A small miss now creates a big miss later

This law outlines how overlooking one simple ongoing discipline in your life can have a big impact further down the line. Bartlett references Tiger Woods, a long-time practicer of the Kaizen theory, who decided at one point in his career that he wanted to completely change his swing.

Woods understood that this wasn’t something that would just happen overnight and knew that he would need to incrementally change details about his posture, grip, etc. to really improve his swing. While going through the process of changing his swing, Woods stopped winning. For 18 months he faced a rocky overall performance. However, at the end of that period, when his swing had been completely overhauled and changed, he won 6 titles straight, and has since become arguably the greatest golfer of all time.

Arguably, nature is the best teacher of this philosophy. Scientists famously reported findings on a species of moth that adapted and changed its colouring during the industrial revolution to ensure its survival. Similarly, holly trees mutate their leaves when being eaten by herbivores to form the well-recognised spikes we associate with holly, which deter animals from eating them. These small mutations create a survival instinct.

In fact, when it comes to relationships, many of us will find a relatable example. We all have our pet peeves and, conversely, our own bad habits. Bartlett states that if you ignore the seemingly inconsequential things in your relationship, eventually, it will become a matter of contention and your relationship will fester as a result.

Given enough time, that one tiny, unaddressed irk will lead you off course and cause you and your partner to drift apart. However, when you touch base with your partner, let them know what you’re thinking or how you’re feeling, when you’re addressing these tiny issues, you can readjust and keep each other on track in a healthy relationship.

Sales teams can implement the Kaizen principle with their prospects and clients to ensure any little issues or concerns can be addressed before they have time to escalate and do serious damage. By maintaining good, open lines of communication and continually checking in with them, you can keep you prospect on the right path or on track for your ultimate goal with them, to close the sale.

By neglecting any issues they’ve raised, or not communicating enough, you run the risk of that prospect becoming disengaged, concerned, or even annoyed at your lack of input into the relationship you’re building with them.

“The smallest seeds of today’s negligence will bloom into tomorrow’s biggest regrets”

All the best,

Becky