187. One Small Step, The Kaizen Way: Dr. Robert Maurer

23 snips

Jul 18, 2019

In this podcast, Dr. Robert Maurer discusses the concept of Kaizen and how making small steps can lead to big changes. He shares insights on why starting with small habits is more effective than setting large goals. The podcast explores the power of small steps in various areas of life, including relationships and creative progress. It also discusses the use of Kaizen in language learning and breaking tasks down. The episode concludes with a discussion on being present in conversations and a call to support the show.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Begin With Ridiculously Small Actions

Start new habits with laughably small steps that require no willpower or discipline.
Increase the step gradually as the habit forms so momentum carries you forward.

ADVICE

Attach Tiny Behaviors To Existing Routines

Anchor tiny actions to an existing enjoyable routine to create reliable triggers.
Make the new behavior so easy you're certain you'll do it daily.

INSIGHT

Why Big Goals Trigger Fear

Large goals trigger the amygdala and provoke fear that restricts cortical thinking and willpower.
Small steps keep the amygdala quiet so creativity and self-control remain available.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Dr. Robert Maurer (@Dr_RobertMaurer) is author of One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way. He's also Director of Behavioral Sciences for the Family Practice Residency Program at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center and a faculty member with the UCLA School of Medicine. In One Small Step, Dr. Maurer shows you how to make really big changes with ridiculously small steps.

I first discovered One Small Step on the Amazon page for my own book, The Heart to Start. Amazon kept showing me that people who bought my book were also buying Robert's book. After it had been sitting there for week after week, I thought to myself, I've gotta see what this is about.

You've heard me talk about taking small steps on this podcast, including my episode on how to build good habits with B.J. Fogg. It turns out there's a name for this practice. The Japanese call it Kaizen.

In this conversation, you'll learn about:

How do large goals put us into fear mode? Learn about the neuroscience of why we don't take actions.
How can you start doing anything with small steps? You can start an exercise habit simply by standing on a treadmill, or a flossing habit while flossing only one tooth.
How did Dr. Maurer himself write his book by committing to only ninety seconds per day of writing?

Support the show

Put your money where your mind is. Patreon lets you support independent creators like me. Support now on Patreon »

New Weekly Newsletter: Love Mondays

Start off each week with a dose of inspiration to help you make it as a creative. Sign up at: kadavy.net/mondays

About Your Host, David Kadavy

David Kadavy is the author of The Heart to Start and Design for Hackers. Through the Love Your Work podcast and his Love Mondays newsletter, David explores what it takes to make it as a creative.

Follow David on:

Subscribe to Love Your Work

Show notes: http://kadavy.net/blog/posts/robert-maurer-kaizen/