfection. It's about embracing your journey, with all its quirks and contradictions.

Vietnamese Coffee Recipe

If you're looking to try something new, why not make a cup of Vietnamese coffee? It's rich, strong, and deliciously sweet. Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons ground dark roast coffee (Vietnamese coffee is ideal)
• 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• Hot water
• Ice (optional, if making iced coffee)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Coffee Filter: Place 2 tablespoons of ground coffee into a Vietnamese coffee filter (phin). Set the filter over a cup.
2. Add Hot Water: Pour a small amount of hot water into the filter to let the coffee grounds bloom (what?!?). Then fill the filter with more hot water and cover it with the lid (what lid?!?).
3. Wait: Allow the coffee to drip slowly into the cup. This process can take around 5 minutes. Go write your LinkedIn article in the meantime.
4. Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until well mixed. Adjust the amount to taste. Don't be afraid to add more. It's not going to alter your life expectancy.
5. Serve: Enjoy your coffee hot, or pour it over a glass of ice for a refreshing iced version.

Louis's No-Fuss Version: Just brew a pot of whatever coffee you've got. Add however much sweetened condensed milk you feel like adding to the pot at the end, and stir it up real good. For an extra kick, maybe even add a little dark chocolate syrup. It's simple, quick, and delicious!

Even Less Fussy Alternative: Skip the fancy ingredients and just add a generous splash of heavy cream and a drizzle of bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup to your coffee. It's a luxurious treat without the fuss! Remember, there's an election coming, and we're all going to drop dead, anyway.

For me, coffee is a daily reminder to embrace life's imperfections and to approach each day with a mix of curiosity and courage. So, whether you're using a French press, a drip coffee maker, or even instant coffee, celebrate your unique approach.

Courageous companies know that embracing their unique strengths and perspectives is what sets them apart. They don't get bogged down by the need to conform to industry norms or the opinions of outsiders. Instead, they leverage their distinctiveness to crush the competition. If you're ready to cultivate a culture of courage in your organization, let’s connect and explore how you can lead with authenticity and boldness.

Join the conversation and stay inspired by subscribing to The Courage Inside LinkedIn newsletter, visiting our website at The Courage Inside, or booking a call to explore how we can work together to bring out the best in your team and company.

Stay bold, stay courageous, and let's make a difference together!

— Louis Katz, The Courage Inside