The Power of Small Changes: Put Some Kaizen into Your Day

Kaizen.  I like it.  Also relates well to Darren Hardy 'The Compound Effect'.  Thank you for the post.  mdm

Many of us need to make a few adjustments in our thoughts and activities.

Thanks for this interesting post.

Hi Steve agreed. Those small shifts in how one does business can can contribute hugely to long term success.  Stop chasing the 'shiny objects'.  Those of us in the business for years know this and have been doing so for many years.  Streamlining  (improving) our business practices is a good thing for ALL!

Nothing stays the same and you and I reinvent our job daily which means new habits and methods. Kaizen sounds like easy does it small dial adjustments. Creative ways to brainstorm and systematically find innovative approaches to any problem finds the best solutions . We use "scamper" in local Rotary projects Steve Penner to flush out new ways to improve and expand. The format helps flush out ideas to tighten and expand.

• Substitute comes up with another topic that is equivalent to the present topics.
• Combine adds information to the original topic.
• Adjust identifies ways to construct the topic in a more flexible and adjusted material.
• Modify, magnify, minify creatively changes the topic or makes a feature/idea bigger or smaller.
• Put to other uses identifies the possible scenarios and situations where this topic can be used.
• Eliminate removes ideas or elements from the topic that are not valuable.
• Reverse, rearrange evolves a new concept from the original concept

I'm always looking for ways to improve and streamline processes - that helps everyone involved!

Steve Penner - Great post and congratulations on your FEATURE. In my graduate program at the University I had one semester learning Kaizen. It was one of the best learning experiences in my life. 

I like KAIZEN a lot!  Just tweaking a plan with small improvements seems to be a better path to success than a total dump and go with something different.

Good morning Steve,

Congratulations on the featured post! I've not heard of Kaizen before so this is a good new word and concept to hear about. Small, incremental shifts in how one does business can can contribute hugely to long term success! Stay away from running after any new "shiny" object that pops up....never helps your business like steady improvements.

I love this term and what it means. Excellent words of wisdom for us all.

Refrain from scrolling smart phones when you have things to do. I put the phone in my pocket.

Steve:

I'm glad to see this great advice featured. Change can be difficult sometimes, but small steps for gradual improvement makes lots of sense.  And you shared some good examples.

Thank you.

Jeff

Whether it is Kaizen or something else, change is necessary. We need to evolve, grow and get better over time. If not, we will be left in the dust by those who demand that we change and by those that do change to meet increased demands and an ever changing environment.

There's a book called Atomic Habits that's all about making small changes and turning them into habits that enhance your life.

I heard a good strategy the other day of doing something for two minutes at a time and then expanding from there so that there’s no pressure. :)

Thank you for the gentle reminder. I was unfamiliar with the word "Kaizen" but I like it! It reminds me that small improvements or shifts can make a big difference. Also, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Absolutely true… I didn’t know there was a term for it and I love the word Kaizen

There’s an old saying about how you eat an elephant. The answer is one bite at a time

I like Kaizen, and thank you for the informative post. Small changes can sometimes make a big difference in business by streamlining processes. 

As our football coach to the Eagles stresses all the time 1% improvement. If we are always trying to improve, then eventually we will be amazing. 

The word "kaizen" was new to me until today.  I have been working toward a new goal of not keeping my phone within arms length.  Keeps me from picking it up and wasting precious time that could and should be used for something more productive and positive.  After 21 days of making a change ... it becomes a habit.  I am proud of the improvement I have seen in my life! 

Now, if only my grandchildren could see the advantages.  Hmmmmmm -- IMHO