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"Kaizen" is a rather poetic Japanese word with many English translations. At its simplest, kaizen means "continuous improvement". Kaizen principles are well-known in the management and manufacturing realms and are considered one of the key reasons behind Toyota Corporation's great success. In Japan, kaizen is approached as a holistic life strategy.

"Kai" means "ongoing", "continuous", and "ocean", while "Zen" translates as "wisdom", "good", and "improvement".

Our working definition of 'kaizen' is

"Great Success Achieved by Continuous, Positive Change"

Kaizen principles most naturally extend to our way of living life; our 'lifestyle'. Its been found to be true again and again that the most consistently reliable success strategy for making sustainable lifestyle change is to take a long series of micro-steps.

Forget drastic changes and all the drama and deprivation that go with it. Micro-steps are much more powerful in creating sustainable change. In order to work most effectively, the steps should be designed to be organic and easy - virtually fail-proof. Building upon each small success naturally builds enthusiasm, confidence and positive momentum. Its time to change the game ... (- to one we can actually win).

Believe it - There is certain magic that occurs when we finally stop punishing ourselves and begin a more positive relationship with our body and our spirit. This does not negate or refute the power of a well-placed jolt into action or change. However, we do need to make a distinction for ourselves between 'romancing a jolt' and becoming self-punitive.