It’s easy to feel defeated by the seemingly endless to-do list in today’s world of rapid technological advancement and nonstop activity. Laziness can win out over inspiration sometimes.
In this day and age of rapid technological advancement and nonstop activity, it is not unusual to have feelings of exhaustion as a result of the lengthy to-do list that confronts us each day. There are times when sloth takes control, making it that much more difficult to find inspiration. It is completely normal to feel helpless and trapped in predicaments like this. Conquering it, on the other hand, is essential to success.
The Japanese approaches for treating lethargy stand out as being particularly useful despite their seeming simplicity. Let’s have a look at nine Japanese strategies that will help us fight off laziness and increase our productivity and efficiency.
1. Kanban
Managing workflow across teams, individuals, and organizations can be done in a visually appealing manner using the Kanban approach. It literally translates to “visual signal” or “card” in Japanese.
Taiichi Ohno, an industrial engineer at Toyota Automotive, was the one who came up with the idea. In addition to that, he was the one who initiated the Toyota Production System, which eventually led to the development of Lean Manufacturing.
Jim Benson is credited with popularizing Kanban in the West as a result of his personalization and distillation of the method. It is possible to overcome challenges by utilizing this technique.
Using Personal Kanban makes it simple to increase one’s level of productivity. Why? All of your responsibilities can be managed in a single location.
First, let’s have a look at it.
Ready, in progress, and finished are the three columns that are included on Kanban boards. On magnets, post-it notes, or thumbtacks, you jot down work-related tasks or items. The use of color coding allows you to organize things like tasks into projects, for example. When one of your tasks is complete, you should transfer it to the next column over. Apps such as Trello, Asana, and Kanbanize are examples of specialized applications.
What exactly is it that makes a personal Kanban workflow the ideal option? You can stay on track with both your tasks and your schedule if you update your to-do lists. Just like with a standard to-do list, using personal Kanban provides you with the opportunity to experience the gratification of checking off finished tasks in the appropriate column.
Kanban is a notion that, in general, possesses a great deal of power. When you can see how things will turn out, it will be much easier for you to plan out your day, week, and month. Rather than writing out lengthy task lists, which can easily become unorganized, this makes it much easier to keep on track with your goals.
2. Kaizen
The term “kaizen” comes from two Japanese terms that, depending on the context, can mean either “good change” or “improvement.” However, because to its relationship with lean principles, “continuous improvement” is now commonly understood to mean “continuous improvement.”
“The term KAIZEN refers to making progress. In addition to this, it denotes an ongoing development in one’s personal, domestic, social, and professional lives. According to Masaaki Imai, the founder of the Kaizen Institute and the person responsible for bringing the concept of kaizen into the workplace, kaizen in the workplace is continuous development that involves everyone, including managers and workers alike.
After the end of World War II, Japan saw the beginning of a quality movement that continues to this day. Its tremendous success can be attributed to the fact that Toyota has heavily integrated the idea into its method of production. It is referred to as “the Toyota Way” due to the fact that it determines the management and production procedures of the corporation. People are incentivized to perform better in their work by utilizing the Toyota Way.
Getting rid of inefficiencies and unnecessary steps is what kaizen is all about. In the end, efficiency is achieved one step at a time. Every time they do something, the Japanese strive to do it more efficiently while simultaneously improving its quality.
However, aside the realms of business and manufacturing, Kaizen can be used in a wide variety of other contexts as well. Kaizen can be used to virtually any endeavor that requires the optimization of a process. Every day, world-renowned sushi chef Jiro Ono incorporates kaizen into his practice:
“I keep doing the same thing over and over again, and I get better and better at it. There is always a desire to accomplish more of one’s goals. I will keep climbing in the hopes of reaching the summit, but no one can tell me exactly where the summit is.
In a similar vein, making a few minor adjustments here and there is all that is required to get us back on track.
3. Ikigai
ikigai is the Japanese word for “reason for being.” iki means “life” and gai means “value” in Japanese. In other terms, your ikiga is the thing that brings you the most pleasure. Alternatively, this is what motivates you to get up every morning and brings you happiness.
In western interpretations, ikigai refers to discovering one’s dream employment rather than, as in traditional Japanese philosophy, discovering one’s bliss.
According to Westernized ikigai, you have discovered your dream job when your vocation possesses these four characteristics:
- Your passions
- The things you are good at
- The types of work you can get paid for
- This is what the world needs
That is an excellent point. What are ikigai’s advantages?
Japan ranks third in the world in terms of life expectancy, with women expected to live 87.97 years and males expected to live 81 years. In addition to diet, many Japanese believe that ikigai plays a crucial role in determining life span and quality.
Having an understanding of your ikigai can help you live a longer, happier life, as well as:
- Create a work routine that fits your needs.
- Develop a robust social network at work.
- Maintain a balanced work-life perspective.
- Realize your career aspirations.
- Take delight in your task.
Knowing and comprehending your ikigai can propel you personally and professionally forward.
4. Jidoka
Jidoka, also known as ‘autonomation,’ ensures the integrity of product design and production. By detecting errors, you can maintain your takt time, which is the required production rate. The first two steps can be automated, but the remaining two are typically performed manually.
Jidoka consists of the following four steps:
- Determine a problem.
- Immediately terminate the procedure.
- Solve the problem.
- Determine the source of the issue.
These four stages allow any business owner to address quality issues without halting operations.
Essentially, it detects errors while maintaining a high takt time and quality.
5. 5S (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain)
5S is a Japanese workplace organization system that ensures sanitation, orderliness, and productivity. Included among the 5Ss are:
- Sort. Make your workplace as clutter-free as possible.
- Set in order. Make sure the remaining items are arranged logically.
- Shine. Regularly clean your workplace.
- Standardize. To ensure everyone knows how to implement 5S practices, document them.
- Sustain. Maintain 5S practices.
The 5S method is a simple yet effective technique for increasing productivity and efficiency. Additionally, it can contribute to a more positive and productive workplace.
Tips for starting out as follows:
Labeling and color-coding should be utilized to organize storage spaces and products.
Schedule weekly or monthly cleanings to maintain a well-kept workspace. You can use calendar reminders for this purpose.
Involving your team in 5S will foster a sense of responsibility and ownership.
6. Muda, Mura, and Muri
Muda, Mura, and Muri all refer to distinct waste categories in Japanese.
- An activity that contributes little or no value to a product or service is muda.
- mura refers to unevenness or inconsistency in a process.
- Muri refers to stress or overwork on a person or equipment.
To increase productivity, it is necessary to eliminate muda, mura, and muri. A good method to do this is to identify and get rid of waste, improve the flow of work, and reduce stress.
7. Shinrin-Yoku
Shinrin-Yoku, also known as forest bathing, is the practice of spending time in nature with the intention of experiencing its restorative effects. Nature has been discovered to improve concentration and lower stress levels for a long time by researchers.
In general, Shinrin-Yoku can give a person a much-needed burst of energy, which is necessary for overcoming laziness. For instance, you may spend your break going for a brisk stroll outside in the fresh air. According to a number of studies, there is a correlation between spending time in natural settings (such as local parks, woodlands, state parks, and beaches) and improved health and well-being.
8. Ho-Ren-So
The word for spinach in Japanese is horanso. What exactly does this have to do with productivity?
Spinach is not only good for you as a food, but it also isn’t very productive as a tactic. However, the Houkoku, Renraku, and Soudan components, which can also be referred to as Hou-Ren-Sou or Ho-Ren-So, are the most crucial elements.
- Houkoku (報告; ほうこく) stands for report.
- Renraku (連絡; れんらく) refers to communication or contact.
- Soudan (相談; そうだん) indicates consult or ask advice.
Tomiji Yamazaki, a former president of Yamatana Security and the person who first popularized the term “Ho-Ren-So,” did so in the 1980s. It wasn’t until his book “Strengthen your company with Ho-Ren-So” came out that the concept caught on in Japan.
One of the most important talents you need to have as an employee is Ho-Ren-So. Ho-Ren-So is taught to newly hired employees as part of their orientation training. It is vital to have a solid grasp of the principles in order to have successful communication within the firm.
Ho-Ren-So has the advantage of assisting businesses in speedily resolving their issues and preventing a recurrence of such issues. In addition, once everyone in the team is informed, they may all accept responsibility for their assigned tasks.
9. Wabi-Sabi
Appreciating the beauty that can be found in things that are imperfect or fleeting in nature is one of the primary tenants of the Wabi-Sabi philosophical school. In terms of increasing productivity, it encourages accepting mistakes and letting go of perfectionist inclinations, which in turn encourages working in a manner that is healthier and more balanced.
When you look at your failures as opportunities for growth and education, you will be able to learn and develop more successfully. The pursuit of advancement ought to be prioritized given that there is no such thing as perfection.
What you absolutely need to understand before you start:
- In order to cultivate self-compassion, it is important to recognize and acknowledge your efforts and growth, regardless of any shortcomings.
- Use meditation applications like Headspace to hone your skills in focused observation and practice.
- By being open and honest with your coworkers about the difficulties you’ve faced and the experiences you’ve had, you can help foster a culture of growth and vulnerability.
How to Use Japanese Productivity Methods
Many approaches exist to employ Japanese productivity methods. Remember these tips:
- Start small. Try making a few adjustments at a time instead of many. Before trying another way, master one properly.
- Be adaptable. Changing methods to suit your needs is fine. Productivity has no single solution.
- Be patient. Productivity methods require time to show results. Stay positive if you don’t see results straight away.
Summary
The Japanese productivity approaches can be helpful if you wish to increase both your efficiency and your output of work. If you follow the advice given above, you will be able to implement these strategies to enhance both your life and your professional life.
In addition to the tips described above, here are some more Japanese productivity recommendations:
- Take some time off. It is common knowledge that individuals in Japan put in long hours at work. On the other hand, there’s a technique called “inemuri,” which literally translates as “sleeping while present.” It’s possible that this might take place during meetings, on the way home, or even while waiting for the train after a late night out. People who do this are able to maintain their concentration and feel refreshed.
- Do not attempt to multitask. It is a widespread misunderstanding that being able to multitask inherently results in increased productivity. Nevertheless, it can be detrimental to your performance because the continual switching between jobs that occurs when multitasking can lead to errors as well as a drop in productivity.
- Tasks should be delegated. Maintain an open mind on the possibility of task delegation. When you do this, you give yourself the opportunity to concentrate on what is most important, rather than wasting time on things that are not quite as vital.
- Just say no. It is acceptable to say no if fulfilling a request would require an excessive amount of your time or effort. When you learn to say no, it will be much simpler for you to guard your time and concentrate on the things that are most important to you.
- Be sure to look for yourself. Taking care of oneself is something that the Japanese people place a high value on. Exercising on a regular basis, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep are all vitally important. If you take care of yourself, you will have more energy and will be able to concentrate better, which will allow you to do more.
Using Japanese productivity practices and these helpful recommendations, you will be able to better both your life and your work.
FAQs
Are Japanese productivity methods effective?
Because of this, there is no response that is universally applicable because Japanese productivity approaches can be useful in a variety of contexts and with a wide range of individuals. Despite this, these approaches do appear to be helpful in bringing about an increase in overall production.
What are Japanese productivity methods’ benefits?
Using Japanese productivity practices can provide a number of benefits, including the following:
- Both productivity and efficiency are increased with these changes.
- Errors and waste were cut down significantly.
- An improved sense of contentment and morale among the workforce.
- An increased minimum requirement for the quality of products and services.
- An increase in the amount of profit.
What are Japanese productivity methods’ drawbacks?
There are a few obstacles to overcome when it comes to the Japanese productivity approaches, including the following:
- The culture needs to evolve.
- A requirement for additional schooling and training.
- Commitment is required from both employees and management.
- It is necessary to overcome resistance to change.
Which Japanese productivity strategy suits me?
- The size and complexity of your organization.
- What you are doing.
- How do you learn?
If you are unsure whether methodology is best for you, it is a good idea to read more about them. You can also obtain ideas from those who have tried Japanese productivity approaches.
