Kaizen: ridiculously good for you

Kaizen is all about continuous improvement. Here are a few ways it can support you in your day-to-day.

Kaizen: ridiculously good for you
We can all use a little more Japan in our daily life Photo by Sorasak / Unsplash

Overcome obstacles and achieve your goals, using the Japanese concept of kaizen? Yes please.

Kaizen is all about continuous improvement, focusing on small but meaningful steps that add up over time. When we’re faced with a daunting task, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and become paralyzed by indecision. But by breaking that task down into smaller pieces, we can start to make progress without feeling overwhelmed. This is the essence of kaizen, and it’s a powerful tool for overcoming over-thinking.

Kaizen hacks for everyday life

Counter negative thoughts with positive questions

Instead of saying "I suck at this" or "I can't lose weight", challenge yourself and ask: "What have I accomplished today that is taking me closer to my ideal weight?" Stop beating yourself up over mistakes or perceived failures. Instead, ask yourself what you have accomplished today and what steps you can take towards your goals. By practicing positive self-talk, you can develop a more optimistic outlook and cultivate a sense of confidence and self-assurance.

Start small - ridiculously small

The key to kaizen is taking small, manageable steps. Don’t try to change everything at once or take on too much. Instead, start with something small and achievable, like organizing your desk or setting a timer for 5 minutes of total focus each hour (or day if that's where you need to start). Rinse and repeat.

Focus on the process, not the outcome

It’s easy to get bogged down in the end result, but that can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on the process and the steps you need to take to get there. Celebrate each small victory along the way, and the big results will follow.

Celebrate progress

Finally, be sure to celebrate your progress along the way. Every small step is a victory, and it’s important to acknowledge that. Celebrate with a small reward, like a fancy coffee or a few minutes of Instagram. This will help keep you motivated and energized way more than big rewards after big results (and unrealistic expectations).

In conclusion, applying kaizen to your everyday life can help you overcome procrastination and over-thinking.

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Kaizen is a kind of hack – a way to bypass our biological instincts. That’s how kaizen works – tricking your brain by taking small, sneaky steps... in the right direction.