What I took away from the U.S. Coffee Championships (other than beans)

This past weekend I attended the US Coffee Championships in Kansas City. The national championships are for coffee professionals (baristas, roasters, etc.) who compete at qualifying events around the country for the opportunity to win top national honors and go on to the international competition. 

I am a coffee consumer and have a predilection for Ethiopian natural process beans, but I am no coffee professional. It was a bit of a coincidence that I even knew this event was happening, but I am glad I stumbled on it in time! In addition to the many samples of coffee I enjoyed, I left feeling inspired in a few ways I was not expecting. 

Watching the competitors present their creations with care and precision reminded me that excellence is an unending pursuit. It's a practice that you choose to cultivate every day and the pursuit of excellence itself has merit.  

The pressure was on. You could see hands shaking as baristas prepared their espresso pulls and breathless moments as brewers balanced an oral presentation on their unique blend of ingredients and equipment while keeping an eye on the time to ensure the perfect coffee extraction.

Their passion and preparation refreshed my perspective. It's possible to pay attention to the details even in the parts of your life that you may have on auto-pilot (a morning cup of coffee, for example). I've found myself looking for opportunities to go deeper this week. Reach farther. Strive to develop more understanding, more expertise. 

I think this is one of the reasons we love watching people at the top of their game compete. It reminds us of what is possible when we dare to push to the limits. It also helps to be fully caffeinated.

Have you been surprised by something recently? What has you feeling inspired?