When I was working in China, I learned a lot about "lean thinking" and recognized its efficacy in practical application especially within a manufacturing plant. As I learned more deeply about this mindset, I realized that it can be apply to all aspects of life. One concept was that of the 7 wastes ("muda" in Japanese).
I mention the Japanese because they were actually the pioneers of the lean movement chronicled in the widely popular book "The Toyota Way". As with all ideas, these seemingly new ideas in the Toyota Way were refinements of older ideas from the likes of Deming and Ford. Although the ideas of "lean" originated in a manufacturing setting, it has been expanded to include many other industries so why not also into our personal lives.
So what are the 7 wastes present in everyday living and how to reduce it?
1. Waste of Overproduction: Unclear expectations or false assumptions lead to this waste. If you did not clearly recognize the needs of your customers (any industry) and create a product making the wrong assumptions, you will probably be left with a lot of junk (anything that has no value and value in this case is determined by what people will pay money for). Any time you spend energy on something, that energy can not be spent on anything else and if at the end, it didn't result in what you wanted due to lack of or misleading information, you have wasted your energy. The way to prevent this waste is to clarify your purpose for everything you do and to make sure whatever you do is relevant to your life's purpose.
2. Waste of Inventory: When you buy new things but you still keep around old things that are never used anymore, you are propagating this waste (i.e. blue jeans that go out of style). When you keep useless things, you need to use resources to store these items and they take up space that can be used for better things not to mention they get in the way when you are looking for things that you need. The best way to get rid of clutter is to donate it - you help other people and you can usually get a tax break (win-win).
3. Waste of Motion: Motion refers specifically to the motion of a person. Poor organization leads to this waste. If you've ever had to rummage through your bag, drawer or closet to find something, you are experiencing this waste. If you are walking upstairs each time you have to pick up the telephone, you are experiencing this waste which can be easily solved if you apply the concepts of organization (Lean has a technique called 5S). There are two parts to organization: One is putting everything in its place and the other is putting that assigned place in an area that is most useful (i.e. placing supplies that are used most often in the top drawer and those used less often in the bottom drawer and to give an assigned location for every item.)
4. Waste of Waiting: If you've ever been late to anything, you've created this waste for the person you were suppose to meet. If you've ever had to wait for someone or something, you've experienced this waste first hand. The way to reduce this waste is to always be on-time and to realize that being on-time shows that you respect not only your own time but other people's time. If you find yourself waiting, always make sure you have something to make the best use of your time (i.e. audiobook when stuck in traffic, ebook on phone when waiting on line, documents to read when early for a meeting)
5. Waste of Transportation: If you commute, you are experiencing this waste. Having to commute is a way of life for most people and the only advice I have for you is to do try being productive during your commuting time. Remember productivity is whatever you make it to be. It can be reading, catching up on some sleep (although I don't recommend it), calling a good friend or just good old relaxing. Also another solution may be to explore working from home. In this age, many jobs can be done with a reliable internet connection and computer.
6. Waste of Overprocessing: If you are a perfectionist in everything you do, you will probably experience this waste. Sometimes good enough is really good enough. You only have a limited amount of time in your day so if you decide to go for perfection, you are dedicating a lot of resources for what may or may not be a lot of gain. Of course there may be instances where being perfect is worth it (i.e. the Olympics) but in most cases it does not pay to be perfect (Read Pareto Efficiency article). Also, going from 95% to 100% takes a lot more energy than going form 0-95%. That's why it is so difficult to be in the top 5%.
7. Waste of Scrap, Defects and Rework: Making careless errors is an example of this waste. Strive to do things right the first time. If you work too fast and make a mistake, you spend even more time reworking. Another precaution is to make sure you are doing work within your reach. If you know you lack the skills, work on building your skills and do things more carefully until you have mastered the skill. This does not mean you have to always be perfect but it does mean working at the minimum required standard.
Having written this article, I realize that some of these ideas may be a stretch but at the same time I see that some are right on point. For now, it is good enough.
Recommended Reading: The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker and Lean Thinking by James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones
I mention the Japanese because they were actually the pioneers of the lean movement chronicled in the widely popular book "The Toyota Way". As with all ideas, these seemingly new ideas in the Toyota Way were refinements of older ideas from the likes of Deming and Ford. Although the ideas of "lean" originated in a manufacturing setting, it has been expanded to include many other industries so why not also into our personal lives.
So what are the 7 wastes present in everyday living and how to reduce it?
2. Waste of Inventory: When you buy new things but you still keep around old things that are never used anymore, you are propagating this waste (i.e. blue jeans that go out of style). When you keep useless things, you need to use resources to store these items and they take up space that can be used for better things not to mention they get in the way when you are looking for things that you need. The best way to get rid of clutter is to donate it - you help other people and you can usually get a tax break (win-win).
3. Waste of Motion: Motion refers specifically to the motion of a person. Poor organization leads to this waste. If you've ever had to rummage through your bag, drawer or closet to find something, you are experiencing this waste. If you are walking upstairs each time you have to pick up the telephone, you are experiencing this waste which can be easily solved if you apply the concepts of organization (Lean has a technique called 5S). There are two parts to organization: One is putting everything in its place and the other is putting that assigned place in an area that is most useful (i.e. placing supplies that are used most often in the top drawer and those used less often in the bottom drawer and to give an assigned location for every item.)
4. Waste of Waiting: If you've ever been late to anything, you've created this waste for the person you were suppose to meet. If you've ever had to wait for someone or something, you've experienced this waste first hand. The way to reduce this waste is to always be on-time and to realize that being on-time shows that you respect not only your own time but other people's time. If you find yourself waiting, always make sure you have something to make the best use of your time (i.e. audiobook when stuck in traffic, ebook on phone when waiting on line, documents to read when early for a meeting)
5. Waste of Transportation: If you commute, you are experiencing this waste. Having to commute is a way of life for most people and the only advice I have for you is to do try being productive during your commuting time. Remember productivity is whatever you make it to be. It can be reading, catching up on some sleep (although I don't recommend it), calling a good friend or just good old relaxing. Also another solution may be to explore working from home. In this age, many jobs can be done with a reliable internet connection and computer.
6. Waste of Overprocessing: If you are a perfectionist in everything you do, you will probably experience this waste. Sometimes good enough is really good enough. You only have a limited amount of time in your day so if you decide to go for perfection, you are dedicating a lot of resources for what may or may not be a lot of gain. Of course there may be instances where being perfect is worth it (i.e. the Olympics) but in most cases it does not pay to be perfect (Read Pareto Efficiency article). Also, going from 95% to 100% takes a lot more energy than going form 0-95%. That's why it is so difficult to be in the top 5%.
7. Waste of Scrap, Defects and Rework: Making careless errors is an example of this waste. Strive to do things right the first time. If you work too fast and make a mistake, you spend even more time reworking. Another precaution is to make sure you are doing work within your reach. If you know you lack the skills, work on building your skills and do things more carefully until you have mastered the skill. This does not mean you have to always be perfect but it does mean working at the minimum required standard.
Having written this article, I realize that some of these ideas may be a stretch but at the same time I see that some are right on point. For now, it is good enough.
Recommended Reading: The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker and Lean Thinking by James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones
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