Among the wisdom that the Professor imparted was the contrast between the Greco-Roman world and Confucian east Asia in terms of striving for excellence.
The Greeks, from Aristotle onwards, and then - to an even greater degree - the Romans strived for perfection of mind and body. The Olympic Games embodies this ideal. Yet perfection, while it can be striven for, is by definition, very rarely attained - if at all. And failing to do so often brings disappointment, even self-loathing.
From the Chinese and Japanese comes the notion of continual, gradual improvement - a step-by-step journey which rather than aiming for perfection merely aims to improve upon what has been.
Professor Blikle's frame of reference to his successful cake business is kaizen - continuous [bottom-up] improvement. Small changes on the production line, usually suggested by the production line workers themselves, have helped companies from Toyota to Blikle trim waste, improve productivity, cut costs, iron out defects, and ensure workers have more rewarding lives. This 'lean' approach to manufacturing works much better than the traditional top-down command-and-control method.
Similarly, in our own lives, such a philosophy is useful. Rather than setting distant goals and judging oneself against a yardstick of absolute perfection, looking for progress via small, but measurable, noticeable steps, is more effective in delivering a happy and balanced life.
This time last year:
What's the Polish for 'grumpy'?
This time two years ago:
Do not take this road!
(I wonder what it's like now...)
This time three years ago:
Peacock, Łazienki Park, spring
This time four years ago:
Spirit of place: Jeziorki or Kentucky?
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