RE: Saying something: Part Seventeen - Responsibility

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RE: Saying something: Part Seventeen - Responsibility

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unitmaster in Reflections • 7 months ago

One thing that I despise is the phrase "It is what it is" when people use it in the context of something they could change but pretend to be a victim instead.

Using your post yesterday as an example... "our house is always a mess because of our kids, it is what it is."

That mentality is infuriating to me. It is what YOU make it! Of course, that doesn't apply to things that are truly out of your control.

How do I apply this? If I don't like something, if it is within my sphere of influence and control, I try my best to take responsibility and make changes. A leader I admire uses the phrase "fix what bugs you" and I use that as motivation to make changes and improve things.

7 months ago in Reflections by unitmaster

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galenkp 7 months ago

I'm with you there, it's a rather lazy statement and as you point out, usually incorrect. I also hate thos one..."it's all good." When my sister says it to me I know it's not all good and nowhere near good.

As far as change and improvement, I encourage people to make small changes, start with the smallest thing and then the next and so on...eventually that change-ethos becomes a habit and as the little things dwindle in number it takes people on to big things. Starting with those big things first us where many trip themselves up. It's basically the same as that phrase you mention in your last few lines.

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unitmaster 7 months ago

When my sister says it to me I know it's not all good and nowhere near good.

I know the feeling, have a friend just like that 😂

I encourage people to make small changes, start with the smallest thing and then the next and so on

Yes, I've found this to be really effective for me. There is a book called "2 Second Lean" that talks all about this. The company requires every employee to make one improvement every day that saves 2 seconds or more. It's super fascinating if you look up FastCap or Paul Akers on YouTube they have a bunch of videos showing improvements.

Anyway, I try to do this for myself at work and home. I don't do it every day, but I have made so many small improvements that compound to make a huge improvement in my life and work.

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galenkp 7 months ago

Toyota developed a system called TPS (Toyota Production System) starting in around the 1950's which works to save seconds in so many ways (moving stillages closer to operators for instance - less steps), It's where phases like JIT (Just in time) and words like Jidoka and Kaizen were applied to production. I think it can be implemented in a person's life, as you point out. It's designed to save waste as well of course, but I thought I'd mention it considering your comment.

Anyway, I try to do this for myself at work and home.

Indeed...everyone should.

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unitmaster 7 months ago

Oh man, thanks for the reminder about Toyota. I read a book about them developing that system, so impressive!

Many years ago I got to tour the Toyota Plant here in California NUMMI. The level of efficiency and organization was mind-blowing. It was only a 45 minute tour but it changed my way of thinking about business for years.

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galenkp 7 months ago

You're welcome. Their methods are taught across so many companies to this day in many industries and in the office environments as well where wastage (time and other things) occur and the savings are often immense. There's a lot of lessons that can be gleaned and then implemented into every day life, a person just needs to want to do it. Some will and some will be like, it is what it is. I know who I'd rather be.

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