The Japanese philosophy, focused on continuous improvement through small, consistent changes rather than dramatic changes, is transforming the way people approach personal development and lifestyle modifications.
Unlike the radical transformations that often lead to burnout and failure, the ancestral concept of Kaizen teaches that tiny, incremental adjustments can create lasting, sustainable transformation in our everyday lives.
The Japanese term “Kaizen” can be translated as “good change” and originated as a theory of business development in Postwar Japanat a time when the country was trying to rebuild itself.
The concept was introduced by North American business leaders at the time tasked with revitalizing the Japanese economy, and was quickly adopted by companies such as Toyota in the 1950s.
The fundamental principle was simple but revolutionary: Instead of implementing sweeping transformations, improvements should be made through very small steps — just 1% of the process at a time. This incremental approach allowed companies to track progress more closely and increase their chances of long-term success.
Although kaizen began in the business world, its applications expanded far beyond factories. Currently, the philosophy is adopted in healthcare, personal development, sport and the management of everyday life.
Several NFL and NBA teams have attributed this type of incremental change, sometimes called “marginal gains“, a fundamental role in your competitive success.
O psychological foundation of Kaizen is particularly convincing. Habit change experts have revealed that starting with the smallest steps possible helps bypass the brain’s natural resistance to change.
When we attempt radical lifestyle transformations, our minds often revolts against sudden disturbanceleading to the abandonment of new habits.
However, changes so small that seem almost insignificant They manage to go unnoticed by our psychological defenses, allowing new behaviors to gradually take root.
One of the greatest virtues of Kaizen is its accessibility. It does not require any financial investment, special equipment or extensive time commitment.
The philosophy is essentially mental, simply requiring a shift in the way we think about behavioral change. This “democratic” nature makes it available to anyoneregardless of your circumstances or resources.
Implementing kaizen in everyday life follows a straightforward process, explains the British consultant Sarah Harveywho lived in Tokyo for a few years, in an article in .
Firstly, it is necessary identify an area in need of improvement — be it health, relationships, work-life balance, or personal habits.
Then, determine the smallest possible initial step towards this change. For example, instead of completely banishing cell phones from the bedroom, simply put it out of immediate reach. This small adjustment often naturally reduces nighttime use of the cell phone, ultimately making it easier to remove it completely, if desired.
In the Kaizen method, it is crucial track progress: keep a diary or notes on your phone that document changes and their effects, that provide tangible evidence of success — which motivates further improvements.
Also set reasonable goals and create accountabilityPerhaps sharing goals with friends or family increases the likelihood of maintaining momentum.
Finally, once the initial changes prove successful, deciding what next small stepgradually building your next improvements on the achievements already achieved.
Philosophy also reveals itself valuable during challenging timesincluding COVID-19 lockdowns and the demanding first months of parenthood.
When normal routines fall apart, Kaizen provides a framework for managing overwhelming circumstances by breaking them down into manageable parts. Sometimes, simply commit to a daily walk becomes a significant achievement, which reinforces the value of fresh air and movement.
The fundamental lesson of Kaizen is that success breeds success. Small victories, when repeated consistently, silently accumulate into significant transformation.
By embracing this philosophy, we can escape the cycle of dramatic failed resolutions and instead build sustainable, lasting changes that genuinely improve our lives — one small step at a timeconcludes Sarah Harvey.
