I had a chat with a colleague today that reminded me of an experience with a former boss. This was years ago when I was working on some documents and wanted everything to be perfect before we launched. Every time we were ready to deploy, I’d find another way to tweak the documents and make them better. One day, my boss came over and said, “Guy, by the time you are done with these documents, the opportunity would have been lost.”
That hit me hard because it was so true.
Sometimes, we get so hung up on making things perfect that we miss out on actually moving forward. It took me a while, but gradually, I came to accept the fact that perfection can be the enemy of progress.
Strange stuff.
The Illusion of Perfection
Let’s be real: nothing in this world is perfect.
Perfection is an elusive goal that can often lead to frustration and disappointment. Striving for perfection can cause us to overlook the beauty and value of what is right in front of us. Whether it’s relationships, jobs, companies, or even our personal life, we won’t always have it perfect.
And you know what? That’s totally okay.
Now, this doesn’t mean we should settle for mediocrity. It means we should focus on making progress instead of getting stuck in the pursuit of flawless results. By doing so, we can make steady, meaningful improvements without getting overwhelmed by impossible standards.
Do you know that the reason so many people have not launched their next big project is because they are waiting for the perfect moment? There will never be a perfect moment other than now.
The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is now.
Unknown
The Power of Kaizen
This is where the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen comes in.
Kaizen means “change for the better” and is all about continuous improvement. It’s a philosophy that focuses on making small, incremental improvements over time, which collectively lead to significant enhancements in efficiency, productivity, and quality.
The concept of Kaizen is widely used in business, particularly in manufacturing and management, but it can be applied to any area of life where continuous improvement is desired.
For example, instead of aiming for the lofty goal of reading a book in a day, one might start by reading a few pages every day. Over time, this practice can lead to reading multiple books a year.
This philosophy is such an effective way of making incremental progress. By focusing on small, consistent changes, Kaizen can lead to significant and lasting improvements in various aspects of life and work.
This can be viewed from the perspective of a fruit plant. If you plant a seed today, you don’t expect it to sprout and produce fruit immediately. You would rather nurture the plant patiently, watch it grow, and protect it from pests until it reaches the point of producing fruit.
Applying Kaizen to Everyday Life
So, how do we bring Kaizen into our daily routines? How can we leverage this simple principle to achieve significant improvements in our lives? Here are a few simple tips:
Set small goals. Do not try to make big changes at once. Sometimes, this can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on manageable improvements rather than trying to change everything at once. For example, if you want to improve your fitness, start with a short daily walk instead of a marathon. Or if you are trying to improve your finances, it is better to start by taking little steps, such as increasing the amount you save each month.
Celebrate small wins. Instead of waiting for the big wins, take time to appreciate your progress, no matter how minor it seems. This attitude will help you maintain focus and build momentum. If you have started exercising a few minutes every day or were able to save some money at the end of the month, these are victories worth celebrating.
Learn from your mistakes. Treat mistakes as valuable lessons rather than failures. Each mistake is an opportunity to improve. If you miss a workout or eat something unhealthy, use it as a learning experience to do better next time. Don’t beat yourself up because of this.
Seek feedback. Get feedback from others to gain new perspectives and ideas. Whether it’s feedback from a colleague on a project or advice from a friend about a personal goal, input from others can be incredibly helpful.
Be patient. Understand that meaningful change takes time. Patience and persistence are key to long-term growth. Don’t be overwhelmed by others’ success. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are our best selves. Be patient with yourself.
Conclusion
Let me end with this—your future is waiting for you. You can be and have more than what you have now. However, you can bring this to pass by focusing on incremental developments. Don’t be anxious or apprehensive. Start today, and you will be surprised at how soon you will get there.
