Kaizen: Why you can reach more with small steps.

Changes are exciting and uncomfortable for many people. We explain how the Kaizen method and philosophy can help you with this.

Kaizen literally means “change” (Kai) to “become good” (zen). This method, originally developed in Japan, is often used in process improvements. But it’s more than a method, it’s a philosophy of life. Another definition is: ‘take apart and put together better’. Let this be the core of changes to a healthy(er) lifestyle!

Working towards a healthy lifestyle with small steps gives a greater chance of a lasting effect. When you have very clear for yourself what your goal is (and you almost feel it) small steps towards this goal can ensure that you achieve this goal.

For example: your goal is to grow old healthy. You want to see your children, and maybe even future grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up. One step towards this goal is to get enough exercise on a daily basis. If you have an inactive lifestyle (sedentary work, traveling by public transport and car) this can be a big change. Thresholds are, for example, the daily hustle and bustle that you experience or because you just don’t like the gym. But just imagine what it will be like if you start small? For example, by walking back and forth for a minute every day while watching television? This sounds feasible right? A week later you can extend this to two, three and more minutes. You will notice that your resistance to movement gradually disappears. A nice next step is to take a walk outside before you watch TV, for example. You may feel so energized afterwards that you leave the television behind when you get home.

Any change that deviates from our daily routine triggers a stress response. This reaction will, as it were, get in the way of us reaching our goal. This, and setting the bar too high (resulting in disappointment), will leave you frustrated and likely spiraling downward. Small steps, no matter how small, give results. This sense of success naturally gives you the desire to make new changes.

For more information, see this link.

Source: The Spirit of Kaizen: Creating Lasting Excellence One Small Step at a Time. To buy the book, see this link.

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