Pandemic. Distancing. Curfew. I figured the current state of being homebound would be conducive to long conversations with friends and family. I decided to write this article after one of those dialogues where improvement hovered in our words and minds.
I quickly realized how easily, and with copious excuses, we dismiss the efforts toward small progress in the hope that a whopping breakthrough falls from the sky. The lure of grand innovations blended with a desire to “do it right” — never mind the out-of-reach success stories told by the media — can keep us bogged down in the details of minor tasks, sabotaging the execution.
I am not opposed to awe-inspiring advancements; on the contrary, I would seize the opportunity if I were in a position to do so. But how often do breakthrough ideas strike?
If we were to think about improvements as a stairway (an idea I first encountered reading The Toyota Kaizen Continuum by John Steward) where every improvement is a step-up, then multiple little improvements bring us closer to our goal. Do not get me wrong: If in a middle of climbing you encounter an opportunity that will raise you a few steps up, take it! But do not just sit around waiting for that opportunity.
What motivates me to engage in small improvements?
Time does not discriminate. Education is a good example of this. You may or may not choose to commit to earning a bachelor’s degree. But four years will inevitably pass whether you have a degree and increased job prospects, or not.
Practice makes perfect. The brain, like the body, needs a workout; it makes us agile. Improvements require recognizing opportunities, seeing the big picture, and solving problems creatively. Through the continuous practicing of these skills, we are better positioned to seize the chances that knock on our door. No two sets of circumstances are the same, the best way to ensure success is by exercising these skills in various environments.
Small commitments bring big rewards. Smaller, less demanding improvements are easier to commit to as they consume less time. They are also easier to carry out because they sidestep the grand stage of failure that often leads to procrastination. Little changes do not have to be inappreciable; they can have a significant impact. Think about learning a foreign language: Memorizing only a few words a day can notably impact your ability to understand and communicate in that tongue.
I would like to invite you to reflect on the small changes you made in the past that had positively affected your life, career, and/or education. Then, use your imagination in how you could engage in improvements that would make things better now.