I’ve got to admit it’s getting better, a little better all the time.
– The Beatles
Total Quality Management (TQM) is a systematic, cyclic evaluation of quality. Businesses use it to set initial standards of quality, identify areas in which the organization is not meeting those standards, plan and implement corrective actions in those areas, and redefine their standards. Then the cycle starts over with a fresh look at the standards.
You’re already using this technique, albeit probably unconsciously. You don’t call it TQM, however. You call it personal growth.
You can use this system purposefully, and in doing so, get better—and faster—results. Simply put, it’s a cycle of PDSA—Plan, Do, Study, Act.
Initial Standards
You can’t meet or exceed a standard you haven’t set, so determining your standards is the first step. You can really use this in any area of you life. Whether you want to become a more ethical person, get better grades, be more loving to your partner, be a better ally in the fight against racism, or lose weight.
Let’s look at the example of losing weight.
You probably already have a weight in mind. Maybe your college weight, or your ideal weight as determined by a doctor, or maybe you just want to drop 15 pounds. Ta-Da! You just set a standard. How easy was that?
Meeting the Standard
Given that you want to lose weight, we already know you aren’t meeting the standard. That’s ok. The whole point is improvement, not perfection. If you are meeting the standard, can you exceed it? Do you have a plan to maintain quality?
PLAN
Think of this step as your road map to success. You know where you are, and you know where you want to go. How are you going to get there?
In our weight-loss example, some corrective actions you could take might be switching to diet soda, joining a gym, or having one vegetarian meal every day.
Part of your plan should also be the “due date.” When and how are you going to evaluate your results? In this case, you might check in daily at first, to determine if you are following the plan. Then perhaps monthly to determine if the plan is working—are you losing weight?
DO
Once you’ve settled on a plan, execute.
STUDY
On your due date, evaluate your results.
Did you lose weight? If not, why not? Did you blow off the gym? Switch back to fully-leaded soda?
Or are you following the plan but it’s just not enough?
Did you lose the weight you wanted?
ACT
Now it’s time to act on your results. If you aren’t where you want to be, it’s time to create a new plan to get there. For example, what steps can you take to help yourself get to the gym or drop the pop? What can you add to your plan to help you get to goal? Another 30 minutes to your evening walk? Another lap in the pool? Swap out fish for red meat twice a week?
If you did reach your goal, it’s time to redefine the standard. How are you going to maintain your weight? Do you want to get in better physical condition?
As you can see, you’re back to planning. Rinse, repeat.
I chose the example of weight loss because it’s easy—we all have a pretty clear idea of how weight loss occurs. Some other topics aren’t so easy—like being more loving or a better ally—and you’re likely to need input from other people. For example, it would be really helpful to know what makes your partner feel loved and whether your action plan is making them feel your love more frequently or more deeply.
You can still use these techniques.
PLAN—bring wife flowers every Friday
DO—buy the flowers
STUDY—does wife feel more valued?
ACT—new plan: send a text once a week telling her one thing you appreciate about her.
It may seem a bit silly to do this in a purposeful or mindful way, especially when it comes to the “touchy-feely” topics, like being more loving. But by doing it, you’re setting yourself up for success. You are focusing on a target and drawing yourself a map to that target. That’s crucial.
You can’t hit your target if you don’t know what it is.
You can’t reach your destination without directions.
PLAN, DO, STUDY, ACT—and succeed.
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This post is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: iStock