kaizen my new philosophy on life

20 November 2008 134 views 4 Comments

I have been beating myself up lately, upset that I have to work full-time, pissed that my business ventures haven’t taken off fast enough to replace my income, frustrated that I spend most of my time on the computer. Most days I am rushing my kids to bed so I can get some work done. Before you give me the worst mother of year award, I already feel like that.

It’s all for a greater good I tell myself. I’m doing it for them I repeat over and over again in my head. I Sknow that I am missing out on something.

I remind myself that it takes more time than I am allowing be a successful entrepreneur. But still it makes me upset and I often through myself pity parties. Why isn’t anything going the way I want it to?

The feeling comes and goes, like today’s stock market, I have bad days and I have good days. Today, well I’m somewhere in the middle.

That is until I read an article on Smashing Magazine, completely unrelated to what I was feeling but it applies and I’ll explain how.

First I should say if you are a web designer or even have a website you should read the article Strategic Design: 6 Steps for Building Successful Websites

In the article Dmitry Fadeyev mentions a Japanese philosophy called “Kaizen,” which focuses on continuous improvement using small steps. Something my husband has been preaching to me for as long as I can remember. You can’t do everything at once so take small steps. What’s the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

But I’m in a hurry.

So today and going forward I am going to try using the philosophy of “Kaizen” to build my business ventures. After all I operate on the internet. I can always make improvements to my online baby boutique and if I find a spelling error on my blog I can change it in not time. I have no print deadlines I don’t have a brick and mortar store front. I can make changes almost with a snap of my finger.

Obviously I’m just scratching the surface of Kaizen, if you want to learn more check out this business process, check out the Quick and Easy Kaizen.

Here’s how I can see it fitting into my business model.
1. Identify the problem
2. Develop an improvement idea
3. Implement the idea
4. Recognize accomplishments

I have a slew of ideas that I would like to implement. If I think small and update frequently I bet I can get to them all. There never has to be a final version.

4 Comments »

ParentingPink Mommy said:

Awwww! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Really. We all feel like that as moms no matter what we do. I’m a SAHM and although I don’t work, I still feel like there are never enough hours in the day.

As moms, I think we are often “our own worst enemy.” It sounds like you send the right message to yourself “that you are doing it for your kids” and that’s great. Like the stock market, things will get better Hang in there!

# 20 November 2008 at 6:24 pm

Jennae @ Green Your Decor said:

Did you take a look around inside my head before you wrote this post? I could have written these exact words myself, so I truly feel your pain, mama. Really, I do. I repeat the mantra “I’m doing it for all of us” over and over again, trying to convince myself and my husband and daughter that my business can, and will, support us. Really, they have to, since I’m the only one working due to my hubby’s health.

I’m all too familiar with those pity parties. Tempted to throw myself one right now since we were supposed to be moving tomorrow and may not be able to because a furniture buyer flaked on us. But I also realize that wallowing in it will only make me feel worse. So instead, I’m looking for an alternative solution and thanking God that he will make a way where I can see none.

So please, don’t give up. Lean on me and I’ll lean back on you, and somehow we’ll find a way to be successful
Jennae @ Green Your Decors last blog post..Pure, Natural Style: Silver Smoke Organic Bedding Collection

# 20 November 2008 at 7:52 pm

Corine said:

I can totally relate to what you are saying … the ups, downs, frustrations and feeling like the worst mom some days…. I am the same way… and Id bet there are a lot more of us out there that would like to admit too!

I have hope all of us mom’s will eventually find that perfect balance… let me know your secret if you find it before me

Ps- LOVE your site header, and I took a look at your baby botique… The (mostly) bundle of joy onsie was totally made for my daughter ha.

# 20 November 2008 at 8:28 pm

Resplendent Life said:

What a great post! I totally feel the same way. We mompreneurs are a special bunch. But we will definitely get there! Keep your head up and never quit!
Cheers!

Resplendent Lifes last blog post..Mutually Exclusive

# 24 November 2008 at 2:23 pm