1 Easy Way to Stop Running on Empty and Dragging Your Problems into Your Future

In 1935, a Japanese engineer at Toyota introduced a simple concept that would revolutionize both manufacturing and life productivity: Jidoka. While most men may never have heard of it, its principle holds the key to overcoming the cycles of burnout, inefficiency, and frustration that plague modern life and work.

Jidoka means “automation with a human touch”. In essence, it’s about stopping a process the moment a problem arises to fix the issue before continuing. The result? Greater efficiency, less waste, and higher-quality outcomes. Now, you might be thinking, “What does this have to do with my life and work?” Everything. Because at the heart of Jidoka lies the principle of intentional pausing—stopping to fix an issue at its source rather than mindlessly pushing through.

The Jidoka Approach: Pause to Accelerate

Consider this: most men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are running on autopilot. They grind through their to-do lists, burying the deeper problems that slow them down—bad habits, lack of clarity, overwhelming tasks. They think productivity is about pushing through, but in reality, they’re just covering cracks with duct tape.

Jidoka teaches us that true progress is made when we pause to address problems as they arise. You don’t need to push harder; you need to stop, fix what’s wrong, and move forward without carrying the weight of inefficiencies.

Application of Jidoka in Life and Work

1. Identify the Root Cause

Whether it's in your career or your personal life, Jidoka starts by recognizing problems as they occur. Maybe you’ve been feeling tired and unfocused at work, or your relationships are suffering due to stress. Instead of ignoring these issues, stop immediately and ask: What’s the root cause?

You find that root cause by implementing the 5 Whys Technique, and it goes like this: Step 1: identify the problem/bottleneck with clarity, Step 2: Ask “Why?” 5 times in order to get to the root cause of the problem in order to know how to resolve the problem with precision and continue moving forward.

• Work Example: You’ve been consistently missing deadlines. Instead of working longer hours, pause to examine why. Is it because you’re overcommitted? Or because you’re spending too much time on unimportant tasks?

• Life Example: You’ve been snapping at your partner, creating tension. Instead of letting resentment build, stop and address the underlying stress before it causes more damage.

2. Create Systems That Solve the Problem

In Jidoka, the goal isn’t just to fix the current issue but to put systems in place to prevent it from recurring. Once you’ve identified the root cause, build a system to ensure it doesn’t slow you down again.

• Work Application: If you find that emails are derailing your focus, set specific times for email management. Use tools like autoresponders or filters to reduce distractions.

• Personal Application: If your evenings are filled with stress because of lack of planning, create a structured routine. Block time for work, relaxation, and connection with loved ones.

As Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Jidoka forces you to rethink how you approach problems, with a solution-oriented mindset.

3. Build in the Habit of Reflection

Jidoka isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a philosophy of continuous improvement. Regularly check in with yourself—whether weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Where are the friction points in your life? Are you spending too much energy in areas that don’t move the needle?

• Work Application: Create a simple system to review your workflow each week. What worked? What didn’t? Where can you improve? This prevents small issues from snowballing into bigger ones.

• Personal Application: Reflect on your relationships, health, and personal goals. Are you drifting or progressing? Fix issues when they’re small, not when they’ve become overwhelming.

Live Fully by Fixing What’s Broken

Brother, it’s time to stop running on autopilot. As Bruce Lee famously said, “It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.” Jidoka offers a path not to just doing more but to doing what truly matters. Life is full of distractions, inefficiencies, and problems—but by embracing Jidoka, you’ll learn to pause, fix what’s broken, and move forward stronger.

Next time you hit a wall at work or home, don’t plow through. Stop. Identify the root cause. Create a system to fix it. And move forward with less baggage and more clarity.

Cheers,

Matt

P.S. If this was helpful for you, it might be helpful for someone else. Feel free to share it. My goal is to help as many people as possible stop settling and start living. 🤙