187. One Small Step, The Kaizen Way: Dr. Robert Maurer
Jul 18, 2019
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In this podcast, Dr. Robert Maurer discusses the concept of Kaizen and how making small steps can lead to big changes. He shares insights on why starting with small habits is more effective than setting large goals. The podcast explores the power of small steps in various areas of life, including relationships and creative progress. It also discusses the use of Kaizen in language learning and breaking tasks down. The episode concludes with a discussion on being present in conversations and a call to support the show.
Breaking down goals into small steps bypasses fear and triggers action.
Embrace small steps that require zero willpower or discipline to build habits.
Focus on frustrations, ask questions, and practice mind sculpture to stimulate creativity.
Deep dives
The Power of Kaizen: Making Big Changes with Small Steps
Dr. Robert Maurer discusses the concept of Kaizen, which involves making large changes through the use of small steps. He explains that Kaizen originated as an approach used by Americans during World War II to improve the quality of military equipment. The Japanese later adopted Kaizen and made it a central part of their manufacturing process. Dr. Maurer highlights that Kaizen can be applied to various aspects of life, including health, relationships, and creative pursuits. He shares examples of how small steps can lead to significant results, such as exercising for just one minute a day or flossing one tooth at a time. Additionally, he discusses the role of the brain in creating habits and the importance of breaking tasks down into manageable chunks. Lastly, Dr. Maurer introduces the concept of mind sculpture, where visualizing an action can help improve performance in various areas of life.
Overcoming Fear and Resistance with Small Steps
Dr. Robert Maurer explores how Kaizen can help individuals overcome fear and resistance. He explains that setting large goals often triggers fear in the brain, leading to inaction. By breaking down goals into small, manageable steps, the brain can bypass fear and take action. Dr. Maurer emphasizes that the key to success with Kaizen is to start with steps that are so small and easy that they require zero willpower or discipline. He provides examples, such as flossing one tooth or exercising for just one minute, to demonstrate the effect of small steps in building habits. Dr. Maurer also discusses the role of self-critical thoughts and cultural conditioning in resisting small steps, and encourages listeners to be compassionate with themselves and embrace the power of incremental progress.
Applying Kaizen to Creative Pursuits
Dr. Robert Maurer discusses how Kaizen can be applied to creative pursuits. He suggests that individuals who feel stuck in their creative endeavors can benefit from focusing on their frustrations and finding small solutions. Dr. Maurer recommends asking questions and posing small challenges to the brain to stimulate creativity and problem-solving. He shares examples of breakthrough innovations that emerged from small moments of frustration or observation. Dr. Maurer also highlights the power of visualization through mind sculpture, where individuals can practice and improve their skills without physically engaging in the activity. He encourages embracing each moment and paying attention to small details that can lead to creative breakthroughs.
The Role of Small Steps in Building Habits
Dr. Robert Maurer explains how small steps can help build habits. He emphasizes the importance of repetitive actions and developing positive routines. Dr. Maurer shares techniques such as prioritizing small steps and starting with manageable goals to create positive momentum. He discusses the benefits of repetition in training the brain and creating automatic habits. Dr. Maurer also highlights the value of rewards and positive reinforcement in reinforcing new behaviors. He suggests breaking down tasks into small increments and gradually increasing the difficulty over time to establish long-term habits.
Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence with Kaizen
Dr. Robert Maurer delves into the connection between Kaizen and fear, and how small steps can help overcome fear and build confidence. He explains that fear often arises when faced with big goals or significant changes. By breaking down these goals into small steps, individuals can bypass fear and gradually build confidence. Dr. Maurer emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and surrendering to the process of small steps. He points out that the brain is a creature of habit, and by repeatedly taking small actions, the brain will adapt and create new habits. Dr. Maurer also discusses the role of self-criticism and societal conditioning in resisting small steps, and how Kaizen can counteract these obstacles.
Dr. Robert Maurer (@Dr_RobertMaurer) is author of One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way. He’s also Director of Behavioral Sciences for the Family Practice Residency Program at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center and a faculty member with the UCLA School of Medicine. In One Small Step, Dr. Maurer shows you how to make really big changes with ridiculously small steps.
I first discovered One Small Step on the Amazon page for my own book, The Heart to Start. Amazon kept showing me that people who bought my book were also buying Robert’s book. After it had been sitting there for week after week, I thought to myself, I’ve gotta see what this is about.
You’ve heard me talk about taking small steps on this podcast, including my episode on how to build good habits with B.J. Fogg. It turns out there’s a name for this practice. The Japanese call it Kaizen.
In this conversation, you’ll learn about:
How do large goals put us into fear mode? Learn about the neuroscience of why we don’t take actions.
How can you start doing anything with small steps? You can start an exercise habit simply by standing on a treadmill, or a flossing habit while flossing only one tooth.
How did Dr. Maurer himself write his book by committing to only ninety seconds per day of writing?
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