Kaizen and You (This is not an anime reference you fookin' nerds)

 Happy Fucking Friday ya'll

"Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently" - Henry Ford

This is a ✨Japanese✨ inspired philosophy so get your bonsai trees and koi ponds out because we're taking a little trip east 🏯.

This fun little favorite of mine can be applied in both our personal AND professional lives. Love me a good BOGO(It's where shopping is a pleasure)

Here's some AI overlord context before I start giving you my "cultured" and "poignant" take/application on the matter. 

History of Kaizen
Kaizen, meaning "continuous improvement" in Japanese (from "kai" = change, and "zen" = good), originated in post-World War II Japan. It became a cornerstone of Japanese business culture, heavily influenced by American management practices introduced during the U.S.-led occupation of Japan. One of the key figures in this development was W. Edwards Deming, an American statistician and consultant who taught Japanese leaders about quality control and systematic improvement.

In the 1950s, Kaizen was formally embraced by Japanese companies like Toyota, where it became an integral part of the Toyota Production System (TPS). This approach focused on reducing waste, improving efficiency, and involving all employees—from top executives to line workers—in the process of innovation and improvement. Kaizen soon spread beyond manufacturing to other industries, becoming a hallmark of Japanese business success.

Core Principles of Kaizen

1. Continuous Improvement: Improvement is a never-ending process rather than a one-time effort.
2. Employee Involvement: Everyone in the organization contributes ideas, fostering a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility.
3. Eliminating Waste (Muda): Streamlining processes by identifying and removing inefficiencies.
4. Incremental Changes: Small, manageable improvements are prioritized over drastic changes, reducing disruption and increasing sustainability.
5. Focus on Process: Emphasizes refining processes to achieve better results, rather than merely focusing on outcomes.

Significance of Kaizen

1. Business Impact: Kaizen transformed Japanese industries, particularly manufacturing, into global leaders by improving productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.
2. Cultural Shift: It encourages a mindset of growth and adaptability, where every problem is an opportunity for improvement.
3. Global Influence: Today, Kaizen is widely adopted across industries worldwide, from healthcare to education, as a tool for operational excellence.
4. Personal Growth: Beyond business, Kaizen is also applied to personal development, helping individuals achieve long-term goals by taking small, consistent steps toward improvement.

Kaizen’s legacy lies in its simplicity and universal applicability, proving that sustained success is built not on monumental changes but on a steady stream of small, meaningful actions.

Thanks Computer Daddy.

So, the application in OUR lives here is aiming to be 1% better every day.

"But, how do I do that Dorian?" I'm glad you asked my little blog enthusiast.

We can create a system tailored to reach our goal.

Wanna get fit? Create a system.

Wanna improve the quality of your work? Create a system

Wanna get better at talking to women? Create a system (but don't be creepy about it, you perv)

At it's core, your system should be a enaction of behaviors that lead TOWARDS a goal.

You want to make small, positive changes that (very slowly) push you closer to becoming well.... better.

We rarely succeed when we jump into something full tilt without any prior experience. So, why would we use the same method when trying to improve our personal or professional lives?

Here's an example that is close to my bookworm heart.

Want to read more and use that new habit to become more informed/smarter?

Well, I wouldn't dive right into "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand.

Kaizen would suggest that you read something like, oh I don't know, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.(You know the author, you little wizards).

It's an EASIER task and will help to begin building a foundation so that, with time, you'll be ready to tackle such an endeavor as Atlas Shrugged. 

Should you read 12 chapters about orphans and a hairy groundskeeper your very first day? No, you shouldn't. 

Start with 1 page. 

Start with 1 workout.

Start with one healthy meal a day.

Start with that 1%.

You'll be amazed at where you'll be in a year from now. 

Kaizen can make us all better, I think. So thanks Japan. You rock. 

Thanks ❤,

Dorian

• Anime you should check out because Guts - Berserk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxLKPu2erec&t=8322s
• I read this book when I poop - "A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikagai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi and More" by Erin Niimi Longhurst
• Facebook page you should follow because Trevor and I will be keeping you up to date on our upcoming podcast 👀 - Manic Man Cave - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572279186227