One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way

by Robert Maurer

Kaizen has two definitions: using very small steps to improve a habit, a process, or product using very small moments to inspire new products and inventions

low-key change helps the human mind circumnavigate the fear that blocks success and creativity.

when fear takes hold, it can prevent creativity, change, and success.

The brain is designed so that any new challenge or opportunity or desire triggers some degree of fear.

Adults, I believe, assume that if they are living correctly, they can control the events around them. When fear does appear, it seems all wrong—so adults prefer to call it by the names for psychiatric disease.

“What shapes our lives are the questions we ask, refuse to ask, or never think to ask.” —Sam Keen

Your brain loves questions and won’t reject them . . . unless the question is so big it triggers fear.

One of the brain’s strengths—the ability to go into a self-protective lockdown in times of danger—here becomes a crippling liability.

What’s one thing I wish to contribute to the world with my book, poem, song, or painting? Whom could I ask for help or inspiration? What is special about my creative process/talents/business team? What type of work would excite and fulfill me?

Fears tend to sort themselves into two major categories: the fear of not being worthy (I don’t deserve it) and the fear of losing control (What if I like him and he leaves me?

spend two minutes a day asking herself: What would my ideal mate be like?

What small, caring act would you like to receive from an ideal partner right now?

But one of the most solid predictors of success in life is whether a person turns to another human for support in times of trouble or fear.