Kaizen: Jeff Fenster’s 1%-Better Approach to Dramatic Self-Improvement
Entrepreneur Jeff Fenster
October 18, 2024
Great habits can lead to incredible achievements.
In episode 180 of the “PR 360” podcast, entrepreneur Jeff Fenster shared the five core values that laid the foundation for his success. Among them was kaizen, a Japanese practice meaning “change for the better,” where daily micro improvements amount to big gains over time.
Fenster founded the Everbowl superfood chain, the WeBuild Stuff manufacturing and fabrication firm, and SuperFuel Coffee. He’s also the host of “The Jeff Fenster Show” podcast.
“Kaizen is the idea that I'm going to suck when I first start things, but I'm going to get 1% better every day, and I'm going to aim for that micro improvement, something that's tangible. Something that’s obtainable, daily,” he told the podcast. “It's simple, small improvement over time. Success becomes very predictable when the approach is applied effectively in your life, and you will achieve great results.”
The kaizen approach to self-improvement makes big changes seem obtainable instead of overwhelming yourself with lofty goals that are easy to abandon.
Here’s how Fenster would use kaizen to start a jogging routine.
“So, I would say to you, put on your gym clothes, and watch Netflix today. Doable? Yeah, definitely. And then next thing, put on gym clothes, leave the house. Then, the next day, walk or run to your next-door neighbor's mailbox and micro-goal your way until you're eventually running around the neighborhood, and it's part of your behavior. It’s a new habit. And that’s the difference between those who find success in anything.”
Fenster says kaizen can help people in all aspects of their lives, whether it’s improving relationships, building a business, or learning how to cook. The most important thing is to build the habit, so it becomes automatic. Then, that one percent gain every day can become a 100% improvement in a little more than three months.
“But how can we expect to succeed if we don't build the habit, we don't build the muscle, we don't build the foundation of the human we need to be to achieve that goal? And so, kaizen is a mindset. It's saying, ‘Where am I at in blank, and how do I take what do I need to do today to make a micro improvement?’ Something small but obtainable and identifiable to me as a human, so I can then win stack my way in and know tomorrow, I achieved it, and build that confidence and build that muscle.”
The most compelling thing about the kaizen approach is that you can begin learning something new with the full understanding that you are starting at zero. But that’s the point. The focus is on making small improvements and, most importantly, building the habit. Once that’s established, the sky is the limit.
The kaizen approach mirrors the teachings of James Clear in his bestselling book, “Atomic Habits.” In the book, Clear says that success is the product of daily habits, and by getting 1% better every day, we can make “astounding” improvements in every aspect of our lives. "Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations,” Clear writes.
The big question is: What do you want to learn or improve upon? Build a better marketing strategy? Learn to play guitar? Run a 10K by spring break? According to Fenster, it doesn’t matter if you “suck” at any of your goals. As long as you are 1% better than you were yesterday, you’re on your way to massive improvements.
This interview has been edited for time and clarity.
