I am constantly teased about how I always save the “good box.” This belief was instilled in me by my grandmother, who never threw away a box if it was still good. She saw the value in things others might discard, always recognizing the potential for reuse, repurpose and improvement. Now, I find myself doing the same, holding onto what is useful and striving to make the most of what I have.
The “good box” concept aligns closely with the principles we believe in at AME. Just as my grandmother saw the value in every box, AME encourages us to see the potential in every process, every system and every person. Rather than discarding what does not work perfectly, we refine and improve it over time.
Continuous improvement is not about seeking perfection but recognizing what works and making incremental changes. It’s about taking what is good and making it even better.
In life, as in work, we all have our “good boxes” — habits, skills and knowledge that form our foundation. Instead of discarding them in search of something entirely new, we should embrace them, improve upon them and allow them to evolve. Like my grandmother’s boxes, the things we hold onto can serve a greater purpose than we may initially see.
If you want to learn more fundamental “good boxes” and best practices, join us at the AME Back to Basics Lean Summit. Presented virtually over four Wednesdays in March, this summit will help you start your journey or refresh your knowledge with information on foundational lean concepts and tools. You will learn about the foundation of lean principles, visual management, building a lean culture and strategy development.
Let us all take a moment to appreciate the “good boxes” in our lives and recognize their potential.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
