September 17, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

      In some readings I did of late, I came across a blurb on the concept of Kaizen.  While this has been mostly applied to business management in Japan, Kaizen can be applied to any area of life.

   In a nutshell, Kaizen is small continuous changes which over time result in big changes.

   If you want to make a change to a particular area of your life - professionally or personally - it is better to start with baby steps.  Do just one small action a day to move you further along the road to your goal.

   By taking baby steps, you won’t overwhelm yourself - a major reason why people start something new and then quit after mere days.  Also, you will be able to see the tangible changes that you are making, changes that are in manageable bite sizes.

   These baby steps can be very small...finding a pen so you can write down the next step...putting everything for the next task in one convenient location...making one phone call (or just looking up the number so you can make the call!).

   Start off small, but be consistent.  It is only by consistency that the job will get done or the change will occur.  Doing one action a day will add up quickly to more and more actions.

   What is the one thing that you wish to change, improve, enhance or learn this fall...take the first baby step to accomplishing that goal.  Good luck! 

Beth

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September 3, 2004 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   It is getting to be that time of year again...the leaves are starting to change colour and drift earthward, the days are getting shorter, there is a definite nip in the air, people are starting to pull out their jackets and fall wardrobes, farmers are harvesting (weather permitting!) and garden produce is being taken in and prepared for winter storage.

   Children are back in school (myself included!) and it is time for the various clubs, organizations and activities to resume for another season.  Registration and sign up nights are scheduled to assist you in deciding what to take part in.

   We all have our usual organizations we’re involved in, but now is the time to reflect on why we’re in the groups we’re in.  If you feel that your contribution makes a difference, or that belonging to something fills a need you have, great.  On the other hand, if you only sign up because you always have and it has become habit, or a dead weight, maybe it’s time to think again.

   All of us have a basic need to contribute to the large world around us, and all of us want to feel that our contribution matters to the whole.  If you don’t have that sense that what you do is important, perhaps it is time to leave that group in someone else’s capable hands as you go off to find a group where your unique talents and expertise will be an asset.

   We all have a special niche in community life.  Have you found yours? 

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VdNvC5bZPSGtmQeYfwvfnz0enwxo-RFi/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.