Continuous Improvement Mindset

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What is a Continuous Improvement Mindset?

Continuous improvement is an essential concept in business and in life. It suggests that no matter what the situation, improvement is always possible and should be strived for.

Is a Continuous Improvement Mindset Stressful?

I have recently read an article which suggested that adopting a continuous improvement mindset is negative because it imposes stress and suggests that we can never be happy; because no matter how good we are, we could and should be better. The article suggested that we should not take continuous improvement "too seriously" in order to preserve our happiness.

False Choice

There is no choice to be made between adopting a continuous improvement mindset and being happy.

It is perfectly possible to be both.

We call this mindset "happy, but not satisfied."

Happy, But Not Satisfied

This philosophy means that on each and every day, we are happy with what we have achieved so far, but we do not feel a sense of self-satisfaction; indeed, we feel excited about doing everything we can to actualise our full potential.

Continuous Improvement is Not a Demand for Perfection

Continuous improvement is an adventure where each and every day, we do whatever we can to add the maximum value to our friends, customers and family by developing our own skills.

Continuous Improvement Makes Us Happy

We do not believe that we have to choose between happiness and continuous improvement. Indeed, we believe - in fact, we know for certain - that it is possible to be happy as we work to fulfil our potential.

Continuous Improvement in Practice

To implement the philosophy of continuous improvement, we simply ask and answer the same questions every day:

1. What is our goal?
2. What is our plan to achieve the goal?
3. What are our next three top priority actions?
4. How will we measure our progress?
5. What is going well for us?
6. What is not going well?
7. In relation to what is not going well, what do we need to change in our plan, or our action, that will get us back on track?
8. How can we improve upon things we are already good at?

Eight Continuous Improvement Questions

Asking and answering these eight continuous improvement questions, and then acting on the answers, is a simple way to ensure that we are making continuous progress towards a better future.

Visions of a better future are the basis of optimism, and optimism leads to happiness.

This is how we can blend happiness with continuous improvement.

Personal Development Training

If you would like to know more about how to be happier and how to achieve more at work, then please attend our personal development training.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

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Further Reading in Personal Development

• How to Develop Dr Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset
  Are you seeking to develop more of a growth mindset? Enhance your personal and professional development with our guide discussing Dweck’s growth mindset.
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• Is it true "Everything Happens for a Reason"?
  Many people believe that things happen for a reason. But what exactly does that mean? Is it some act of fate that made it happen, or is there a cause? Do you get rich because of luck, or because you purposefully set goals to make it happen?
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• Self-control
  Self-control means understanding the internal battles that exits between “what we know we should do” and “what we feel like doing”.
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• How Introverts Can Make Their Voices Heard
  Many introverts have great ideas and expertise to offer, but often are not heard because they feel uncomfortable being the centre of attention. Find out how to empower yourself with our top tips to feel more self-confident about speaking out.
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• Fear Can Cause Failure
  The fear of failure, the fear of loss, the fear of disappointment is sufficient to stop many people from even making the attempt to win a prize. And as a result, they lose. Fear of failure causes failure.
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