by Robert Maurer | ⭐⭐⭐
A way tool long introduction to the method of small steps.
Innovation
The word innovation is commonly used to mean a breakthrough achievement. In business, it means a drastic change (which ideally lasts a short time, causing huge changes at once; a shocking, radical change), for example:
- mass layoffs (lasts a short time), sudden need for restructuring
- investing money in a startup (lasts a short time), huge profit (but also outside of business)
- quitting an addiction cold-turkey
- a radical plan to get rid of debt
Radical changes can cause burnout.
Kaizen
In business: The opposite of Innovation. Literally: the method of continuous improvement of management and production processes at every level, just-in-time.
- Every employee can suggest an idea for process improvement
- Without judgment
In life: Comfortable, small steps towards development. The method of small steps
"Even the longest journey begins with one step." —Lao TzuWhy Kaizen?
Changes from day to day are small and achievable almost effortlessly (favorable environment). In the long run, they lead to a huge change.
Small Kaizen steps:
- turn off/deceive the mechanism of fear (fight/flight) before major changes
- mechanism of fear: midbrain -> amygdala; fight or flight reaction, triggered when we suddenly implement a change (innovation).
- Sudden change always causes fear
- Brain reaction is automatic
- more conscious part of the brain (cerebral cortex) can be blocked
- stimulate rational thinking and creative thinking
- create new neural connections while building new habits
- satisfy the need to move forward and reduce stress
- effort is almost imperceptible
- especially when the task is enjoyable and causes pride
Expect Fear
Fear warns of a challenge, signifies ambition, and strengthens hope. The more fear we feel, the more we care about something.
By expecting fear, you can approach the problem calmly.
Small Questions
The brain loves questions. Questions like "how can I lose 25kg in 2 weeks" are difficult and cause immense anxiety. Asking "what are the smallest steps I can take to improve my health?" does not cause this anxiety:
- what can I do for 5 minutes a day to improve my budget/health/relationships?
Over time, the brain will start to respond with effective ideas - the amygdala rests, and the cortical brain can shine.
They require calm and patience. You should ask yourself questions regularly, as long as it is necessary for the brain to respond.
- we lose control over the process of change and cannot determine the moment when we have achieved the goal, just as we cannot say when we mastered driving a car or playing the guitar.
You should ask about positives (instead of asking why am I so fat? ask what little thing do I like about myself today?).
Small questions may seem funny, but at least they do not evoke a negative reaction, fear.
The sign that you can move on is when you perform the previous step automatically, effortlessly, and even with pleasure.
Examples
- Perry Spencer - microwave
- left a candy bar next to the radar
- asked "why did the radar melt the candy bar"
- asked more small questions
- microwave
- who can I ask for help?
- how can I improve my diet in the smallest way possible?
- what can I do to slightly improve my relationship with the client?
- what is one thing my husband does that makes me happy?
- what can I do to slightly move closer to my goal?
- who have I not talked to in a long time?
- what good thing can I say about that person?
It is worth writing down the answers in a journal (or in another form).
Mind Sculpting
It involves pretending to perform actions in imagination. Useful in accomplishing difficult tasks.
The brain does not distinguish between reality and the world of imagination. By training (imagining the exercise), I still affect the chemistry of the body. Neuronal connections are still being formed.
- Choose a task (that causes fear or discomfort)
- Decide how long you want to sculpt your mind each day (in seconds).
- the time must be chosen so that it is not difficult to perform the task daily
- Perform the exercise in a quiet and comfortable place.
- Imagine a difficult situation, a challenge.
- _What do you see? What surrounds you? Who is there? What do they look like?__ Try to see the facial expressions of other people, their clothes, posture.
- Also imagine smells, tastes, sounds.
- Imagine performing the task
- words used, tone of voice, feeling of holding an object, etc.
- Imagine a positive outcome in response to completing the task
- public speaking -> eyes of the audience staring with curiosity, the sound of taking notes, etc.
- Perform the task when you feel mentally prepared after the training.New Year's resolutions - examples
- Healthy eating
- throw away the first bite of a fattening snack for a month
- throw away the first two bites in the following month
- in the third month - three bites
- focus on eating slower and being more mindful while eating
- Exercise
- use a hand gripper while watching TV
- do one push-up a day for a period of time
- take the stairs instead of using the elevator for one floor
- ask yourself what small activity would bring me pleasure (running, biking, or swimming)
- Saving money
- save 5 PLN a day
- for example, by replacing a larger coffee with a smaller one
- come up with one way to spend the saved money each day
- you will find more motivation to save instead of indulging in small pleasures
- Productivity
- write down things that consume your time
- write down things that you think are more productive. Add one thing to the list every day
- when you feel like it, try one of them in the style of kaizen
Problem solving
Solve problems as soon as they arise.
- without procrastinating too much
- We are used to small problems, so we do not solve minor inconveniences.
- According to the theory of broken windows
- Yet they can be warning signs.
- Think about whether there were any small warning signs before the last, big problem.
- Think about what helped solve that problem.
Ask yourself #Small Questions to learn how to solve problems in advance.
- What step can I take to improve the situation?
- Do small problems tend to develop?
- Can I put the problem in a broader context?
Never assume that systems will work reliably (if something can go wrong, it will; Murphy's Law).
Do not react with anger. Responding with anger to life's challenges increases your chances of heart disease sevenfold compared to people leading an identical lifestyle but with a different temperament.
Use your inner wisdom. Respond to the small, nagging feeling that something is wrong.
Rewards
Reward yourself for each step.
Use small rewards. They are optimal because they use one of the principles of human nature: the larger the external reward, the greater the chance that it will weaken or suppress the innate drive for excellence.
- Larger rewards reduce internal motivation in favor of external motivation.
- In a corporate environment, large monetary rewards may suggest that the employee is a cog in the machine and must be encouraged to act solely on promises of personal gain.
- Small rewards are a form of recognition and appreciation for the need for personal development and contribution.
Examples
- Thank you
- Honest feedback about yourself (e.g. when the problem is dealing with criticism)
- Small and trivial _gifts_
Small Moments
Kaizen requires a slower pace. Recognizing small moments (appreciating the everyday wonders) teaches us to live in the present moment.
Many breakthroughs have resulted directly from patient, daily observation of small phenomena.
in relationships
In happy marriages, positive attitudes towards one's partner occur five times more often than negative ones. Small gestures are appreciated, such as:
- speaking calmly when receiving a call from one's partner
- instead of getting upset or having a quick conversation suggesting that the call interrupted important tasks
- asking about the details of the other person's day
- putting the phone down when one's partner enters the room
- coming home at the agreed-upon time
- or at least notifying of a planned delay.
- focusing on one's partner's strengths rather than weaknesses
Small moments allow the other person to feel cared for and nurtured. It allows them to feel loved for who they are, not just for what they do.
Summary
The beauty of kaizen and its challenge lies in the fact that it requires faith in the power of the body and mind. By taking small steps, you set your internal compass on a new course and allow the mind to take care of the rest.
Instead of aggressively forcing yourself to think about change in a "military" way, let your mind make jumps at its own pace.
Look at kaizen as a process that never ends, perceiving life in terms of opportunities for continuous development, constantly raising the bar, and developing your own potential.
Because what could be more important in life than extracting possibilities from every passing moment?