Mastery
“Learning never exhausts the mind” — Leonardo da Vinci
Contemporary career advice is to try and become good at something that you find interesting. Passion, so the advice goes, will follow. Over time a virtuous loop is created which can lead to mastery. Like most advice, it is always prudent to look for real life case studies.
The 2011 film Jiro Dreams of Sushi depicts Jiro Ono who has spent his entire life perfecting the creation of sushi. Jiro’s humble restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro is located in a train station in Ginza in Tokyo. The restaurant can only seat ten people at the counter. Despite the humble setting Jiro’s restaurant was the first sushi restaurant in the world to be awarded three Michelin Stars.
The film conveys several lessons about mastery -
1. Mastery requires unwavering attention to detail. Jiro’s team tries to improve every task, no matter how inconsequential it might appear. The documentary shows the meticulous preparation of Jiro and his staff every day including sourcing the best ingredients available[i].
2. Mastery is immersion. Jiro explains “Once you decide on your occupation… you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That’s the secret of success… and is the key to being regarded honorably.” [ii]
3. Mastery is infectious. Jiro is a hard taskmaster and has instilled a sense of perfection and mastery in his two sons[iii]. Jiro’s eldest son Yoshikazu Ono says “Always look ahead and above yourself. Always try to improve on yourself. Always strive to elevate your craft. That’s what he [Jiro Ono] taught me.” Jiro personifies what Clarence Buddinton Kelland said “My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.”
4. The pursuit of mastery is lifelong. The film was made when Jiro was 85 years old. “Even at my age, in my work…” Jiro reflects, “I haven’t reached perfection … I’ll keep climbing, trying to reach the top, but nobody knows where the top is”.
[i] As one example the rice supplier would not sell anyone else the best rice, including elite hotels in Tokyo, because he didn’t believe anyone else could cook it properly
[ii] Meraki [may-rah-kee] is a Greek word to describe doing something with soul, creativity, or love — when “something of yourself” is put into what you are doing.
[iii] It was revealed that it was in fact Jiro’s son Yoshikazu who served the Michelin judges
