Reddit reviews One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way

hi. i am also very high in openess and low in industriousness. what helped me, was to split my efforts in smaller tasks. instead of wanting to write 1500 words a day, i tried to write 5 minutes a day. and if i am in the mood to write more after these 5 minutes, i write more. now you could think 5 minutes are nothing. but if you sit in front of a paper and dont allow yourself for 5 minutes to do anything than write, after the first days you will write. and even if not, you finished your task (sitting 5 minutes down to do arts). which means, you will feel productive, even if you didnt do anything. and after some time, you will sit down and enjoy it. this way is called kaizen and explained in this book. its the only self-help-technique which jumpstarted me out of a writing block.
https://www.amazon.com/Small-Step-Change-Your-Life/dp/076118032X/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4N3VG4A0TB550865RNAQ

Kaizen.

This is the principle of continual improvement, no matter how small.

Resource: Link

Book rec: Link

This process helps you learn to accomplish your goals by shrinking the steps down to be manageable enough to form a habit of improvement.

For instance, lets say you have a fitness goal to be able run 5 miles.
Most plans have you doing a set number of sprints, distance runs and timed runs set at a 2 - 3 month plan.

Kaizen helps you breakdown the major challenges into small and accomplishable steps.
Running a half mile too much?
What about a block?
How about walking to the corner and back?
Maybe just think about running?

Once you set the amount you are comfortable with, then it’s about supporting ANY effort you make towards that goal while dismissing negative thoughts by allowing forgiveness and reassurance that tomorrow brings a new day to continue or start again.

Once you’ve established a habit, the process starts again by asking improve your efforts on the goal by just 1%.
No more, no less.
Just 1%.

Once that’s a habit, just increase it again by 1%.
Not to mean you are now doing 2% of your goal, but even just 1% more than the previous effort is the focus of the philosophy.

With enough time of continuous small improvements you will make it to your goal, which is more important than when you make it to your goal.

Life is hard and pressure can be overwhelming to have certain accomplishments by a certain age or time, but the important thing is to work at a pace that is manageable and rewarding to you, not as a punishment.

Setting goals or paces too hard end up as their own obstacles that can seem daunting and punishing, which is not what healthy growth is about and can end up throwing you off from even attempting your goal.

Hopefully this is helpful for you.

> The Game - Neil Straus

Not sure if you know this but Neil Straus did another AMA a few months back in wake of his new book. And you can search the internet for more recent interviews with him. The guy has changed a lot and even said he was kinda embarrassed about that part of his life (but in a good way because it showed he was growing)

Anyway, my current recommendation is One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way. It’s about taking small, consistent actions towards life changes you want to make.

I’m currently reading Brain Rules which explains current research findings on the brain and how we can use these findings for our benefit. It is a very easy read.

(In case it wasn’t obvious, I’m currently on a brain & neuroscience binge)

One book I always seem to go back to is Be Excellent at Anything. OK, the title may sound click-baity but the essential argument is that instead of managing time we need to be managing our energy. The book introduces a model of 4 categories of energy (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) and pulls from scientific research to discuss ways to improve our energy in each category. Having more energy equates to better performance (i.e. “becoming excellent”).

Honourable mention: The Power of Habit. I only read the first one-third of the book because that’s the part that explains the science behind habit formation. The rest of the book is dedicated to showing how it happens in an organization and society. In fact, if all you want is that first third then go to the resources on the book’s official website and go through everything there (especially the flowchart PDFs).

"One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way"

This costs only $6. Seriously. It's worth the price of two cups of coffee.

One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way

Best book I’ve ever read about building discipline and habits Is this book. I’ve used it to change some major bad habits and build some good ones:


One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way https://www.amazon.com/dp/076118032X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vPJKDbY7K13E1

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! It means a lot.

I will definitely check that book out. I've been really trying to get into the whole mini-habit idea. There is another book I've been really enjoying called One Small Step Can Change Your Life that is based on that idea. Just starting with tiny goals that nobody has an excuse not to complete and then setting another goal and always having forward movement.

I do like the idea of having a to-do list. That is not something I've really implemented before. I usually track everything in my head, but I can see how getting it out of my head and onto paper would be beneficial.

I have attempted journaling, although it usually devolves into a page of negativity and depression. It is hard to keep a positive outlook. Perhaps I will instead write only what my goals are for the day and how I plan on achieving them.

Thank you again for your response. I think a major help is also knowing I'm not alone!