One Small Step Can Change Your Life Summary

Summary of One Small Step Can Change Your Life Book by Robert Maurer, Ph.D.

Name: One Small Step Can Change Your Life
Rating: 4.5 (2277 reviews)
Author: Robert Maurer, Ph.D.

4.5 . 2277 reviews

Short summary

There've probably been times when you were so excited about the new year and couldn't wait to write down your goals. But, as that year is almost over, you realize that you performed poorly in achieving most of them. And why is that? Simple! Extreme changes are difficult to stick with. In One Small Step Can Change Your Life, Robert Maurer introduces kaizen, a concept captured in the famous saying “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” and shows how you can take little steps to change your life and achieve challenging goals. In this summary, you'll learn how kaizen helps in a range of real-life situations, from stopping habits, like smoking or overeating, to empowering your employees in ways that will inspire them. Robert Maurer, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and founder of a consulting firm called the Science of Excellence. He also travels the world teaching the kaizen way. “Big things occur when you improve a little each day.” ~ Robert Maurer

12 min

7 key points

6 insights

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Table of content

Summary of One Small Step Can Change Your Life
About the author
What is One Small Step Can Change Your Life about?
Who should read One Small Step Can Change Your Life
Topics in One Small Step Can Change Your Life

first key point

Change is not as difficult as it seems

Listen the first key point

00:00

Change is constant. Everyone knows that. But change itself is not easy because it means adopting newer ways of thinking and doing things. But many people aren't ready for that.

Change is hard because people wear themselves out. And that’s the second surprise about change: What looks like laziness is often exhaustion. ~ Chip Heath

Here's a common proof we can all identify with: everyone sets New Year's resolutions. But how many people do you think pull through with them?

Not many.

According to Robert Maurer, the average American makes the same New Year's resolutions for ten years without changing; the few who succeed only do so after breaking five or six promises.

New year's resolutions have become an annual ritual of failure, but you can change that by creating little steps for achieving each goal you set. Don't just set goals without the “how.”

The same thing applies to organizations. At the start of each year, companies set goals for different departments, and many of these departments end up underperforming. But the kaizen way can change this on both the personal and corporate levels.

Kaizen is all about the process of using small steps for continual improvement. It describes the ability to use minimal effort to improve a habit, a process, or a product. The first known application of this philosophy was during the Great Depression in America (though not known as “kaizen” then).

The Kaizen philosophy was introduced in Japan after the Second World War when General Douglas MacArthur's occupation forces rebuilt the destroyed country, taking it one step at a time.

Kaizen is an effective and easy way to achieve a specific goal. The personal application of kaizen involves six different strategies, which include:

• Using small questions to dispel fear.
• Developing new skills and habits by thinking small thoughts.
• Taking small actions toward desired goals.
• Solving minor problems amid a crisis.
• Encouraging yourself by celebrating milestones on your way to desired outcomes.
• Staying mindful so you can experience crucial moments that others don't get to see.

We'll talk about these six strategies in subsequent chapters.

Contrary to popular opinion, change doesn't have to be painful and should not be used to force anyone into meaningful action. This summary teaches you how to effectively clear the roadblocks that keep individuals and workgroups from achieving their desired results. You'll learn how to leverage your brain’s design to create change effortlessly.

second key point

The cortex is the part of the brain that supports the kaizen technique by deactivating fear

Change can be scary, which is why many attempts to reach goals through revolutionary means often fail.

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third key point

Asking small questions is a kaizen method that elevates your creativity

fourth key point

The kaizen method involves imagining small thoughts toward your goal and taking necessary actions

fifth key point

Carrying out small actions following the kaizen method encourages success

sixth key point

Identify and remove minor hindrances on your path to success

seventh key point

Conclusion

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What is One Small Step Can Change Your Life about?

In this insightful book, a renowned psychologist introduces the powerful concept of Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy that emphasizes the importance of taking small, incremental steps towards achieving personal and professional goals. With practical examples and scientific evidence, the author demonstrates how implementing Kaizen can lead to lasting positive changes, helping readers overcome fear, resistance, and self-doubt to create a life of continuous improvement and success.

Who should read One Small Step Can Change Your Life

Individuals seeking personal growth and self-improvement through small steps.
Professionals looking to enhance their productivity and achieve long-term success.
Anyone interested in adopting a practical and sustainable approach to change.

Topics in One Small Step Can Change Your Life

Self-Help Personal Development Psychology Motivational Change Management Goal Setting Habits Resilience Success Self-Discovery Self-Care Self-Esteem Stress Management Confidence Mental Toughness

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