John P
Active member
I wrote this piece back in April, and I think it's an important piece to read. Everyone who I know who is at top of their craft, whether it's a chef, chocolate maker, pianist, or writer... they all think in this manner. We all share a fundamental way of thinking about things. One of the reasons why your execution may not be where you want it to be is because of how you inherently think about things within your chosen field. I am inspired by many people in our industry and in other disciplines as wide ranging as culinary (chefs) to musicians to professional athletes.
In the end, it's about, thinking "I can do better." and doing it. Excellence isn't just about a state of mind, it's about "doing". Then, you know it. It's real, You made it happen. You know. And that's the difference.
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This is my Mindset...
When I first started to explore the world of Specialty Coffee in the early 2000's, and we started visiting the places everyone considered to be the best roasters, coffee shops, and purveyors of espresso, I was delighted, and fascinated. And through it all, I had one mindset.
Whatever they were doing, whatever level of sublime tastiness they had achieved, whatever level of mastery they were showing in their craft -- whatever it was had already been done. That meant it was possible. And because I knew it was possible, and that someone had already been doing it at that level, then that was my minimum standard.
My minimum standard, my starting point for coffee excellence was measured by what the best of the best were doing. And until what I was doing was on par, or better than what they were doing, it never saw the light of day. Whether it was learning how to roast or understanding that siphon brewing has everything to do with philosophy first, technique second.
There's always someone who will be doing something great. And to whoever you are, I applaud your genius. Thank you for showing me that, now I'm going to do it better.
That's my mindset.
In the end, it's about, thinking "I can do better." and doing it. Excellence isn't just about a state of mind, it's about "doing". Then, you know it. It's real, You made it happen. You know. And that's the difference.
------------------------------------
This is my Mindset...
When I first started to explore the world of Specialty Coffee in the early 2000's, and we started visiting the places everyone considered to be the best roasters, coffee shops, and purveyors of espresso, I was delighted, and fascinated. And through it all, I had one mindset.
Whatever they were doing, whatever level of sublime tastiness they had achieved, whatever level of mastery they were showing in their craft -- whatever it was had already been done. That meant it was possible. And because I knew it was possible, and that someone had already been doing it at that level, then that was my minimum standard.
My minimum standard, my starting point for coffee excellence was measured by what the best of the best were doing. And until what I was doing was on par, or better than what they were doing, it never saw the light of day. Whether it was learning how to roast or understanding that siphon brewing has everything to do with philosophy first, technique second.
There's always someone who will be doing something great. And to whoever you are, I applaud your genius. Thank you for showing me that, now I'm going to do it better.
That's my mindset.
