Kaori Tenshi's Key Ideas from Kaizen
by Sarah Harvey

Your first actions should be so small you barely notice any difference. Adding them up will produce momentum (“contagious enthusiasm” and a compound effect. What is the smallest, most easily achievable step you can make toward your goal? 

Then set various incremental steps to achieve your goal. This step-by-step technique is recommended by experts and makes it a lot easier to sustain change in the early stage. It also makes lasting change more likely.

Once you’ve established your goals and first steps, write them down. Now, set a time frame for completing them.

Breaking down your goals in achievable steps makes it easier to complete. If the habits you want to cultivate are permanent ones, it’s important to set a measurement and cadence (e.g. one yoga class per week). The kaizen philosophy suggests adjusting your time frame as you go, according to your natural pace. So if you find you’re feeling overwhelmed, make your goal even smaller. The more wins you accumulate the more likely you are to maintain momentum and make progress. The goal of Kaizen is not to cross off tasks but ongoing improvement.

Tracking progress allows you to see timely where you need to improve. Bullet journaling can help through habit tracker inserts that enable a visual depiction of your progress. Alternatively use habit tracking apps. Do an end of month review to understand the progress you made and what you need to adjust, including setting new goals as needed.

The time required to pick up a new habit changes from person to person and from habit to habit (18 to 254 days). Everyone has its own pace, so respect your own. The beauty of kaizen is that it’s a flexible and personalized approach to lifelong change – adjust to what works for you. Stay aware of your feelings and behaviors to identify when to step back. If you find yourself not meeting short-term goals, simply return to the very smallest possible action you can take instead. Taking a small action is better than taking none, and it enables you to gradually work your way up to your goal.

• Ikigai: find your unique contribution, live longer
• Ichigo Ichie: learn how to make the most of each moment and fulfill your Ikigai
• Joy at work: set your vision and curate your work life for joy and productivity
• Wabi sabi: find beauty in imperfection and craft your own path