Never Forget: Small Improvements

[PrettyDecent]

There's a term that was popular in the business world around the 1980's called "Kaizen". Its a Japanese word translated literally to "Good Change", or improvement, and colloquially used to mean: a very small improvement everyday adds up to a very large improvement over time.

I had a realization the other day that I always hit ceilings in my skill development with any skill I've learned.

At some point, I reach a level that is validating to myself and somewhat impressive to others, and then I'll stop looking for little things to improve on. I hit a ceiling and, despite "trying hard", I can't improve.

But I believe I can tell you exactly why that is: I'm putting in the hours, but I'm not looking for the little things to improve on anymore. Partly because at a higher level, the small things don't look like they matter as much, and partly because when you're already able to succeed some of the time, it's the path of least resistance NOT to do deliberate practice (due to the drain of mental and physical energy + higher risk of failing).

But at some point, subtle nuances = large improvements.

It's one of those things in terms of meta-learning strategy that's easy to trip on if you're not aware about it. But when you think about it, it's essentially the exact same learning strategy you used when you first picked up the skill, isn't it?

~Nick

 

[BarryS1]

But at some point, subtle nuances = large improvements.

Good post Nick! I had a similar experience while reading through the Journeyman Guide on the site a few months ago. I read the article about baiting instead of trading information in the beginning of the approach, applied it, and it made a big improvement!

 

[ThrowDown]

This technique is called Kaizen, a Japanese system of continuous development. Personally for me, what I've been working on are fundamentals. Strong fundamentals = panties oozing with ease. simple right?

In double your dating, by DeAngelo I remember reading that you should find a way to improve your physical appearance daily. Whether it is finding a new way to brush your teeth, adding a new splash of cologne, fixing posture, buying a new bracelet, etc etc.

One small subtle change, daily? You become a man that people do not recognize, only blinding them by your raw sex appeal.

 

[Whizzy]

Awesome post! I've found myself hitting these ceilings particularly in working out, programming, and of course with women. One trick that has worked for me many times in the past is to take a small reprieve from whatever the topic is and to approach it later with a new set of eyes, similar to a math problem that one might struggle to complete at first glance.

 

[Rage]

Great post!

Agreed, little improvements can yield exponential results in the semi short-term future

Kind of mind-blowing, but feels inspiring and uplifting to me too.

 

[Motiv]

I learned exactly the same thing in violin practice toward my job auditions. Learn to appreciate every little step in the right direction. I've done the same with conquering obesity, and now I am doing so with building muscle and getting my body fat percentage to around 10% (currently around 15%). Perfection is only a vague ideal, your work is never done, and there is no total failure either—someone out there is still doing way worse than you. The so-called ceiling is really just a point where your current vision ends—so, you have to expand your vision, but that's a mental and imaginative challenge!

The solution: stick to process—use your continued efforts of trail and error as a means to discover the next highway upward. If you want something badly enough, your mind has a way of making it happen, so long as YOU keep the pressure on yourself—positive pressure, mind you—even just one example of success proves you are capable of progress.

M

 

[Edd--19]

Thought-provoking post, I feel where you're coming from.

Many a time I would achieve some semblance of mastery in some art or science or skullduggery and found that after a while I didn't care about it as much any more. I also felt that it's how good I was relative to my peers. When I got good at something I stopped cause I was better than most if not everyone else. However, when someone who is a lot better turns up (actually happened to me) it made me want to improve even more. Adding my 2 cents and spare change into this.