From Bulky, Fat ..to …… Lean & Healthy!!!

Read the heading again, nope not an easy task… you might say - I tried so many times but doesn’t look like I am losing any fats or I will start doing something about it from tomorrow (and tomorrow never comes) or I am too busy at the moment, let this phase go and I shall start my work-out. Few of my friends even argue, you need to have fats/bit of tummy that’s when the tuxedo or blazer suites you well

I bet many of us who are reading this and are on “heavier” side of BMI (Body Mass Index) knows what I am taking about. Basically what is happening – we have started “enjoying” the “fatness”, even though we know that extra fat is not healthy as soon it will start impacting our performance and comes with a hefty cost we still carry it and come up with “innovative” excuses for not taking any action to reduce it.

Yes, there are people who does take action for few days (jogging around the blocks or joining gym) but not able to continue it consistently.

Do you see some pattern here? If we/our processes are fat, somehow we start love it having around (fat), we just convince ourselves that .. that’s okay, it is not much, or I shall work on removing/reducing the fat (wastage) tomorrow coz I am too busy now.. and over time we start even acknowledging it as great “possession”… 

Hard truth - the fact remains – Fat(wastage) invites issues, slows our speed/progress, hits us both mentally and physically and starts spoiling our environment slowly...almost unnoticeable.

So how do you start towards the “Lean” and “Healthy” journey?

To start with, you need to ignite (and keep up the flame) the thought of becoming “Lean”.

How?

First, You need to visualize clearly in your mind – what is your goal (end value – in terms of specific weight, size etc).. what value/benefit you would bring to yourself or people around you when you are a lean-mean machine (Identify Value)

Second, identify and organize your steps, actions and things to achieve the end goal. Steps could include identifying a gym, searching a joggers track/park, buying jogging apparels/shoes, selecting energizing music track during the course (I personally prefer audio books), eating habits - what to eat what to avoid or may be a companion who always motivates you… that is list of everything that serves you as Value stream to achieve your end goal.

Third, create a habit, rhythm a flow … best way to do it to internalize the process. Coz when it comes from within, you will start enjoying it, you will not take it as burden. It should happen in a way such that you should be drawn/pull towards your “end goal”, as you are with your “Value stream” and “flow”, you will start observing that waste is slowly getting removed/ disappeared as you would start taking initiatives to eliminate the obstacles in your flow. So, who is removing those hurdles and impediments? It is you, as you've started enjoying the journey, you've started feeling light and healthy. Remember -You don’t just create the flow – maximize the flow / the grind.

Fourth, as things are in flow, you ought to motivate/empower people around you. After all whats the fun in keeping the joy and benefits to yourself when you see that people around you are still carrying the burden of bulkiness? Tell your success stories and benefit of staying lean, light, healthy and energetic. Guide/help/train people around you to take lean journey with you. Create and standardize the process, a kind of ready-reckoner for people to refer and inspire and empower people to follow the path for great results.

This last one, Fifth, circle backs to the entire process. In simple terms, how do you optimize it? Make it work better? It is Continuous improvement.
PDCA – Plan, Do, Check, Act/Adapt offers us a methodical way to solve problem and improve. It is about observing each of our steps to see what works, what doesn’t and what can be done to improve/optimize the entire life-cycle of becoming lean and taking those actions. It is about always trying to seek optimal and innovative ways stay lean all the time.

Follow this and I bet you will be a lean-mean machine soon...and if you pay attention to the "Fifth" step, you would stay lean.

What more, apply the above five steps/principles at your work and soon you will establish a “Toyota” like culture at your workplace.

Wondering can we use the metaphor above and map it to the five principle of “Lean Thinking”? (check the text in bold)

What do you think?!

PS: About me, nope I am not Lean yet, but nevertheless I am already on my way and started enjoying the journey itself :-)