Kaizen
Kaizen
No Michi – The Path of Improvement
Kaizen
no Michi basically translates as the path of improvement.
The kanji for “Kaizen” translates as reform / virtue, or
to create change for higher virtue. The process of constant
and never ending improvement is the foundation for black
belt excellence in all areas of ones life. The process is
fairly simple to set up, but takes discipline and planning
to make it become a reality.
By
the time a person reaches the level of black belt, they
have a good understanding of all the basics of that system
and begin the lifetime process of trying to perfect these
basics. Understanding that there are a lot of methods for
achieving any goal but that there is probably only one that
is the very best action possible. Always identifying and
implementing the best solution is the key to staying on
the correct path in the martial arts. The effort of trying
to develop the perfect solution in any situation is the
foundation of kaizen, or constant and never ending improvement.
The
first step is to identify what is truly important in your
life and then create a written plan of action on how these
important goals will be accomplished. As long as you constantly
work on these prioritized goals and they are congruent with
your personal values, you will eventually reach these goals.
Like a journey of a thousand miles beginning with a single
step, huge accomplishments can only be achieved one step
at a time.
In
order to generate quantum leaps towards the areas you are
trying to improve in, it is necessary to identify every
action that you are currently doing and then to prioritize
them based on their level of importance and which ones create
the most significant levels of improvement. For example,
when identifying how to improve your kata, you may identify
speed, power, intensity, balance and focus. Focusing on
one element at a time will allow you to progress quickly.
The final step in the process of improving in area of your
life is to concentrate on those tasks that produce the best
results, and begin handing off or even deleting those tasks
that do not help you reach your goals.
The
process of eliminating all wasteful actions and behaviors
is also a key factor in kaizen. Some actions tend to bring
about tremendous improvements, such as setting aside to
30 minutes to an hour a day in a quiet place reading in
your specific field of interest. Another method is to use
you time driving as learning time by listening to tapes
that help educate or motivate you in a variety of subjects.
Simply following these two tactics can accelerate you to
the top 10% in your chosen field in as little as two – three
years. Elimination wasteful actions or behaviors are equally
important in kaizen. In the martial arts, many times it
is not learning more and more material, but in eliminating
the little things that telegraph your technique or slow
down the action itself. Like a sculptor that takes a rock
and creates a masterpiece, it is all about chipping away
all those unnecessary things that are not a part of the
picture you hold in your mind as the true goal.
In
combat, these principles are identical. The strategy of
planning on the most effective tactics with minimum risks
is the optimum battle plan. Again it is imperative to keep
the tactics simple, concentrating on the sure thing, while
eliminating any tactics that you are not sure of. Basic
movements are constantly improved by eliminating unnecessary
or wasteful actions while trying to improve those actions
that add power, speed and accuracy. This process of constantly
improving the basics necessary for you to reach your goals
is the key to kaizen, and is one of the classic principles
of success in classical martial arts, and all areas of your
life.
