Jiro Ono, at 99 years old, is a sushi legend. Until recently, he ran Sukiyabashi Jiro, a small sushi restaurant in Tokyo. With only ten seats, this Michelin-starred spot became famous, but reservations were hard to come by, often requiring a connection to book a table.
In the 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Jiro shared his life’s philosophy: continuous improvement. Even at 85, he was dedicated to making sushi better every day. His drive for perfection teaches important lessons for anyone looking to succeed in business.
Each day, Jiro pushes himself to create sushi that surpasses yesterday’s efforts. “If you don’t chase perfection, you will never reach excellence,” he said. His son, Yoshikazu Ono, now carries on this commitment to high standards.
Here are key lessons we can learn from Jiro’s approach:
Lessons from a Sushi Master
1. Love Your Work
Jiro has always loved his job. He finds joy in making sushi and looks forward to working, even on holidays. For him, success is about the quality of his sushi, not just making money. Reflect on what brings you joy in your work.
2. Aim for Perfection
Jiro believes that there’s always more to achieve. After decades in the business, he still seeks improvement. He emphasizes that striving for perfection fosters a standard that others cannot easily meet. Are you always looking to improve?
3. Focus on the Details
Jiro knows that mastery is in the details. He insists on practicing techniques repeatedly, such as having his apprentice make egg sushi over 200 times before getting it right. It’s all about diligence and practice. Are you paying attention to the details?
4. Create Strong Processes
Jiro’s team works hard behind the scenes to prepare for service. He believes in creating systems that maintain high quality consistently. Build processes in your work that ensure excellence. What systems can you put in place?
5. Use Limitations to Innovate
Despite working from a small kitchen, Jiro found ways to improve sushi-making. Limited space didn’t stop him; it pushed him to be creative and efficient. Consider how constraints can fuel your creativity.
6. Take Responsibility
Jiro emphasizes the importance of owning your work. He believes in self-improvement and focuses heavily on his growth. Stay committed to learning and enhancing your skills, no matter your level of success. Where can you grow further?
Jiro Ono’s journey goes beyond sushi. His dedication to skill, attention to detail, and unyielding pursuit of improvement serve as powerful reminders for anyone aiming for excellence. Mastery is an ongoing journey, offering chances to grow and refine your craft over time.
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