Ideas Behind Personal Kaizen to Make Changes

Health and Wellness

By: jaktraks     17-Apr-2011

Introduction:

The Japanese word for taking small, continuous steps is KAIZEN. Kaizen is most often applied to business operations but it can help on a personal level also.

Personal Kaizen is the art of taking VERY small, continuous steps to make a change or create a new habit. Best of all, it works.

You Are Your Best Resource

Let's say you want to start exercising. Only YOU will know what very small step you will be able and willing to take. It may not be essential to come up with your own steps, but you will likely have a better chance at succeeding if you do. Trust yourself.

Steps Need to Be Non-Threatening

The steps you choose need to be so small they will not feel threatening. When we feel threatened our autonomic nervous system will kick in with the fight or flight response (fear & anxiety) and derail our intentions. Small enough steps will not feel threatening or overwhelming.

Steps Need to Be Continuous

The steps you choose can be incredibly small but they MUST be done continuously - at least daily - to form a new behavior. When the first step begins to become a habit its important to continue on with another step right away. Keep the momentum going.

Change Will Be Gradual

Perhaps it goes without saying that the change will be gradual, but also remember that changes rarely stick when you make them by leaps. Leaping most often ends in failure after failure. Small, continuous steps will get you where you want to go. Remember the "Turtle and the Hare"?.

Progress Is Noticeable

You won't need a ruler or even have to keep a written record of progress. When the step you are consistently doing starts to become a habit - you do it without thinking about it too much - then its time to choose the next small step and continue on.




Final Thoughts

Kaizen example: If you want to eat fewer sweets a first step could be tossing the first bite of every candy bar, or the first forkful of a piece of pie, in the garbage. when that gets to be a habit the second step could be to throw the first two bites away, etc.


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Comments

  • litetender 4/17/2011

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    I have never heard of Kaizen before, but have practiced it for many years. What a wonderful list to share!!! I hope this makes the front page! High five!


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