I was sorting a stack of books this week when I ran across a little gem that i had forgotten—One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way. It was all the rage in management circles when it came out in 2004. Then it seems to have slipped from view. That’s too bad. It packs a lot of wisdom. In fact, I have to wholeheartedly agree with this review from its back cover by psychologist Dr. Susan Jeffers:
“This is a wonderful, very readable book that describes a peaceful and simple way of handling all the difficulties in our lives. You will breathe a sigh of relief as you read it.”
That’s a pretty big claim, but I believe its absolutely true. In short, Kaizen is a technique for change that originated in Japan that promotes the art of taking small steps, It demolishes the obstacle I call “Looking at the Mountain” that leads to nothing but overwhelm and procrastination. The “mountain” can be anything at all that you would like to achieve, from doing the after-dinner dishes, to starting an exercise program, or changing careers, or getting started at . . .well, anything. You look at the task and it just feels beyond your ability to deal with right now. It’s too complicated, or you don’t have the energy or motivation. So you put it aside and feel a little disappointed with yourself. Bummer.
But don’t despair! It’s Kaizen to the rescue! Instead of looking at the whole mountain, Kaizen gently coaxes you to break it down into teeny-tiny pieces and then tackle just the first little piece.
A few years ago I heard a story about this retired guy who spent his time sitting in front of the TV all day smoking and drinking whiskey. True story. He lived with one of his kids and didn’t have to make his own meals or do his own laundry or anything. He spent his days like this for about a year, and one day, from the window by his chair he saw the mailman put the day’s mail in the box at the end of the sidewalk. On a whim, he decided to walk out and get the mail. It felt kind of good to do that and he started to get the mail every day. After a while, he thought he’d see what it felt like to walk to end of the block, and he did that. Then he started walking around the block. One thing led to another, and he got so hooked on being in motion and exploring the neighborhood that he gave up his smokes and whiskey and started to jog. Then he tried running and he liked that, too. And two years after he got out his chair to get the mail, he won a seniors’ marathon racing up Pike’s Peak.
That’s what little steps will do for you. Once upon a time, that old fellah would have laughed in your face if you told him he’d be running up Pike’s Peak in a couple years. He probably thought he’d be six feet under by then. But he took that one small first step, and it changed his life.
So the next time a task feels like climbing a mountain, ask yourself what tiny first step can you take. Maybe it’s just getting up from your chair when the next commercial comes on, and then walking to the kitchen when the next one rolls around. Kaizen. It kind of makes a perfect complement to the question “How easy can I let this be?” Don’t you think?
Wishing you sweet little baby steps on your way to your goals!
Warmly,
Susan