Miyamoto Musashi says “Today is victory over yourself of yesterday;
tomorrow is your victory over lesser men”.
Mediocrity is when we settle for just getting by, avoiding challenges, and missing out on our
full potential. It’s living in the comfort zone, where we do just enough to meet expectations but
never truly excel or innovate. Many of us fall into mediocrity because it’s easy to
stick with the familiar, resist change, and avoid taking risks. We might fear failure,
lack motivation, or simply not know how to push beyond our current limits.
Miyamoto Musashi was a legendary Japanese swordsman and strategist,
renowned for his unparalleled skill in combat and his deep philosophical insights. Born in
the 16th century, Musashi became famous for his unique two-sword fighting style and undefeated
record in duels. Beyond his martial prowess, he was also a thoughtful writer and philosopher,
best known for his classic work "The Book of Five Rings,”. In this classic text, Musashi
delves into not only the art of swordsmanship but also broader principles of strategy, tactics, and
the cultivation of a mindset which will help us beat mediocrity. In this video we’re exploring how
to stop settling for mediocrity and break free, according to the philosophy of Miyamoto Musashi.
1. Find one thing to work for and expand your expertise within it
Musashi says; “Practice and understand the realization
that by knowing one way, you know a thousand’’. Miyamoto Musashi dedicated his life to mastering
the sword. As a young man, he trained tirelessly from dawn until dusk, always pushing his
boundaries. At just 15 or 16, he left his home village to travel the country, seeking out the
best masters and challenging renowned fighters. His relentless training and fearless spirit led
him to countless victories, making his skills legendary. Musashi’s method was both feared and
respected; although he focused on a single art, he could express it in countless ways.
However, focusing on one thing in our modern world is like trying to read a single book in a noisy
library filled with countless fascinating books, all vying for your attention. Each book represents
a different opportunity, skill, or interest, while the noise symbolizes the constant distractions
from social media, advertisements, and the fast-paced demands of our daily lives. Just
as it’s hard to concentrate on one book when surrounded by so many intriguing titles and
persistent noise, it’s difficult to dedicate ourselves to mastering one skill or field. Our
attention is constantly pulled in multiple directions, making it challenging to dive
deep into any single pursuit. This scattered focus stops us from gaining deep knowledge
and expertise because we can't give anything our full attention. As a result, we end up
with a shallow understanding of many things and feel unfulfilled and mediocre in our efforts.
However, when we focus on one thing, we explore its details and make connections
others might miss. As we practice more, our skills get better, our confidence grows,
and we start becoming experts. Mastering one area also lets us think creatively and stand
out. This builds up our reputation, and people begin to recognize and seek out our expertise,
opening up new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and success.
Furthermore, juggling too many interests can be exhausting. By focusing on one thing,
we avoid this exhaustion and keep our interest going and energy high. This helps us make steady
progress and with steady progress, we rise above mediocrity. Like Miyamoto Musashi,
we should invest time in mastering one skill and finding various ways to express it. Once
we’ve truly mastered that skill, we can then move on to learning something new,
just as Miyamoto did when he later explored writing and philosophy.
2. Don’t depend on your partial feeling According to Miyamoto Musashi “Do Not,
Under Any Circumstances, Depend on a Partial Feeling”.
Musashi emphasized the importance of acting with complete clarity and decisiveness,
rather than being swayed by fragmented emotions. His concept of "mushin," often translated as
"empty mind" or "mind of no-mind," is central to this idea. Musashi believed that to achieve
mastery in any discipline - be it martial arts or life - one must cultivate a state
of mental clarity where decisions are made from a place of full understanding and impartiality.
For example, consider a swordsman facing an opponent. If the swordsman is influenced by
fear or overconfidence, their actions may become erratic and ineffective. In contrast, if the
swordsman operates from a state of "mushin," their movements are precise, well-calculated,
and unaffected by emotional turbulence. Similarly, imagine you are deciding whether
to promote an internal employee or hire a new candidate for a crucial role. If personal biases
or stress influence your decision—such as favoring the internal candidate due to a long-standing
relationship or choosing the external hire to avoid risk—you might end up making a less
effective choice. Applying Musashi’s principle of "mushin," you should approach this decision
with a clear, unbiased mindset. Evaluate each candidate’s qualifications, potential for growth,
and alignment with your team’s needs and the company's goals. By focusing solely on these
objective factors, you can make a well-informed decision. This ensures that your choice is based
on rational analysis and strategic fit, leading to the best outcome for your team and organization.
To develop the "mushin" or "empty mind" mindset, start by incorporating a few key habits into your
daily routine. Begin with regular meditation practices to calm your mind and reduce stress,
which helps you move beyond fleeting emotions and habitual thoughts. Next,
make time for self-reflection to identify and manage your personal
biases and emotional triggers, allowing you to approach situations more objectively. Finally,
commit to continuous learning and critical thinking to see challenges from different
perspectives and make well-informed decisions. By integrating these practices into your life,
you'll cultivate a clear, focused mindset that leads to better results and helps you
rise above mediocrity. 3. Stay Focused
In the words of Miyamoto “Never stray from the way”.
Musashi was known for his incredible focus, sticking to his path no matter the distractions
around him. He trained tirelessly, always putting his goals first. He lived a highly
minimalistic lifestyle, and owned only what he deemed absolutely necessary. This likely included
his swords, a few pieces of clothing, and basic tools for survival. By limiting his possessions,
he reduced distractions and responsibilities. He ate simple and frugal meals and lived in
seclusion, such as in caves or simple huts, where he could train and meditate without
interruption. For Musashi, accumulating wealth and objects was a waste of time as it distracts
us from more meaningful pursuits, which for him included spending countless hours perfecting his
sword skills and studying strategy, without letting comforts or distractions sway him.
In today's world, staying focused is tougher than ever due to constant distractions.
Our smartphones and computers are always buzzing with notifications,
and we’re bombarded with a flood of information. Multitasking often reduces the quality of our work
and makes it hard to concentrate. The drive for instant gratification and endless entertainment
options further pulls our attention away from long-term goals. This constant cycle
of material consumption and sensory overload can make it difficult to maintain the clarity
and discipline needed to achieve our objectives. To overcome mediocrity, we need to stay focused
and staying focused becomes easier when we embrace a simple lifestyle, like Miyamoto,
by keeping our desires in check and not being overly concerned with material possessions. When
we prioritize less, we free up mental space and energy to focus on what truly matters.
Establishing a daily routine helps create structure and keep distractions at bay.
Setting clear goals and boundaries provides direction and motivation, ensuring that our
efforts are aligned with our core priorities. Daily practices like regular exercise, healthy
eating, and sufficient sleep also support our ability to stay focused by keeping us physically
and mentally sharp. By valuing simplicity and reducing our attachment to material things,
we create an environment that builds discipline that strengthens our ability to focus.
By adopting these practices, you can mirror Musashi and rise above mediocrity.
4. Never let love or lust get in your way
Miyamoto teaches “Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.”
A key moment in Musashi’s life was when he encountered a woman who,
despite her charm, couldn’t distract him from his path. Although she was alluring,
Musashi remained dedicated to his martial training and spiritual growth. His commitment was so
strong that even romance couldn’t pull him off course. Musashi’s relationships, though present,
were always secondary to his quest for perfection in his art. Whether dealing with friends, rivals,
or admirers, he kept his focus on his mission. He knew that to achieve greatness,
he had to stay committed to his purpose with unwavering dedication.
Relationships are important for our well-being, providing support and connection. However,
they can also stir powerful emotions that may sway our decisions. For instance,
you might hesitate to move for a great opportunity because it means leaving a
loved one behind or turning down a promising job to spend more time with family. These are
common dilemmas and raise the question: How much should love and desire influence our decisions?
Musashi’s life teaches us that while relationships can be motivating,
they shouldn’t derail our goals. His relationships never interfered with his dedication to his craft,
showing that love and desire should support, not overshadow, our main objectives.
Think of it like tending a garden. Each plant needs specific care and attention, but if you
focus too much on adding extra fertilizer and neglect the basic needs of watering and weeding,
your garden can suffer. Similarly, love and desire should be like the sunlight that
nurtures your growth but shouldn’t overshadow the essential tasks needed to achieve your main goals.
They should enhance and motivate you without taking over the focus from your primary path.
If you haven’t found the supportive love that aligns with your goals, don’t rush it. Just keep
moving forward and trust that the right love will come in time, helping you achieve your
dreams rather than holding you back. Avoiding distractions from love or lust helps you stay
focused. When you keep your priorities clear, you resist temporary passions, maintaining the
discipline needed to rise above mediocrity. 5. Don't’ be a victim
Miyamoto Musashi once wrote “Accept everything just the way it is”.
Miyamoto’s life was filled with battles that tested his skills and resilience. One clear
example of such a battle was his famous duel with Sasaki Kojiro in 1612. Kojiro
was a highly skilled swordsman with a powerful technique and a fearsome reputation. The duel
was set on a remote island, and Kojiro was well-prepared with his signature weapon,
making the situation daunting for Musashi. Instead of complaining
about tough conditions or the strong opponent, Musashi accepted the reality of the situation.
He arrived late to the duel, creating a psychological edge and allowing him to
observe his opponent. He also used a wooden sword, which was both a practical choice and
a tactic to unsettle Kojiro. Musashi's ability to stay calm and strategically adapt to the situation
showed his commitment to facing challenges directly without letting them get to him.
When Musashi talks about "embracing reality," he means fully accepting and dealing with
your current situation, facing things as they are—whether they’re good, bad, or somewhere in
between—without wishing they were different. Whether it’s a personal struggle, a setback,
or a new chance, it’s all about acceptance. This approach helps you stay practical and
proactive as you focus on what you can do with the situation rather than being stuck wishing
things were different. You face facts honestly and squarely, without letting emotions like
frustration, regret, or anger cloud your judgment. On the other hand, when you only focus on what’s
wrong instead of the solution you start to feel powerless and stuck. You’re at
the mercy of external circumstances. So instead of taking steps to solve problems,
you end up blaming others or the situation, which keeps you feeling helpless and like a victim.
Now, many of us might enjoy seeing ourselves as victims because it lets us avoid taking
responsibility and helps shift the blame away from our own actions but feeling like a
victim can be addictive as it gives us sympathy from others. It’s easier to stay in this mindset
because it avoids the hard work of changing our situation or how we deal with it. This way,
we can protect ourselves from facing failure or extra stress by blaming external factors.
To escape from this victimhood, we should confront reality as it is, accept it without
attaching labels or judgments. When we label situations—whether as "unfair," "disastrous,"
or "impossible"—we create emotional responses that can reinforce a victim mindset. These labels often
trigger automatic reactions, making us feel helpless or justified in our frustrations.
By avoiding labels, we observe the facts without being swayed by personal biases or
emotional reactions. For example, instead of seeing a setback as a "failure," we can view
it as a challenge to address. This shift in perspective helps us to respond more
thoughtfully and constructively, rather than reacting out of frustration or helplessness.
When we accept reality, we confront our current circumstances and limitations honestly, rather
than denying or sugar coating them. This honest assessment allows us to identify areas where
we might be falling short or where improvements can be made, which helps us to beat mediocrity.
6. Protect your honor at all costs In our last quote from Miyamoto Musashi
for this video, he says; “You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor.”
Honor is a central tenet of Bushido, the code of the samurai. A Samurai’s honour encompasses 7 key
virtues: Integrity, Courage, Compassion, Respect, Loyalty, Self-Discipline and Rectitude which is
morally correct behavior or righteousnes. Samurais were expected to uphold their honor at all times,
both in their personal lives and in their roles as warriors. This meant acting with honesty,
fairness, and respect in all dealings, whether with friends, family, or foes.
Maintaining honor for them was more important than life itself.
To restore honor after a disgrace, some samurai practiced seppuku, a ritual form
of taking one's own life, to demonstrate their remorse and commitment to the code of Bushido.
Seppuku was their way of trying to make things right, to cleanse themselves of their shame and
showing they were still loyal to their values. In this serious ritual, they tried to regain
their honor and prove that, even in death, they stayed true to the principles they believed in.
In today’s world, we face intense pressure to succeed and meet high expectations,
which sometimes leads us to bend the truth or hide mistakes to avoid criticism. At work,
we see colleagues cutting corners and feel tempted to do the same. In our personal lives,
we might lie to protect our reputation or relationships. The digital world makes it
easier to be dishonest because of anonymity. Many of our actions are driven by the desire
for instant gratification. We are tempted to make dishonest choices for immediate benefits,
overlooking the long-term consequences. All these factors together create a challenging
environment for us, yet, we understand the value of living with honor and strive to
overcome these pressures, knowing that true self-respect comes from living truthfully.
When we live honorably and commit to all the seven virtues of honor,
we embrace honesty in all our interactions, both with others and ourselves. Honesty is
crucial because it ensures our actions and words align with our values and helps build trust. We
commit to keeping our promises. Whether it’s a small task or a big responsibility, following
through on our commitments shows that we are reliable and respect the trust others place in us.
We also commit to acting with compassion and treat everyone fairly and kindly, no matter who
they are. Lastly, we committed to doing the right thing, even when it's hard. This dedication pushes
us to improve and excel in all areas of life. By holding ourselves to these high standards,
we avoid taking shortcuts or settling for less, which keeps us from becoming average.
Instead, we strive for excellence and stand out in our actions and
character. Honor drives us to be our best selves, making us extraordinary.
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