How Your Coffee Habit Could be Sabotaging Your Career

Coffee is a subject of controversy every new year. I'm personally working to cut it out now that I've learned it actually increases the stress hormone cortisol. (Talk about sabotage!) I'm replacing my morning coffee with healthy homemade green juice which has given me more stable energy!

But regardless of what you choose to drink in the morning time, I want to share with you one key thing I've learned from working in a professional office environment. This one took me years, ladies!! Listen to me: not all workplace mugs are created equal. Let me save you the pain so you can learn from my mistakes...




This was me: Drippy mug ruining my outfit on the way to work, causing me to have to turn around, change me outfit (TO WHAT?) and not even replacing my coffee because coffee and I are fighting now.

Other mistakes I've made: bringing a custom photo mug or the giant pink sparkly Starbucks bank-canister size thing to work. Bringing a personal size pink tea pot and matching tea cup into a meeting with the CEO.

If it makes a squeaking or gurgling sound when you drink from it. *shudders* No, just don't do it. Take it from me.

Yes, it matters what kind of mug you drink from at work. As always, the devil is in the details. Don't let your mug sabotage you in front of a client or at the office. With any accessory, it's best to keep it sleek and simple.


I recommend something classy and effective like The Contigo Autoseal West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug with Easy Clean Lid, 16-Ounce, Black - $21 on Amazon. This is the mug I use, and it's a really smart mug.

You'll see these gorgeous Contigos everywhere in super cold places, because they're the only thing that keeps hot drinks hot when it's truly frigid. Mine got me through 2 Montana winters and I still enjoy it now in upstate NY. Dishwasher safe, BPA-free. Did I mention the optional stainless steel infuser ($9, sold separately) for all you tea lovers and the range of 7 colors from teal to plum to colbalt?

Other Ideas:
Suppose you don't like that one for some reason. Here are two other ideas for you.


  • OXO Good Grips LiquiSeal Travel Mug - $20  This is a super-high performance mug with basic design. This sturdy OXO travel mug boasts many of the features you’re seeking, and it has a massive crowd of fans giving it 5 stars on Amazon. The OXO Good Grips LiquiSeal Travel Mug is a comfortably-priced workhorse that will see you through many a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
  • Starbucks Re-usables - $2.00 at Starbucks counter  I've built up quite the collection of these. You'll look like you're nursing an expensive Starbucks habit, but secretly you're getting your caffeine fix at the communal office coffee pot! *wink wink*
I don't want you to overthink this. But if it's something you're going to be carrying around with you every day, you shouldn't under-think it either.

Never Stop Learning, Growing and Reaching,

~Laura

Content by Laura Gabriele