Book review for “Being Lean” by Michelle Leong

Michelle Leong published the book, “Being Lean” in 2021 to show you how you can apply the lean approach to your entire life, not just your workplace or your closet. She defines “being lean” as efficient living and “not wasting time, energy and money on the unimportant.”

She has almost 20 years experience in changing people’s lives and businesses for the better, with most of her work background focuzed on bringing Lean into the United Kingdom’s construction industry. She enjoys travel and diving, and has created some lean luggage based on her own struggles.

The book is organized into a few chapters:

Chapter 1

Lean as a Structured Approach to Improve Quality of Life
The Framework of Lean Philosophy
The 4-Step Lean Approach to Improvement

Chapter 2

Complementary Thinking Tools and Mindset
The Lean Thinking Way of Time Management
Flexibility and Agility To Meet The Changing World
Mistake Proofing – Adopting Prevention Before Management Is Always Best
You Can Change The World Around You – A Little At A Time

Chapter 3

Lean Tools and Techniques
Waste Glasses
Diagnostics – Combatting Self-Deception
Workplace Organisation – 5S
Visual Management Systems
Standardisation – Habit and Routine
Process Mapping

Chapter 4

The Doing Bit – Resistance To Change
Lean At Home
Lean When Travelling
Lean In Health – Food and Fitness
Lean At Work
Lean and Sustainability – Global Citizenship
About the Author
Afterword
Being Lean Website and Resources

As an example, in Chapter 4, she talks about some practical examples of applying lean at home.

Visual management of laundry using a three-tiered, see-through basket system to sort by color and determine when laundry needs to be done.
Modular batch size reduction in the fridge using 5S principles and flexibility to manage food inventory, reduce waste, and keep items accessible. This includes portioning food, freezing items, and using see-through pull-out boxes.
Standardization using checklists and databases for dishes, recipes, meal planning, and presentations to reduce decision-making time.
Using data and inventory to manage spice purchases and usage, track clothing frequency, and monitor household spending.
Applying 5S and visual management to wardrobe configuration including vertical storage and folding techniques for easy access and better visibility of clothes.
Creating visual maps for shared logistics, such as kitchen items, and using a shared wine spreadsheet to track what is available and where it is located.
Utilizing a modular inventory system for meal planning and prepping, including batch work reduction and prepping food by components to allow for flexibility.
Engineering the environment, such as setting up a home gym and structuring the day to avoid counterproductive activities.
Using visual management with a visual board with hooks for keys, a filing system for documents, and a joint household calendar for communication.
Applying flexibility, space utilization, modularity, and 5S principles to organize the fridge using allocated areas for perishables rather than fixed homes.
Using 5S principles at the point of use, such as using wipeable whiteboard vinyl wall stickers for notes, a magnet board for freezer inventory, and a mirror with notes for quick reminders.
Applying 5S to create quarantine areas for items with no home and allocating areas for quick-turnaround items to prevent clutter.
Emphasizing the use of vertical spaces with tall wardrobes, hanging organizers, stackable bins, and wheeled storage.
Focusing on motion and ergonomics, such as not walking empty-handed, installing proper lighting in closets, and optimizing the home office for productivity.
Applying the 1st and 2nd S (sort and shine) to digital clutter by organizing apps and digital photos.