Own Your ONE Thing

“Even at my age, after decades of work, I don’t think I have achieved perfection. But I feel ecstatic all day––I love making sushi. That’s the spirit of the shokunin.”
- Jiro Ono, Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Jiro Ono is a 3-star Michelin chef, and his small sushi shop in Tokyo has been host to countless dignitaries and food critics. At age 99 he has stepped back from day-to-day operations, but for more than 6 decades he has perfected his craft, paying particular attention to the quality of his rice and the sourcing of fresh fish from the giant Tokyo fish market. “I do the same thing over and over, improving bit by bit. There’s always a yearning to achieve more. I’ll continue to climb, trying to reach the top, but no one knows where the top is.”

Jiro’s intense dedication has been inspired by the ideal of being a shokunin, which translates to English as “craftsman” or “artisan”. But those translations don’t do the word justice, as it also conveys the spirit of someone who carries an obligation to the wider community. In other words, his pursuit of perfection is not just to win another Michelin star, but also to serve his customers and the wider community.

As you pursue your ONE Thing, be sure to take a step back and consider how your skills and craftsmanship can serve the wider community. Here are Five Hidden Keys for Mastering your Craft and Owning Your ONE Thing:

🍣🇯🇵 The Art of Mastery
Sushi legend Jiro Ono shows us that mastery is a lifelong journey. His pursuit of perfection was for the love of sushi, not fame. Embrace each step, improve bit by bit. 🧗‍♂️
🍣The climb itself is the reward.🍣
#SushiMaster #OwnYourOneThing 🥢🍙

🔁🍶 The Power of Repetition
Jiro crafted sushi every single day, focused on perfecting each grain of rice 🍚 and slice of fish 🐟. True progress comes from doing simple things exceptionally well.
🍤 In mastery, there’s power in the daily ritual.🍤
#Craftsmanship #Kaizen 🍤🍣

🎏🎌 Simplicity and Balance
Jiro reminds us: great sushi, like great work, is about balance and minimalism. By focusing on essentials, your craft shines brighter.
🥢Ultimate simplicity brings true purity. 🥢
#Simplicity #Zen 🥢🍙🇯🇵

🐟🔥 Always Improve
"It has to be better than last time," Jiro would say. No matter where you start, strive to surpass yesterday’s effort.
🍣Mastery is in the small, relentless improvements. 🍣
#OneStepAtATime #NeverSettle 🍶🍣

🌸🎏 A Craft with Purpose
Jiro’s dedication wasn’t only for himself—it was for Japan, his family, and every customer. Master your craft not just for success, but to serve.
🌸True mastery gives back as much as it gains. 🌸
#Shokunin #SushiSpirit 🥢🍣🌊

At the end of the day, you need to find inherent joy and satisfaction in the pursuit of your ROCKET Goals. As Jiro puts it so simply, "You have to fall in love with your work."