I'm not in the habit of writing chapter-by-chapter reviews of books. This series on the book Small Change, by Susan & Larry Terkel is an experiment for me. I've been trying out the small change approach in a few areas of my life. I wrote about making a habit of appreciating and acknowledging others. It's a habit that I want for myself.

There are many habits I want for myself. In Chapter 2 the authors propose a set of behaviors for better health and the small change approach for acquiring them as habits. We all know the benefits of exercise, sleep, good posture, and flossing. Do you have the habits you want? I don't. But the authors go on to describe some other small changes that might make a big difference in your health. Did you know you can do eye exercises to potentially improve your sight? How about blowing your nose to stay healthy? Their advice to slow down to enjoy eating food might help you lose 20 pounds.

None of the Terkel's advice is new. (Is anything really new?) They show us the practice of small change. It's the kaizen way.

Kaizen is Toyota's winning strategy for competing throughout the world. Small changes everyday by everyone keeps the automaker on its toes while stepping on those of their competitors. Susan and Larry Terkel claim, "Small changes are consistent with human nature and evolution." Their book Small Change offers a straight-forward approach to adopting small changes and the kaizen way in your life. In this first of six postings that follow the chapters of their book, I'll highlight the Terkel's approach.

1. Look closely at what you do everyday.
2. Make only one change at a time.
3. Make small change a constant in your life.
4. Trust the power of small change, and remember, it will add up.
5. Enjoy making small change.

A story in Fortune What It Takes to Be Great tells about the key to doing well. It's not talent. It's practice. Daily practice. Small change is the daily practice that can transform our lives.