007: Kaizen and the Power of Small Steps

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Common wisdom suggests that if we want to make big changes in our lives, we have to take big steps. But sometimes even if we know what we need to do next, fear can get the best of us.

My guest today, Dr. Robert Maurer, shares how you can use the concept of Kaizen to overcome mental obstacles and create momentum in your life. Dr. Maurer shares how taking small actions and asking small questions can sometimes be the key to accomplishing great things.

Dr. Robert Maurer

Dr. Maurer is the Director of Behavioral Sciences for Family Medicine Spokane and a faculty member at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. He has served as a consultant to many companies and government agencies, including Walt Disney Studios, the US Airforce, and American Express, to name a few. He has also appeared on ABC’s 20/20, and has been featured in the Los Angeles Times and other publications. He is the founder of The Science of Excellence, a consulting firm. And finally, his book One Small Step Can Change Your Life is now available in fourteen languages.

Hope you enjoy the episode!

Episode Highlights

The concept of Kaizen and how you can apply it in health and relationships
Why trying to create great change quickly often backfires
Why the average person makes the same New Year’s resolution 10 years in a row
How small steps can help you “tiptoe” past your natural fear response and create sustainable habits
How asking small questions can help you solve problems subconsciously
Why it’s a myth that big problems need big solutions
Kaizen vs. innovation and how they intersect
How to use the technique of “mind sculpture” to hone skills without lifting a finger
The real nature of stress, and how you can reframe it in a more healthy way