Do you have personal kaizen for 2019?

by | Jan 25, 2016 | Emotional Intelligence, Relationships (Self and Others), Time Management

Do you have personal kaizen for 2019?

As many of you know, I am not a fan of New Year resolutions but I am a big supporter of personal kaizen. The kaizen principle is an ancient Japanese philosophy. Today, it is used it to improve and streamline corporate processes as well as to develop on a personal level. ‘Kai’ roughly translated is ‘change’ (the action to correct) and ‘Zen’ is ‘good’ (for the better). So, kaizen is all about improving or changing for the better. And the idea behind this concept is to make your improvements small, easy and manageable so you’ll stick with them. The goal of personal kaizen is to create lasting change, to obtain success, peace, harmony and balance in your life. It is also about embracing change instead of fearing it. Let’s ensure that 2019 is filled with continuous improvement and take Key Steps together to...

Develop ‘Person Kaizen’

  1. Take the first easy step. Did you know that the most efficient way to learn a language (and many other skills we aspire to have), is not by dedicating 2 hours a week to it but by giving just 20 minutes per day. Core terms linked with kaizen are ‘continuous, daily, steady, willingness to change, gradual, naturally, long-term view, commitment’. This reminds me of the old philosophical question I often ask when I am training; it goes something like this… “What is the best way to eat an entire elephant?” And the answer is very simple, “just take one bite at a time.” Make up your mind today to take just one bite, and then the next and the next in order to reach your destination or aquire new behaviours.
  2. Change your mind. I think the reason why kaizen works so well is because these bite size steps change the way you think even more than your behaviour. This improved mind-set is crucial because how we think influences EVERY aspect of our life. Your thoughts are the starting point of your actions. Positive thinkers are known to be ‘luckier’ than pessimists. They have the ability to see something positive whenever bad things happen to them. They are more open to new opportunities. They are, so to speak, able to create their own luck. So can you! Change your mind today and…

“be the difference that makes the difference”

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Namaste,

 

NOTE: The information in my blog may be freely shared and re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line: This was written by Dr Sharon King Gabrielides, and originally appeared in her free bi-weekly  ‘Key Steps Food for Thought Blog’ available on the Key Steps website.

Dr Sharon King Gabrielides, EQ Expert, Founder and CEO

Sharon is a dynamic facilitator, speaker and executive coach with over 25 years’ experience in leadership development and organisational transformation. Her PhD thesis contributed a framework for holistic and sustainable leadership development that was published by Rutgers University in the USA. She is faculty of numerous business schools and highly sought-after by leading corporates because she works hand-in-hand with them to create sustainable results and long-term success. In 2020, Sharon was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame, which is a lifetime achievement award, recognising excellence and her contribution to the field.

Sharon is one of only three women in South Africa to hold the title of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) – the Oscar of the speaking industry. She is also a COMENSA Master Practitioner (CMP), a qualified Modern Classroom Certified Trainer (MCCT™) and an accredited Global Virtual Speaker. Sharon is also a registered Education, Training and Development Practitioner (ETDP), holds an Honours degree in Psychology and practices as an NLP master practitioner.

Most important to Sharon is that she has become known for her genuinely caring manner, practical and transformational approach, and for providing valuable tools and that allow people to take Key Steps to really… ‘be the difference that makes the difference.’