This quick 224-page read focuses on one big and valuable idea: Kaizen, which is the Japanese word coined for constant improvement.
More specifically, we are talking about incremental improvement - small steps, not big leaps.
The author, Robert Maurer, begins by making the case that change does not have to be hard. It can be easy, requiring little time, self-control or discipline - if you take the Kaizen approach.
Throughout the book, you are given proof. There are examples from business, fittingly so, as the Kaizen concept was originally introduced as a management principle. But this concept is so universal it applies to every life endeavor, and there are plenty of examples specific to health, weight loss and fitness as well.
At first you might think that applying this philosophy simply means taking small action steps. However, Maurer challenges the reader by going deeper and explaining that there are five other ways to apply kaizen. A chapter is devoted to each of these strategies:
1. Taking small actions.
2. Asking small questions.
3. Thinking small thoughts.
4. Solving small problems.
5. Bestowing small rewards (to yourself or others).
6. Recognizing small but crucial moments others ignore.
All of these ideas may seem over-simplistic and counterintuitive on the surface, but they make perfect sense when they're explained and put into context.
The biggest reason they work is by overcoming fear and the subsequent inaction that fear causes. Maurer explains:
"All changes are scary, even positive ones. Attempts to reach goals through radical or revolutionary means often fail because they heighten fear. But the small steps of kaizen disarm the brain's fear response, stimulating rational thought and creative play."
He argues taking action steps or making changes so small that they initially appear too easy or even ridiculous is not only valuable, it’s the most important and most effective way to make progress.
He says going small can work better than attempting big, sweeping changes and the reason is because looking at a teensy-tiny step or improvement is not intimidating, and therefore, it overcomes our hard-wired tendency to avoid change and discomfort. He expands on this by giving a great summary of how the brain works and how the human brain evolved to make us fearful of change. Once you understand it, the logic behind taking small steps becomes clearer than ever.
I would recommend this book especially if you fall into one of these groups:
1. You've been so overwhelmed at the magnitude of a task in front of you, you never even got started.
2. You attempted a sweeping overhaul of your whole lifestyle all at once, and you got so overwhelmed you couldn't keep it up.
3. You became successful making big changes and taking big steps all at once, but the results didn't last - eventually you relapsed.
4. You constantly battle fear and stress when looking at the needed changes that face you.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2018
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Top reviews from other countries
MT
Useful little book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2020Verified Purchase
MaxC
Give it a go
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2016Verified Purchase
joe's 1
take the small step of buying and reading this book - and lots of other stuff will fall into place
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2016Verified Purchase
Harry
Great small book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2018Verified Purchase
Mr. Jonathan Holmes
Changes the way you look about your life!!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2016Verified Purchase
