After a long summer it is time to get back in the habit. Work started a few weeks ago and my inspiration for continuous improvement is as intense as ever. To focus this energy we a have a few new quotes. We often talk about the importance of bias for action. Few quotes catch this meaning as plainly as this.

“Well begun is half done.” – Aristotle

Within Lean we often try to bring out problems to the forefront, showcase our opportunities for improvement and illustrate the bottlenecks of our processes. This is important, but how we move on from these discoveries is where we find success.

“It is of no use to discover out own faults and infirmities unless the discovery prompts up to amendment.” – John Quincy Adams

It is easy to get stuck in one mode of thinking. With the myriad different challenges it is important to be flexible and to adapt thinking to the problem and not trying to adapt the problem to the solutions you prefer.

“We can’t solve the problem by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein

The more I know, the more I stand by the creed of Plan, Do, Check and Act. Preparation is the key for a successful execution.

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln

Always stay curious!