Kaizen

When a super-speed reader doesn't have a car for a month due to a predatory car insurance industry, you can get a LOT of reading done!!			
			
I received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  			
			
From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸.			
			
Experience the magic of kaizen—the Japanese way to create lasting change—in this gorgeously photographed guide
 
Lifestyle changes can be overwhelming: It’s hard to take on major goals without falling prey to self-doubt. But with kaizen, big goals become small, approachable steps. This Japanese method first made waves in the business world by launching Toyota to success; it also adds magic to Marie Kondo’s life-changing method of tidying up. As Kondo puts it: “You can take the first small step toward your dream today, and keep taking small steps to grow your passions.”

Now, Sarah Harvey unlocks kaizen’s amazing potential to enhance our everyday lives. Even the boldest intention (I should run a marathon someday) begins with the simplest step (Today, I’ll research local running groups). Kaizen is the key to improving our health, work, finances, relationships, habits, and—yes—homes!

Change is heard yard by yard - inch by inch, it's a cinch! Kaizen is applicable to so many aspects of life: weight loss, training for a marathon, quitting bad habits and this book is a great way to see it and tackle it. MIss Harvey explains it easily and clearly via lots of photographs and explaining how she journals to help stop procrastination from happening. (I am not a journaler - it makes me nuts - but maybe her suggested method bullet style of journalling will work for me ... but then again, I am also not a procrastinator!)    

One weird comment - I love this book and want to recommend it to so many people ... but it does not come out for FIFTEEN months from the time I write this review.  (and it is being archived on NetGalley in January of 2020 - 11 months before its publication.) It is going to be "out of sight out of mind" by the time the book comes out for my patrons. That is a HARD SELL!!  

A great book to give people for Christmas 2020 to work on their NY resolutions for 2021 ... now THAT is procrastination defined. 

 As always, I try to find a reason to not rate with stars as I love emojis (outside of their incessant use by "Social Influencer Millennials" on Instagram and Twitter) so let's give it some Japanese yumminess - 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣

I chose to pick up this book because I basically love everything about Japan - the good, the bad and the ugly. So why not this book too as well?

I haven't heard anything about Kaizen before I came across this book. And I am so glad I did pick up this book because of this unusual word as its title!

This book is regarding how the Kaizen way of life has changed the author's life in general and how it is applicable to our lives as well.

 I just want to quote, 'Kaizen is a noun in Japanese and is used to mean improvement, whether that is big or small, one-time or continuous.'

In this book, it is well explained about how Kaizen came along (the history) and I loved reading about it. It's a story of its own and I thoroughly enjoyed reading that part. 

Then there comes the sections of Kaizen for personal development, sport, the differences in the culture of Japan and the West.
I loved how the author explained the purpose of Kaizen and how it's useful now in knowing and understanding our habits. 
The book showcases practical tips on how to start and adopt the system; regarding heath and how to improve it using such a system regarding exercises, sleep, diet, morning routine and some other basic things that are incorporated in our daily lives. 
I basically enjoyed reading the social media and self-esteem part in this book. It gave me wonderful insights on such topics in a brief manner. 
I got starry eyed as I continued reading about how to apply Kaizen to work. It's so detailed yet practical and so calming to read. The amazing pictures do help a lot in reading such a book. As it's a nonfiction, self-help kind of read, the pace of the book is maintained so well with the right division of pictures and actual practical tips.
Another favourite part is the one where the book talks about freelancers. We all need to follow these simple tips. (And I for one have already started practising!) Because this is not just mere reading and nodding my head. Once I opened up this book, it was difficult for me to put it down as I need every page of this book to improve my life (yes, in damn simple, practical ways!). Because who am I kidding anyway?! 
Then towards the later half of the book comes the part of Kaizen in studying, managing money, home, relationships, and the best part as applying Kaizen in habits and challenges.

I really love this book and I am going to keep it at my bedside table so that I can pick it up anytime soon. 
Amazing book indeed.

Thank you #NetGalley for providing me with a copy of #Kaizen

Sarah Harvey has written a quick and easy book on Kaizen. This is great for beginners on this subject and it is such a interesting subject.

I need help in the art of getting it done. I have big plans, start off strong then drift away before hitting that finish line. I've read many books, tried many methods some worked none kept me motivated very long. 
This book is different from the others. It is  the Japanese Method of getting it done. Taking small steps, easily achievable ones, 1% changes, set goals, short term to long term, move towards them. You just keep adjusting the little steps towards your goals. Keep a journal, write it down, see your steps moving you forward. This sounds like many other motivational books but the way it feels is much different. These miniscule steps don't cause stress or excessive commitment, just a minimum of effort  There is empathy in this guide, a kindness and gentleness not found in many motivational programs. I felt like I can do this, it is attainable.
The book goes into the history of this technique and some Japanese culture history.  It got well known from Toyota using it with success , it can also be used average people in all areas of our lives, relationships,  business, school, diet, exercise, etc.. I started making little bitty changes in a few areas of my life and didn’t even set out too. It sticks in a good way. Excellent clearly written, fun little self help read.