kaizen – small continuous improvements
There’s a book I bought sometime last year (I need to track down the person who borrowed it indefinitely), called The Toyota Way. It discusses and breaks down the 14 Principles of the Toyota Way as a management philosophy used by the Toyota corporation.
It’s a book I’d recommend to anyone involved in any type of business or organisation, as it has deeply embedded principles on leadership, management and production that can be translated to almost any sphere of life.
Anyways, somewhere in there, they introduced me to Kaizen, Japanese for “continuous improvement”. Although the Toyota way looks at Kaizen in a corporate or organisational context, Kaizen, broadly is a Japanese philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement throughout all aspects of life.
Case in point: Making a commitment for a 100% improvement in whatever area of your life within the next two years is so ambiguous it’s almost wishful thinking. You might be able to achieve it, but the odds are against you. However, making a commitment to improve by 5% every two months is more achievable. You’re breaking down your goals and targets into something manageable.
Another scenario, from personal experience. For more than four years, I’ve been lamenting over how I need a digital camera, and in my mind, the budget for a digital SLR is 1,200,000/=. Yup, 1.2m. So in all those four years, what have I done about it? Nothing, except whine and make lots of noise about how “I seriously” need a digital camera.”
Imagine if I’d set aside like 10k every week. As in made sure I saved some money off a boda ride, or an uneccessary toffee, and saved 10,000 shillings per week. How much would I have now? 2,080,000/=.
Yup, I’d have the camera, plus accessories, and I’d be well on the way to purchasing a Kawasaki Ninja.
But all I keep constantly doing, was look at the lumpsum of 1.2m, get discouraged and just keep wishing.
Another scenario, you don’t like your weight and you want to lose 20kgs. But you know how much work you need to put into it like jogging 40 minutes a day for the next five years, and you quit before you even start. But it could be as simple as letting that one extra chocolate pass you by or doing five situps per day.
Look at the end, know the sacrifice you have to make, but don’t wait to make it all at once. Start now, start slow, take that first small step. Start with something you can manage, and then build up, slowly, but steadily.
You’ll be amazed at how much you can achieve.
I’ve already saved 20k for the camera. Woohoo!
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17 Responses to “kaizen – small continuous improvements”
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Tamzel on December 10th, 2008
I also need a digital camera but 10K a week is too much for me. But I’ll try.
Tamzel’s last blog post..Bad Boy – The End
The Emrys on December 10th, 2008
ha dude! 10k a week, now there’s a rot plan. i should get started on my scooter
The Emrys’s last blog post..1001 Tales – Zea mays
Bruce McIntire on December 10th, 2008
Hello. I was reading someone elses blog and saw you on their blogroll. Would you be interested in exchanging blog roll links? If so, feel free to email me.
Thanks.
Miss Cheri on December 10th, 2008
Since no one wants the socks…SOCKS!!!
Miss Cheri’s last blog post..Merry christmas y’all
Ugandan girl on December 10th, 2008
LOL…..Cheri..me i was coming down to the same thing socks…only to realised you had beat me to them…
Gwe dude they say every little helps…me i want a masion
Ugandan girl’s last blog post..Whisper in the dark
Mr. B2B... on December 10th, 2008
Dawg
i am witchu all the way
Mr. B2B…’s last blog post..WTF moments
Erique on December 11th, 2008
Easier said dude…
Erique’s last blog post..How To Be Ugandan
Nevender on December 11th, 2008
What if you want to stop being single? How does “kaizen” apply?
Nevender’s last blog post..For your soul and my birthday
The Apprentice on December 11th, 2008
Aaaah yes, Kaizen. You know I’ve got japanese in my blood so anything good you say, I’m down with it. Strangely, for such a simple concept, it’s ridiculously hard to implement on a personal basis. Me thinks it will be quite challenging to follow thru with that savings plan for the SLR but then again, you have actually pulled off crazier things in your lifetime. Will you take crisp pics of my family and I? He he he.
The Apprentice’s last blog post..It’s monday.Don’t you wish you were a street-sweeper?
Minty on December 11th, 2008
You’re talking to me.
Johnie on December 11th, 2008
Kaizen here i come.
End of 2009 i shouldnt be sharing that
ka-seat with taxi conductors and their smelly armpits.. Should have ma own ride.
I’ll miss the crazy boda rides though.
Thanx for the advise King.
Igis on December 11th, 2008
Nice. I like the concept. I am adopting it into the plans for my life from this moment. About that digital camera….what time span have you given yourself? I will contribute the LAST 100,000/= towards the purchase
Hope this will motivate you to keep saving for it. When the time comes, I will deposit the $$ on your account.
Igis’s last blog post..The Puerto Rican Connection
Mr. B2B... on December 11th, 2008
@Igiss
Dawg
seriously
i am looking at the sky blue range rover…
just a few more pounds and er….
Mr. B2B…’s last blog post..WTF moments
Igis on December 11th, 2008
@ Mr B2B
Sky blue range rover? hahaha. You got me laughing hard. I wonder what the price tag is?
Igis’s last blog post..The Puerto Rican Connection
Oblilimburess on December 19th, 2008
????????????? ???????? ?????.
break’s over on January 2nd, 2009
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