Living Lean

Introduction (Excerpt)

Ever feel like you’re on a hamster wheel? Constantly busy but never really getting ahead? Always moving but never moving forward? 

That’s how I feel all the time. We live in a world where being “busy” is glorified. We’re constantly being told to do more, be more, and have more. The to-do list is endless, each day passes by in a blink — so fast that many of us probably don’t even remember how good that cup of coffee in the morning tasted — and the pressure to keep up with all of it is crushing. 

But what if there was a different way? What if the secret to a better life wasn’t about adding more to your already overflowing plate, but about strategically removing the excess? What if, instead of working harder, we could work smarter, think clearer, and still have time left over for the things in life that truly matter?

Well, that’s what Living Lean is all about.

This book isn’t some trendy life hack or a quick fix. It's about applying the timeless principles of Lean — a framework originally designed to streamline manufacturing at Toyota Motor Corporation, which later also revolutionised software development — to every single aspect of your life. The Lean methodology is all about optimising systems and ruthlessly cutting out “waste”, i.e. anything that isn’t worth doing or keeping. And the truth is, these principles don’t just apply to business — they’re universal. When we laser-focus on what truly matters, eliminate the unnecessary, and build systems or habits that we can sustain over the long-term, we unlock the potential for a truly satisfying and joyful life.

A Lifestyle, Not A Shortcut

Let’s be clear, Lean isn’t something you do once and never again. You have to live it. Lean is a philosophy that fosters long-term growth, but only when applied every single day to everything that you do. It’s a way of life — one that’s highly flexible and deeply personal — that can be adopted by everyone, whether you’re a CEO, a stay-at-home parent, a student, or simply someone searching for peace, balance, or fulfilment.

The Journey Ahead

You’ll soon discover that this journey you’re about to embark on isn’t about achieving perfection in life, it’s about making progress. It’s about learning to work strategically, so that you can make space for the things that you love, the people who matter the most, and the goals that give you hope. By the time you turn the final page, you’ll have the tools to:

• Identify and eliminate the “waste” that’s cluttering your time, energy, and focus.
• Create systems and habits that support long-term success and wellbeing.
• Sharpen your thinking, boost your efficiency, and live with greater intention.
• Build deeper, more meaningful relationships through effective communication and collaboration.

So let's begin. Let’s stop wasting precious time and energy on things that don’t matter, and let’s instead focus on what brings value to your life, what matters the most to you. 

Let's start Living Lean.

Want To Read The Full Book?

If this excerpt resonated with you and you're ready to break free from the endless cycle of burnout, loss of direction, and lack of focus, why not grab a copy of the full book, Living Lean, from Amazon, available in both Paperback and eBook formats.

Not Ready To Buy The Book? Try These FREE Practical Exercises

I’ve put together a practical workbook, completely FREE, to help you reclaim your time, energy, and focus. In this workbook you’ll find two powerful exercises based on the Lean methodology:

• ✅ Value Stream Mapping: Identify where your time and energy are really going so you can eliminate waste.
• ✅ The Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritise tasks effectively so you focus on what truly moves the needle.