---
title: The Stained Coffee Filter Theory of Success
description: Explore how small, consistent habits lead to significant personal transformation, likened to the unnoticed changes of a stained coffee filter.
image: https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hubfs/Brewed%20Down.png
---

[![Thoughts Brewing Logo](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png?width=200&height=600&name=Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png "Thoughts Brewing Logo")](https://www.thoughtsbrewing.com/)

Search toggle

- [Home](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/home)
- [About](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/about)
  
  About

    - [About Us](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/about)
    - [FAQs](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/faqs)
- [Blog](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog)
  
  Blog

    - [Blog Subscription](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/blog-subscription)
    - [Ask A Question](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/ask-us-anything-business-tech)
    - [Blog Home](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog)
    - [AI Articles](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/ai)
    - [Articles by Damien](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/damien)
    - [Articles by Danielle](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/danielle)
- [AI Training/Courses](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/courses)
  
  AI Training/Courses

    - [Next-Level AI Workshops](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/next-level-ai-workshops)
    - [Free ChatGPT Email Course](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/chatgpt-kickstarter-email-course)
    - [Request a YouTube Video](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/youtube-video-request-page)
    - [AI Quick Tips](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/ai-quick-tips)
    - [Writing Style Guide Template](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/writing-style-guide-template)
    - [Human + AI Playbook Template](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/human-ai-playbook)
    - [NotebookLM Masterclass](https://maven.com/thoughts-brewing-llc/learn-notebooklm-in-a-weekend-2-cohort)
- [Fractional COO/CTO Services](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/fractional-coo/cto-services)
- [Contact](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/contact)

[Contact](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/contact)

[![Thoughts Brewing Logo](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png?width=200&height=600&name=Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png "Thoughts Brewing Logo")](https://www.thoughtsbrewing.com/)

- [Home](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/home)
- [About](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/about)
  
  About

    - [About Us](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/about)
    - [FAQs](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/faqs)
- [Blog](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog)
  
  Blog

    - [Blog Subscription](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/blog-subscription)
    - [Ask A Question](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/ask-us-anything-business-tech)
    - [Blog Home](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog)
    - [AI Articles](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/ai)
    - [Articles by Damien](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/damien)
    - [Articles by Danielle](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/danielle)
- [AI Training/Courses](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/courses)
  
  AI Training/Courses

    - [Next-Level AI Workshops](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/next-level-ai-workshops)
    - [Free ChatGPT Email Course](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/chatgpt-kickstarter-email-course)
    - [Request a YouTube Video](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/youtube-video-request-page)
    - [AI Quick Tips](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/ai-quick-tips)
    - [Writing Style Guide Template](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/writing-style-guide-template)
    - [Human + AI Playbook Template](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/human-ai-playbook)
    - [NotebookLM Masterclass](https://maven.com/thoughts-brewing-llc/learn-notebooklm-in-a-weekend-2-cohort)
- [Fractional COO/CTO Services](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/fractional-coo/cto-services)
- [Contact](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/contact)

[![Thoughts Brewing Logo](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png?width=200&height=600&name=Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png "Thoughts Brewing Logo")](https://www.thoughtsbrewing.com/)

Search toggle

[Contact](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/contact)

- [Home](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/home)
- [About](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/about)
  
  About

    - [About Us](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/about)
    - [FAQs](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/faqs)
- [Blog](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog)
  
  Blog

    - [Blog Subscription](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/blog-subscription)
    - [Ask A Question](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/ask-us-anything-business-tech)
    - [Blog Home](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog)
    - [AI Articles](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/ai)
    - [Articles by Damien](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/damien)
    - [Articles by Danielle](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/danielle)
- [AI Training/Courses](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/courses)
  
  AI Training/Courses

    - [Next-Level AI Workshops](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/next-level-ai-workshops)
    - [Free ChatGPT Email Course](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/chatgpt-kickstarter-email-course)
    - [Request a YouTube Video](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/youtube-video-request-page)
    - [AI Quick Tips](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/ai-quick-tips)
    - [Writing Style Guide Template](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/writing-style-guide-template)
    - [Human + AI Playbook Template](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/human-ai-playbook)
    - [NotebookLM Masterclass](https://maven.com/thoughts-brewing-llc/learn-notebooklm-in-a-weekend-2-cohort)
- [Fractional COO/CTO Services](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/fractional-coo/cto-services)
- [Contact](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/contact)

What are you looking for?

# The Stained Coffee Filter Theory of Success

 September 25, 2026

![Picture of Danielle Price Griffin](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/31045232924d123af765cd9b1925a9ce) [Danielle Price Griffin](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/danielle)

![Brewed Down](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hubfs/Brewed%20Down.png)

My life has been like a stained coffee filter.

I swapped a disposable filter for a cloth one and didn't notice a single change for twelve months.

I used it every morning, rinsed it, and hung it up.

One day, I bought a replacement.

When I held the new one next to the old one, I was shocked.

The old filter had changed size, shape, and color entirely.

![](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Sep-04-2026-08-09-54-6971-PM.png?width=354&height=354&name=undefined-Sep-04-2026-08-09-54-6971-PM.png)

The change was insidious *(one of my favorite movie series).* I never noticed it because I was "in it" every single day.

> *"If you’re not willing to start with small, embarrassing steps, you’ll never make it to the big, impressive ones." - Ryan Holiday*

 

### Growth works exactly like that.

You can't see the needle move while you are staring at it.

You only see the transformation when you stop to compare the "now" to the "then."

Small habits are the grains of sand that eventually become an erg you can't ignore.

![Get the Full Pour](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Get%20the%20Full%20Pour.png?width=600&height=496&name=Get%20the%20Full%20Pour.png)

Refill your cup with the original post.

[Original Book Brew Post](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/book-brew-133-instant-gratification-is-a-scam-and-your-habits-know-it)

### Share:

[Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/the-stained-coffee-filter-theory-of-success&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [Share on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/the-stained-coffee-filter-theory-of-success&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/the-stained-coffee-filter-theory-of-success&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/the-stained-coffee-filter-theory-of-success&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Stained%20Coffee%20Filter%20Theory%20of%20Success)

[Soft Skills](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/soft-skills), [Business Development](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/business-development), [Human Skills](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/human-skills), [Personal Development](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/personal-development), [Brewed Down](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/brewed-down)

## Comments

## Related posts

##### Menu

- [Home](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/home)
- [About](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/about)
- [Blog](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog)
- [AI Training/Courses](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/courses)
- [Fractional COO/CTO Services](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/fractional-coo/cto-services)
- [Contact](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/contact)

[Privacy Policy](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/privacy-policy)   |  [ Terms of Use](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/terms-of-use)    |   Herndon, VA   |   703-296-9912   |   ©2022-2026 Copyright Thoughts Brewing, LLC

[Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/thoughts-brewing-llc) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/@thoughtsbrewingllc) [Find us on Google](https://g.co/kgs/YhpnVFp) [Find us on Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/biz/thoughts-brewing-herndon) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/thoughtsbrewingllc)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Danielle Price Griffin",
    "url" : "https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/danielle"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-09-25T18:00:00.083Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-09-25T18:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "The Stained Coffee Filter Theory of Success",
  "image" : [ "https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hubfs/Brewed%20Down.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/the-stained-coffee-filter-theory-of-success",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hubfs/Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png"
    },
    "name" : "Thoughts Brewing, LLC"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Organization",
  "address" : {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "United States of America",
    "addressLocality" : "Herndon",
    "addressRegion" : "Virginia",
    "postalCode" : "20170",
    "streetAddress" : "205 Van Buren Street, Suite 120"
  },
  "email" : "contact@thoughtsbrewing.com",
  "logo" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "url" : "https://24461783.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24461783/Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png"
  },
  "name" : "Thoughts Brewing, LLC",
  "telephone" : "703-296-9912",
  "url" : "thoughtsbrewing.com"
}
```

```json
{
      "@context": "http://schema.org",
      "@type": "BlogPosting",
      "mainEntityOfPage": {
        "@type": "WebPage"
      },
      "name": "The Stained Coffee Filter Theory of Success",
      "headline": "The Stained Coffee Filter Theory of Success",
      "image": "https://24461783.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24461783/Brewed%20Down.png",
      "author": {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name": "Danielle Price Griffin"
      },
      "datePublished": "2026-09-25 18:00:00",
      "dateModified": "25 Sep 2026, 18:00",
      "abstract": "Explore how small, consistent habits lead to significant personal transformation, likened to the unnoticed changes of a stained coffee filter.",
      "text": "My life has been like a stained coffee filter. I swapped a disposable filter for a cloth one and didn't notice a single change for twelve months. I used it every morning, rinsed it, and hung it up. One day, I bought a replacement. When I held the new one next to the old one, I was shocked. The old filter had changed size, shape, and color entirely. The change was insidious (one of my favorite movie series). I never noticed it because I was "in it" every single day. "If you’re not willing to start with small, embarrassing steps, you’ll never make it to the big, impressive ones." - Ryan Holiday Growth works exactly like that. You can't see the needle move while you are staring at it. You only see the transformation when you stop to compare the "now" to the "then." Small habits are the grains of sand that eventually become an erg you can't ignore. Refill your cup with the original post. Original Book Brew Post",
      "url": "https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/the-stained-coffee-filter-theory-of-success",
      "publisher": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "Thoughts Brewing, LLC",
        "logo": { 
          "@type": "ImageObject",
          "url": "https://24461783.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24461783/Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png"
        }
      },
      "inLanguage": "en",
      "keywords": "[Soft Skills, Business Development, Human Skills, Personal Development, Brewed Down]"
    }
```