by Asim Jalis
Here is a continuation of yesterday's thoughts on actions and
consequences, which is a really a conversation about cause and
effect.
1. Yesterday I read a book on using small steps to make big
improvements ("One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen
Way" by Robert Maurer), which discussed how Japanese companies
use small improvements to achieve their goals. The author applies
the same approach to help people lose weight and achieve other
goals. The book provides almost no new insights, except for the
connection of small steps with Japanese manufacturing.
2. Even though we have covered this ground before it was a good
refresher. Small steps work because of two principles: (a) Lower
The Bar, and (b) Repetitively Leverage Past Action.
3. The LTB connection is obvious. Small steps are easy to
accomplish. They are non-threatening. They don't disrupt other
commitments.
4. The second principle is related to the idea that the System
Has No Memory. Except it is the opposite of this. In reality the
system has faint memory.
5. Small steps work if applied repeatedly over a long period of
time. Each small action creates a kind of resonance, with all
instances of that action in the past. It builds on it.
6. If you put two mirrors in front of each other you can see a
kind of infinite reflection of yourself in them. Small steps are
like this. Each small step represents a small foot soldier in an
infinite army standing behind him.
7. Recurring small steps can create consequences that seem
disproportionately big.
