• I keep my beans on low.

    Posted on June 24th, 2010 by and currently 2 commenting.


    Something tells me that Jessica does not keep her beans on low.

    We had the most delightful clients in from Louisville this week – Emily and Laura. And Emily shared a funny story. This phrase delighted me. I don’t know why but it made me laugh really hard while we enjoyed an amazing dinner and drank some excellent wine at Deveraux’s on Sunday night. I won’t go into the whole story, something about a hairdresser in New York. But, here’s the phrase that captured my fancy:

    I keep my beans on low.

    I know, I know – it doesn’t take much to crack me up. Just saying and typing it right now makes me smile.

    Maybe it’s because I DO NOT keep my beans on low. I am either completely turned off or boiling over with passion. Not a lot of simmering action going on in my head.

    BUT I am so thankful and grateful for those along side of me that do manage to keep their beans on low all the time. They are consistent and calm and assuring. They are there when you need them. Every. Single. Time. They are more graceful leaders than me for sure. And they don’t topple over bottles of water in meetings very often.

    I suppose that is what makes the world more interesting. The bubblers and the simmerers. But here’s a connection I have been rolling around in my head. Stay with me. We believe all great movements have inspirational leadership. Not influencers. But people who have PASSION.

    I believe both kinds of people – those on simmer and those who boil over a regular basis can have extraordinary passion. And in an organization or a movement, you need a balance of both.

    So what are kind of person are you? Do you keep your beans on low? Or are you more like me. Are they constantly about to boil over?

    Happy Wednesday. I took the day off yesterday and it was amazing. I am totally recharged and ready to go. Let’s make this day count!

  • Amy wood

    Boiling over here. Though presently at the beach doing some recharging of my own. Not even close to the burners at the moment :) . Thanks for reminding us how to appreciate all styles of PASSION!

  • http://madbaker.com/ Mark Dyck

    Hmm… I tend to boil over, but positively. Like “come on, we can do this!”

    When I simmer I feel like I’m chickening out. Not deciding whether I’m in or I’m out. Like I don’t want to let go and boil but I’m too chicken to disengage completely. You’ve got me wondering about how being on simmer can still = passionate.

    That being said, the video is awesome. I need to start a new habit!