This week’s:
Affirmation: I embrace the small steps that lead to lasting change.
Quote: Great things are done by a series of small things brought together - Vincent Van Gogh
Podcast: Listen To This If You’re Feeling Stuck (In Your Life, Career Or Relationship) With Sahil Bloom
Kaizen: The Power of Continuous Improvement
If you’ve been following the newsletter, you know I’ve been diving deep into Japanese concepts lately. First, we explored Ikigai, the idea of finding your purpose. Then, Misogi, the challenge of doing one thing each year that defines your year. This week, we’re looking at Kaizen, a concept rooted in the power of small, consistent changes.
Perhaps my fascination with these ideas stems from the fact that I’ll be traveling to Japan for the first time this year. But there’s also something universally appealing about Japanese philosophies as they bring clarity, mindfulness, and intention to life’s complexities.
I was first introduced to Kaizen in management classes at business school, but I realised the concepts can also be applied to daily life.
What is Kaizen?
Kaizen (改善) is a Japanese term that translates to ’improvement’ or ’change for the better’, derived from 改 kai - change, revision; and 善 zen - virtue, goodness. It’s built on the idea that small, incremental changes lead to big, transformative results over time. While Kaizen is often associated with business and manufacturing most notably the Toyota Production System it has profound applications in daily life.
Kaizen resonates with the philosophy of getting 1% better every day, which we’ve touched on in earlier newsletters. Small, consistent improvements compound over time, whether in personal habits, relationships, or professional endeavors.
The History of Kaizen
Kaizen gained prominence in Japan after World War II, when American business consultants introduced productivity methods to help rebuild the country’s economy. It became a cornerstone of the Toyota Production System, where it revolutionised manufacturing practices and set a global standard for efficiency and quality.
At Toyota, every employee from assembly line workers to supervisors was empowered to stop the production line if they noticed an issue. Together, they’d propose improvements to resolve the problem. This culture of continuous improvement wasn’t about placing blame but about identifying and addressing the root cause of an issue.
The Principles of Kaizen
Kaizen is underpinned by a few key principles that can be applied in business and daily life:
The PDCA Cycle
The Kaizen activity cycle follows four steps:
Plan: Identify a goal or problem and develop a plan to address it.
Do: Implement the plan on a small scale.
Check: Review the results to see if the change had the desired effect.
Act: Standardise the improvement if it worked, or adjust and try again.
The ”Five Whys” Technique
A hallmark of Kaizen is the five whys method, a root cause analysis that involves asking ”why” five times over to uncover the underlying reason behind an issue. For example:
Problem: I keep procrastinating on my work.
Why? I feel overwhelmed by my to-do list.
Why? I don’t prioritise tasks effectively.
Why? I haven’t created a system for organising my workload.
Why? I never learned effective time management techniques.
Why? I’ve been too focused on immediate tasks instead of long-term planning.
By the fifth “why,” you’ve likely uncovered the root cause of the problem, allowing you to take meaningful action.
How to Apply Kaizen to Your Life
While Kaizen is best known for its impact in manufacturing, its principles are incredibly useful for personal growth. Here’s how you can incorporate Kaizen into your daily life.
Identify Abnormalities or Negatives
Start by identifying areas in your life where you feel stuck, dissatisfied, or out of alignment. These abnormalities might include habits that no longer serve you, feelings of frustration, or recurring challenges.
Check In with Yourself
Once you’ve identified a problem, take time to reflect. Why is this issue occurring? What are the underlying factors contributing to it? Use the five whys technique to dig deeper and gain clarity.
Take Action
Implement small, actionable changes to address the issue. These changes don’t have to be dramatic. For example:
If you’re struggling with procrastination, commit to working for just five minutes.
If you want to exercise more, start with a 10-minute walk each day.
If you’re feeling disconnected from loved ones, schedule a weekly phone call or coffee date.
Plan and Repeat
Kaizen isn’t a one-time fix; it’s an ongoing process. Regularly evaluate your progress, make adjustments, and refine your approach. Small, consistent improvements will compound over time, leading to meaningful transformation.
The Power of Asking “Why”
One of Kaizen’s most powerful tools is the simple act of asking “why.” In a previous newsletter, we discussed how important it is to understand your why or your purpose or motivation behind a goal. Kaizen takes this concept further by encouraging you to ask “why” repeatedly to uncover deeper truths.
For example, if you’re struggling with overeating, you might ask yourself:
Why am I overeating? Because I feel stressed.
Why do I feel stressed? Because I have too much on my plate.
Why do I have too much on my plate? Because I have trouble saying no.
Why do I have trouble saying no? Because I fear disappointing others.
By identifying the root cause, you can address the real issue rather than just the symptoms.
Everyday Examples of Kaizen
Here are a few ways you can use Kaizen to improve your daily life:
Health and Fitness
Instead of overhauling your entire routine, start small. Add an extra serving of vegetables to your meals or commit to 10 minutes of exercise each day.
Productivity
Use the five whys technique to identify why you’re procrastinating, then implement a small change, like organising your workspace or setting a timer for focused work sessions.
Relationships
Strengthen connections by making small gestures, like sending a thoughtful text or expressing gratitude regularly.
Mental Health
Incorporate tiny habits like journaling for five minutes or practicing deep breathing when you feel stressed.
Why Kaizen Matters
In a world that often glorifies big, dramatic changes, Kaizen reminds us of the power of small steps. It shifts the focus from perfection to progress, from quick fixes to sustainable growth.
By embracing Kaizen, you give yourself permission to start where you are, with what you have. Over time, those small steps add up to significant transformations without the burnout or overwhelm that often accompanies major life changes.
Final Thoughts
Kaizen isn’t just a strategy; it’s a mindset. It’s about believing that every day offers an opportunity for improvement, no matter how small.
As you move through this week, I encourage you to approach life with a Kaizen mindset. Reflect on areas where you’d like to see change, ask yourself why, and take one small step forward.
After all, big transformations are simply the result of small, consistent actions over time.
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