The Art of Continuous Improvement

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The concept of Continuous Improvement (CI) has been a buzzword in corporations for years, especially with Lean Six Sigma or process improvement policies in place.

In my years of experience, the only time I’ve seen or heard it used for personal development was in Dr. Robert Maurer‘s book, One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way.

Companies like Toyota, Motorola, and General Electric maintain strong disciplines in sustaining and improving company Best Practice in Operational Excellence. They’ve saved not only millions but billions of dollars with current practices maintaining strong savings - CI a strong part of this success.

Some companies complain that after including LSS in their operations, they saved, only small percentages, saying it’s hardly worth the effort and energy.  Executive management, however, argues that had they not, they would have suffered irreconcilable losses.

Continuous Improvement for Individuals?

Because of this, corporations cannot argue its value.  

Question is: can an individual gain from similar practices?

Surprisingly, similar methods are being practiced by life coaches, currently, to encourage and motivate their clients to plan, and implement strategies that include CI.

CI is part of both Lean Six Sigma management and International Standards Organization. Companies, that make it part of their management routine, benefit with less waste and defects thereby increasing efficiencies and profits.

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CI is part of a culture where a person or company constantly and independently seeks and acts improvement where it takes its lead from the Japanese word “Kaizen” which means “good change.”

In order for this “good change” to occur, an individual must open up to creative solutions even if nothing is wrong. A long-standing quote says “if it isn’t broken, then don’t fix it.”  In the CI world, it encourages a philosophy that says “if it isn’t broken, then find ways of making it better.”

When we were children or even young adults, we were not bound by failed experiences to create and “try” because everything was new. But as we stumbled, crashed and burned, we take a “been there, done that, and don’t want to go back” attitude.  

Potential opportunities are, then, not recognized where fear, lack of will, ambivalence, and cognitive distortions get in the way. 

To continuously improve ourselves, we must challenge these feelings and step out of our comfort zones.

Four years, I’ve taught martial arts from karate to kickboxing to now Tai Chi. Students from all ages and professions enroll in my classes and even schedule private lessons because they can’t (self) teach themselves despite the free resources afforded to them by the Internet. Years before the web, I was taught the old fashion way where I spent long hours at the dojo (school), repeating movements many times over to perfect my skills and remember what was handed down to me. Had YouTube been available, I would have invested half the time.

Can Anyone Begin a Self CI Program?

The answer is: yes. 

But like a New Year’s resolution, sustaining the process is the challenge, especially, if a person has issues with self-motivation and discipline. A personal or business coach, like a sensei in a dojo, implements tried and true the techniques to help the individual move towards his or her goals.

Though a coach provides the impetus and encouragement, desired results ultimately rest on the individual’s shoulders.

As mentioned above, CI represents a culture of Best Practice and Operational Excellence. Someone must accept risks to reach that coveted destination; and, it begins with a burning desire for change.

How and Where to Start?

A good start to a CI program is to pick up the book I previously mentioned by Dr. Robert Maurer, PhD. It’s a small pocket size book with about 200+ pages that can be read in a day. Or you can YouTube and watch his videos, though reading, I feel, is the way to go. Without giving the house away, Dr. Maurer provides insight on how to plan and implement your own program.

Believe me when I tell you this.  Once you pick up the book, you will not want to put it down.

Do I Need a Coach?

To be honest, I feel that continuous self-improvement can be self-taught effectively.  Video, books and blog posts are abundant; even inexpensive seminars can be invested to reach this individual goal. You just have to put the time in and be diligent.

But then, if you feel you need help, then certain Life and Business coaches can certainly provide the needed boost.

My advice is, like anything else, do not settle on the first choice. Almost all of them provides a free, first consultation. Complete a pre-assessment questionnaire, and then ask questions about the discovery, implementation, and resolution phases; cost and estimated time to reach your goals.

And above all, feel your way through this process and have faith in your intuition. A coaching client relationship is based upon honesty, trust, and integrity; and, if none or part is there, you’ll be disappointed.

Ask the Questions

If you;

·         No longer want to feel stagnant at where you’re at; or,

·         Are tired of your dead-end job; or,

·         Are Frustrated with how you look or feel; or

·         Are Unsure what the heck is going on with your life ,

then it’s time to sit down and plan, do, check, and act change.

Take that small step that can change your life by embracing a personal and daily goal for Continuous Improvement.

And, really, you can start right now.