The Japanese secret to getting better everyday

There’s a simple idea you’ve probably heard:

If you improve just 1% each day, by the end of the year, you’ll be 37x better.

It sounds like a motivational quote. But it’s actually simple math — and a powerful way to think about growth.

This idea has a name in Japanese: Kaizen (改善). It simply means “change for better” — or more accurately, continuous improvement.

The concept first became popular in Japanese factories after World War II. Companies like Toyota used it to improve their systems — one tiny fix at a time. Over the years, that approach helped them become world-class.

But Kaizen isn’t just for companies. It works in everyday life too.

If you want to get healthier, build better habits, or grow in any area — Kaizen gives you a way to improve without pressure or burnout.

And the rule is simple:

Just focus on getting a little better, every single day.

That’s it.

Don’t aim for perfection. Don’t try to change your whole life in one week.

Just take one small step. Then another. And another.

These steps might feel too small to matter at first. But when done daily, they compound.

And over time, small improvements lead to big results.

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Why Kaizen Works

Big goals feel exciting at first — like going to the gym every day, writing a book in a month, or waking up at 5 AM every morning.

But they usually crash for one simple reason: they’re hard to keep up.

Most people start strong and quit just as fast.

You miss a day. Then two. You feel like a failure. Then you stop altogether.

That’s where Kaizen makes all the difference.

Instead of chasing big goals, just take one small step:

• Don’t go for an hour-long workout. Just do 20 push-ups.

• Don’t try to write 1,000 words. Just open a doc and type one sentence.

• Don’t track every penny. Just note one expense today.

• Don’t try to focus for 2 hours. Just start with 5 minutes.

I know these might not look impressive — and that’s exactly the point.

There’s no pressure. It feels so easy, you can’t say no.

And once you begin, you usually keep going.

That’s the hidden power of small actions — they build momentum.

You’ve already lived this, by the way.

Think of how you learned to walk, read, or use your phone.

It didn’t happen overnight. It happened step by step.

That’s Kaizen in action. You just didn’t know it had a name.

So instead of trying to change everything at once, try changing just one thing in a small way.

Repeat it. Let it build. Watch it grow.

That’s how real improvement happens — and how it sticks.

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How Kaizen Helped Me

When I first started my self-development journey 5 years ago,

I used to be someone who wanted to “go all in” all the time.

I’d plan a 5 AM routine, a workout schedule, block an hour a day to finish my coding lectures, and aim to read a chapter daily.

And within a week, I’d be exhausted — and ditch the routine.

It wasn’t a lack of motivation. It was too much pressure.

I expected too much change, too fast.

When I discovered Kaizen, it completely changed how I approached growth.

I stopped going all in.

Instead, I started focusing on just one small step a day:

• Read 2 pages before bed

• Watch 30 minutes of my lecture

• Do 15 minutes of bodyweight training

None of it looked impressive.

But here’s what happened: I actually stuck to it.

Within a year, these all became part of my daily routine.

I started reading every day.

I could finish a 2-hour lecture in one day.

I started training 6 days a week — all without having to force myself.

None of this was possible when I was just starting out.

Everything started small, got repeated daily, and became a habit.

Last week, I also finished writing my second book: 32 Candles, 32 Lessons.

Kaizen changed how I approach self-improvement.

It helped me stop chasing perfection and start chasing progress.

It taught me that showing up every day matters more than doing it all in one day.

And if you’ve struggled to stick to routines or reach goals, it might help you too.

Remember:

Big change doesn’t come from big moves. It comes from tiny steps done daily.

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Here’s how you too can start in 3 simple steps:

1. Pick one area you want to improve.

   (Health, focus, money, learning, creativity — anything.)

2. Pick one small action that takes under 5 minutes.

   (Like doing 10 push-ups, writing a short paragraph, or saving $5.)

3. Repeat it every day.

   Not to impress anyone. Just to make it a habit.

Small steps might feel boring at first.

You won’t see big results right away. There’s no wow moment.

You might even feel silly doing something so tiny.

But here’s what most people forget:

Doing something small every day beats doing something huge once in a while.

Practice guitar for just 15 minutes a day, and you’ll improve more than someone who practices for an hour once a week.

Kaizen works because it’s not overwhelming.

It’s doable. It’s consistent. And what’s consistent — that’s stickable.

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👋 Until Next Time...

I hope today’s newsletter gave you a fresh way to think about improvement.

You don’t need to hustle harder. You don’t need to do everything at once.

You just need to start small — and stay consistent.

The smaller the habit, the harder it is to break.

The easier it feels, the more likely you are to repeat it.

Now let’s build on it — one small action at a time.

This week, I challenge you to try Kaizen for yourself.

• Pick one small action.

• Do it daily.

• Don’t try to be perfect. Just try to be present.

If you take on this challenge, reply to this email and tell me your “1% improvement.”

I’d love to hear what you’ll work on this week.

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P.S.

If you loved this post,

You’ll definitely love my new book: 32 Candles, 32 Lessons.

It’s packed with raw, honest insights from my 32-year journey — lessons on peace, purpose, growth, and creating a life that actually feels meaningful.