Hey everyone! Want to be the person who actually gets stuff done and makes things better? A champion for change? Whether you’re grinding at your 9-to-5 or just handling the chaos of your daily life, it’s all about your mindset. In the world of Kaizen (which is basically a lifestyle of always getting better), there are seven “brain hacks” to help you lead the way and fix problems like a pro.
1. Ditch the "It Can’t Be Done" Vibe
People who practice Kaizen are super positive. Instead of wasting time thinking of all the reasons why a problem is too hard to solve, they focus 100% on the solutions. Don’t let a challenge scare you just because nobody has fixed it yet. If there’s a problem, there’s a way to fix it!
2. Question Everything (Even the Boring Stuff)
It’s really easy to just do a task on “autopilot” because that’s how it’s always been done. But just because something is a routine doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Step back and think about the “why” behind every single step. Nothing is off-limits when you’re looking to improve.
3. Progress is Way Better Than Perfection
Don’t wait for a “perfect” plan or the perfect time to start—they don’t exist! If you wait for everything to be 100% guaranteed, you’ll never move. Instead, make small changes right now. Even if they only fix a tiny part of the problem, those small wins add up to huge success over time.
4. Dig Deep with the 5 Whys
You want to fix the “root cause” (the real reason something broke), not just put a band-aid on it.
Ask “Why?” about five times to get to the bottom of the issue.
Best Practice: Use a Fishbone Diagram to organize your brainstorming! It helps you see how different categories—like People, Machines, or Methods—might be contributing to the problem you’re trying to solve.
5. Get Everyone’s POV
Everyone sees a problem differently. To get the full story, you need to talk to everyone involved:
The people doing the work.
The customers.
The Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who know the technical details. When you listen to everyone’s “POV,” you get a way better idea of how to fix things for the whole team.
6. Simple is the Way to Go
Adding more rules, extra approvals, or fancy machines usually just makes things more complicated and gives more chances for mistakes (not to mention the likelihood of something breaking!). Sometimes, the best way to improve is to subtract. If you’re doing something that doesn’t actually help the customer, just stop doing it. Less is often more.
7. Never Stop Adjusting
Even if you get your job running perfectly, your work isn’t done. The world is always changing! New tech comes out, customers want different things, and competitors try new tricks. A “perfect” plan from last year might be outdated today. Always keep asking: “Is this still the best way to do this right now?”
The Bottom Line: Being a champion for change isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about being the most curious and staying positive!