Improving your own quality

It is part of History now, at least Management History, when Total Quality Management was the big trend in business. Everybody wanted to manage their 5S’s…

It was not a bad idea and it worked very well in many places, but it is difficult to resist to times of change, when storms of situations come and you can’t even remember the first S.

In reality, it is not difficult to understand that quality cannot start from outside and this is why it takes so much effort. In fact the place where Total Quality became part of their natural lives was Japan, where honor and a very simple lifestyle contribute for its success; their quality started from inside their minds and culture.

Any fashion or trend in any area of life can only resist time when it becomes part of people’s nature. It is only when it is part of the self, thinking process and is present in emotions and feelings that you can say it was really successful.

But we can learn from History, of course, and it is interesting to revisit the concept of quality this time focused on the self:

• The quality of the process will reflect upon the quality of the outcome. If you want anything in your life to improve its quality – your relationships, career, writing and even a smile – go and look for the process behind it, working on its quality.
• You are responsible for your own quality. Right, situations influence and people too, but it is you who is your own leader. It is important to make time for reflection and meditation as these two processes can help you to increase your own quality from within.
• Systematically. You won’t change overnight and things won’t improve overnight either. It takes time and methodology, and you need patience and perseverance if you want a life of quality.
• Your quality will help others’ quality. Maybe it will take time, but as you improve your own quality, other people will experience that too by following your example or getting help from you.