Advice on work and life from Mark Ellison, known as New York's best carpenter.

Author Mark Ellison is a carpenter for celebrities including Robin Williams, David Bowie, and Woody Allen, and is considered one of New York's best carpenters.
Never one to say 'no' to a demanding assignment, he has specialized in building some of the most elaborate, intricate, luxurious and beautiful homes in New York.
He says the 40 years he spent building homes taught him “a lot about work and life: beliefs, talents, capabilities, dreams, principles, fears and failures, wealth and class.”
This book, "On Perfection," is about him.
The author says that a more difficult and noble realization than the pursuit of perfection is that we should not carelessly mock failure, collapse, weakness, and error.
This book will serve as a guide for those who want to do well on their own and those who have set their life goals to do what they want.

Building a house worthy of a magazine page takes a while of being covered in grease and dirt.
Advertisers and lowly influencers around the world are constantly telling us that accumulating endless wealth is the key to living a glamorous and fulfilling life.
But such claims do not penetrate the dark armor we wear.
We know all too well the real picture hidden behind the flashy exterior.
Having guests admire your palatial mansion may boost your self-esteem, but that doesn't mean you'll be a beloved parent.


This is not to say that everyone should learn a craft or devote themselves to manual labor.
But if you ignore the dust, the dirt, or the dark thoughts, you will miss out on meaningful moments in life.
By building something yourself from start to finish, you can learn incomparably more than owning the finished product.

---From the "Prologue"

We are confused for the following reasons:

Beliefs about life.

Beliefs about who I am.

Belief in my abilities and what I am allowed to do.

We struggle to clearly define ourselves.
There are some things that are simply not worth the shame of missing or letting slip by.

---From "Chapter 1: Belief"

When I see athletes moving their bodies with precision, I can't help but be amazed.
As each element of the body moves in unison according to the athlete's will, accurate and beautiful expressions are possible.
Few athletes can describe their movements in detail after a game or performance, because such movements are driven by the body, not the brain.
I believe that everyone can learn skills with their body.
When a skill is mastered, it becomes comfortable and skillful.
The thrill of accomplishing something faster and easier than you thought is indescribable.
I also often work two or three times faster than usual to test my maximum speed.
After working like this for about 40 years, I have acquired a lot of skills and know almost all the materials.
And when it comes to collaborating with experts and technicians from other fields, I've also come to understand the unique requirements and challenges of each field.

---From "Chapter 7 Competency"

I want to learn more, become more skilled, and create things that look amazing.
Even if it means having to endure days and weeks of self-doubt and stress and discomfort, I think it's worth making that sacrifice.
If you mess up, the consequences will be unavoidable.
But unlike surgeons or professional dancers, mistakes made in woodworking have a chance of recovery.
A carpenter must acknowledge and accept the imperfections in what he creates.
When I think about a finished project, I inevitably think of its shortcomings.
However, I feel great joy and satisfaction when I find a way to accomplish a difficult task that everyone around me has given up on.

---From "Chapter 9: Fear and Failure"

Will depends on human actions.
In all areas, ability and achievement are inextricably linked.
Yet, I've always been puzzled by the fact that people don't pay much attention to will.
People focus only on the results of their will without thinking deeply about the will itself.
The process is mostly ignored.
When a musician or athlete demonstrates extraordinary talent, they attract public attention.
The reason people are excited at this time is because the fruits of their will are expressed on stage.
This is something that can be commercialized, and it is a result that can only be achieved through years of hard work and determination to overcome doubts, mistakes, and shortcomings.
But no one cares how long you've been working hard and not giving up behind the scenes.

---From "Chapter 10: Friendship and Death"

Most of our lives are spent working.
Everything in this world needs management or care.
Business, relationships, home, garden, machinery, interests, body, psychology - none of this is an exception.
If someone doesn't keep maintaining and managing it, everything will fall apart.
Of course, even if you manage it, there are things that eventually collapse.
Doing what you like can be fun, but on the other hand, there are many things you have to do even if you don't want to.
It takes a tremendous amount of effort to ensure that most of the components in your life are well-managed and functioning without any problems.
If you work hard and reach that state, you can be proud.
Furthermore, it would not be at all strange to set aside time to celebrate this.
Throwing a party can be fun, but it's not necessary.
It might be enough to just hear a neighbor compliment you over the fence: “Your garden is really beautiful.”
At that time, “Thank you.
You can respond by saying, “I feel proud of myself for tending my garden like this.”

---From the "Epilogue"