Why Do Project Managers Love Coffee?

Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

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lmost all of us start our day with our favorite cup of coffee. The rich and satisfying aroma it gives wakes us up and stimulates our senses as we begin our day. And when we need that mid-day boost to get things rolling again at work, a cup of joe is always a good idea. But why do project managers love coffee so much? What’s so special about this concoction? Let me break it down for you.

Work doesn’t always end after you clock out from the office. Am I right? As project managers, there is always a need to be creative at how you approach and tackle our assignments at work. It is an exciting process but sometimes, it can also drain a lot of energy because you still think about it even if you’re out of the office. So, to get things rolling again for a new day at work, a cup of coffee is always a good idea.
 
According to Stephen Braun, author of the book Buzz: The Science and Lore of Alcohol and Caffeine, the caffeine in coffee works by blocking our brain’s receptors from adenosine, a chemical compound in our brain that makes us feel sleepy. Controlled doses of caffeine help you stay awake and alert, especially during those troublesome hours at work when you feel like dozing off.
 
Aside from keeping our mind alert, coffee also gives the body a boost of energy. This makes you more productive and focused on the tasks that you need to do.

Project managers are always faced with challenges at work. Stress is unavoidable and it could sometimes lead to low productivity and cause team conflicts. But did you know that a simple break and a cup of coffee can ease the tension in the office?
 
Researchers found that aside from keeping us alert, the caffeine in coffee also prevents our brains’ receptors from reacting to stress and causing a stress response – like having a bad mood. No one wants to work with people who are in a bad mood so when things get rough, a break and a hot cup of coffee (or cold coffee, if you like) is all you need to relax and slow down. Maybe this is also the reason why coffee is a favorite beverage to serve during meetings.

If you are a coffee lover like me, you know how important it is to prepare coffee the right way to make sure its full flavor is intact. Preparing yourself your own cup of coffee is like a ritual that helps the mind relax. It’s a small luxury that can actually give so many benefits.
 
This is also the reason why I like to keep a coffee machine or a French press near my workspace. Depending on how hot you want your cup of coffee, there are a lot of interesting factors that play to get that perfect blend. Whether you like yours black, with cream or with coconut oil, preparing coffee is a creative process that can help refresh you when things get hectic in the office.

Coffee breaks are one of the best ways to encourage communication and creativity in the workplace. It sets a relaxed atmosphere where people can freely exchange ideas and interact with each other. It’s also a great way to get to know your teammates – from simple things like how they add vanilla to sweeten their coffee to bigger things like knowing about their dreams of finishing their MBA.
 
There’s really more to coffee than meets the eye, and your palate. When taken in moderation, you can really see its benefits not just in keeping you awake and alert, but also in boosting productivity. It also a good neutralizer when it comes to socializing and communicating with your co-workers. No wonder project managers love it so much. It’s not just a beverage. It’s a cup filled with infinite possibilities and great ideas just waiting to happen.
 
Do you love coffee? What do you think are other benefits of having coffee in the workplace?