Thursday, December 27, 2012

Kaizen is My One Word for 2013

Are you familiar with the Japanese word kaizen

Translated to English, it means improvement.... daily improvement actually.

It is pronounced KY zen.

I became familiar with the term many years ago, and prior to our moving onto the sailboat in 2002, I had a large poster with the single word hanging above my desk in my office.   Just seeing that word

KAIZEN
 
 
inspired me to do a better job, to improve on my service delivery methods and times, and it drove me to make strides in my work related education as well.

These days, seeing and saying the word makes me feel energetic and motivated to do more in my workouts... run a bit longer, lift a bit heavier, add a few reps to my crunches. 
 
It also applies to my overall health and wellness... both physically and emotionally. 
 
I am not sure why it evokes these sentiments in me, but the fact that it does, has led me to decide that this will be my mantra for 2013.
 
 

 
 
 
Do you you have motto or a mantra that will inspire and motivate you in 2013?


20 comments:

  1. That is a great word to use as motivation for 2013. Improvement is all you can ask for! I like it :)

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  2. I really, really love this. Beautiful word. Perfect sentiment going into the new year.

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  3. Perfect! I don't have a word (yet!), but I'm working on one. Maybe a phrase, since I have a hard time limiting myself word-wise...

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  4. Love this! Mine is "Ubuntu": I am Because We Are.

    http://justus4carters.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/i-am-because-we-are/

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  5. I loved learning about the Kaizen approach to business management years ago! What a great idea to apply it to your daily personal and fitness life!

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  6. I love it. What a great word and it sounds beatiful to say. I don't have a word, maybe i need one.

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  7. Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing. I'll need to think on my word/phrase for the year - I love spending time to do that around Christmas and New Year's.

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  8. Great thoughts! I too love mantras or having a phrase/word for a new year to focus on (rather than a resolution for me - I've never really made those). That idea of daily improvement is such a good one! Love your header too, by the way. :)

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  9. LOVE THAT WORD & what it means!!!! Perfect! I don't have one word yet but as my post tomorrow will say for 2013 - 55 is the first day of the rest of my life! :)

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  10. LOVE THIS!! great word, it's crazy how some things get lost in translation but sometimes other languages can say in one word what it takes us so many to say!

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  11. That's a great word. I haven't come up with my word yet for 2013 but love the idea and sentiment behind kaizen.

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  12. What a great word! I haven't really set my new goals for 2013, but maybe I'll have to come up with a word to go with them.

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  13. It's nice that you've chosen a word with a story, and the fact that it uplifts you is something extra special, it's also a great word! :D

    I hadn't actually thought of a word for 2013, Kaizen is a great one but I don't wanna be stealin'! I think discipline (how unoriginal) is good for me, the discipline to improve myself every day ;)

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  14. It's nice that you've chosen a word with a story, and even better that it uplifts you in that way! It's also a great word :)

    I haven't actually thought of a word myself, Kaizen is a good one but I don't wanna be stealin'! I think discipline (how unoriginal) would be good, the discipline to improve myself each day ;)

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  15. Elle! I love the word. Thank you for sharing. Here's to 2013.

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  16. That's a wonderful word. I love when a word just encapsulates all of your thoughts.

    You're the second blogger I've now seen that's come up for a word for the new year. I love the idea and am totally borrowing it and running off. Have a fabulous New Year Elle!

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  17. I love this. I have had NO motivation. I've been extremely introspective lately and so I've been focusing inwards however I'd love to incorporate some workout goals in the new year :)

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  18. I am slightly embarrassed to say I did not know this word before, but now that I do, thank you for sharing it. It is perfect for the things I would like to do in the upcoming year. Perfect!

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