Lean Approach for Life
Learnings from Japanese Martial Arts to Remove the Wastes in our Lives
Lean approach is a technique for reducing waste while increasing value in any system.
While this approach is commonly used in large organizations, manufacturing plants, and similar professional setups to optimize the processes, it can also be used to improve our lives.
What are the leading detractors of the Lean Approach?
Muda (Wastefulness), Mura (Imbalance), and Muri(Overburden) are three types of wasteful actions that negatively impact the flow state and the lean goals.
These are Japanese terms that have been used in martial arts for a long time. Later these terms became popular when Taiichi Ohno developed a management philosophy for improving automobiles production, which was high in demand after World War II.
In martial arts, any excess movement in combat is a waste since it tires the player and leaves them open for an attack.
Similarly, any uneven or unnatural movement or thought, or an unnatural stance, will hinder the player’s actions.
Finally, trying to do too much simultaneously or using techniques you have not yet mastered is overburdening.
How can we identify these 3Ms in our lives and eliminate them for continuous improvement?
Muda — Wastes could occur in our lives primarily due to one of the following :
- Unutilized Talent — waste due to underutilization of our abilities, skills, and knowledge.
Each of us is unique; we all have innate talents that allow us to shine in this world.
But, for unknown reasons, we waste the majority of our days not making the best use of our abilities. Instead, we wait for the perfect day to reveal ourselves to the world.
How can we best utilize our talents?
Don’t feel anxious about other people’s opinions or criticism; the more you perform, the best you will become at your craft.
Don’t waste your time and energy imagining how things will turn out. The willingness to put forth the effort and take action is the first step toward success.
- Always being in Motion — Being constantly busy does not indicate that we are overly productive; instead, it demonstrates that we are disorganized; unnecessary motion depletes our energy.
All of us would have a schedule similar to this -
Getting up in the morning, completing the routines, doing a daytime job, doing a side hustle, returning tiredly, binge-watching, etc.
The sequence could be different for each of us, but the scenario is the same for most.
I am sure we are surviving our busy life. Are we thriving? Are we on the right path to reaching our life’s dreams?
What can we do instead?
Just take a step back and see whether the continuous tasks you do every day are really helping you with your life goals.
What is one small step you can take towards your life dreams — traveling the world, becoming a significant influencer, living in a luxurious home near the beach…
Find that small step and start acting on it wholeheartedly and with complete focus; the satisfaction that you get from completing this step will lead you through the rest of your journey.
- Efforts Spent on Reworking
When we multitask, we think that we are saving enormous time. But in reality, it’s just the opposite.
Multiple tasks = More Context Switching = More Mistakes =More Rework
Because our minds are constantly thinking about the next task at hand during multitasking, we will be unable to complete each job with entire focus and satisfaction, which may result in defects and rework, wasting our time and effort.
Researches show that multitasking affects the brain functions .
What can we do instead?
Focus on one task at a time, and do it mindfully.
Do not clutter your mind with too many thoughts while working on a task.
Thinking about the past causes worries and labels us inside a box, not letting us try new things.
Thinking about the future leads to anxiety, so just be present and do the task mindfully.
Mura: Imbalance
Unevenness in any form will definitely affect the flow of our lives ;
For example,
Overeating or undereating leads to physical illness;
Not finding the right balance in our emotions affects our relationships.
Over-production leads to burnout; underproduction doesn’t help us reach the heights we want, and the list goes on.
How can we strike the proper balance?
The only way to achieve this is to be aware of our actions and the outcomes.
Furthermore, taking a few minutes each day to be grateful for our lives, appreciate the things and people around us, and genuine love for nature will help us break out of the rut and find the sweet spot.
Muri: Overburdening
Putting a person or system under more stress than they can handle will only break them down.
Too much physical or mental work leads to burnout and provides no benefit to us.
So, be mindful not to overburden yourself physically, mentally, or emotionally.
Closing Thoughts
Muda, Mura, and Muri are all interconnected, and one will lead to another.
One M that will aid us in resolving this is ‘Mindfulness.’
- Be mindful of what you want in all aspects of your lives — health, wealth, happiness, relationships, etc.
- Be thoughtful of your actions.
- Be cognizant of doing one task at a time with complete focus.
- Be mindful of taking ownership in every situation and not falling into victim mode.
- Be mindful not to beat yourselves up for things that didn’t go as planned.
- Be constantly mindful of appreciating and loving your own self.
