Kaizen
The Japanese Method for Transforming Habits, One Small Step at a Time
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
This beautiful, simple book suggests tiny changes we can make to improve all areas of life, from friendships to a cluttered flat. Unlike a lot of self-improvement guides … reading it made me feel calmer and at the same time motivated to sort out my cupboards and call my auntie; small tweaks maybe, but these things can make the difference between a good day and a bad one.' Marianne Power, author of Help Me!
A gorgeously illustrated introduction to the Japanese method of Kaizen - meaning 'change' 'good' – showing you how to make small, step-by-step changes to transform your life.
From Marie Kondo to Hygge to Ikigai, in recent years, philosophies to help people live better lives have taken the world by storm. Kaizen will change your habits for good.
This beautifully colour illustrated and photographed book offers a way to build good habits and remove bad ones, without being too hard on yourself along the way. The focus is on having patience, shaping solutions for yourself rather than following others and not giving up when things aren’t working. Rather than being critical of your faults, the emphasis is on mindful, positive change. Well-known in the business and sports worlds as a method for mapping incremental goals, Kaizen is also a wonderful tool for slowly improving aspects of your life, without feeling daunted or overwhelmed by the challenge.
Kaizen by Sarah Harvey brings you a personalized and flexible approach to change that you can apply to any area of your life (whether it is health, relationships, money, career, habits, new hobbies or general wellbeing). You can adapt it to suit working style, preferences and personality. Every person’s experience of Kaizen will be different, which is what makes it such an effective tool for positive change.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In her approachable debut, Harvey, who worked as a publishing rights consultant in Japan, uses straightforward, encouraging language and inspiring photographs to explain the Japanese art of kaizen ("good change"), which advocates taking small steps toward achieving big goals. To begin, Harvey writes, one must identify the habit to be changed or goal to be achieved, then inventory priorities, formulate a plan of improvement, decide the time frame to meet the goal, create a daily or monthly to-do list, and keep a progress journal. While her prologue and introduction explore her exposure to Kaizen and the history of the practice in Japan, the bulk of the text serves purely as a guide for readers. If one encounters stumbling blocks, Harvey suggests adjusting targets to create more achievable goals and seeking support from family and friends. True change can take days, months, or years, she notes, and the process should be allowed to unfold without discouragement. Harvey also provides simple but practical steps visiting a museum for a cultural fix and organizing trips, for example to encourage new ways of thinking. Self-help enthusiasts interested in Japanese philosophies will find Harvey's practical advice constructive, positive, and suitable for many of life's situations.
