Lifestyle Management ~ JIT vs. JIC

JIT versus JIC Management - from the works of Martha Beck, author of 6 books and life coach!

I know what you are thinking! What the *@%$ is JIT and JIC?

JIT or "just in time" was a term of manufacturing and business management adopted by Japan's Toyota Motor Company shortly after World War II. Times were tougher then than the yare now so the company adopted the policy of ordering just enough parts to keep their assembly line running instead of stockpiling their inventory, known as JIC inventory or "just in case" (in case we run out).

So how many times have you stocked up an an item that you use consistantly or buy extra of something because you very rarely see it sitting on the shelf? My bet is pretty often, I think we are all guilty of this in some manner or another.

I am sure you have heard of the saying "America is the land of excess." While some people can agrue that point today in this tightening economy you can not compare what we as Americans have accessible to us as opposed to some third world countries.

Our mind sets, and even our genetic make ups follow the JIC way of thinking. Most of us have been on a diet or know someone who has, or maybe you are yound enough to remember your Health Classes in school talk about metabolism. Those of us who have been on starvation diets have tought our bodies to take on the "just in case" way of living. When the body gets to eat it wants to get as much as it can (binging) because it doesn't knwo when it will get fed again. So it learn to store up the fats for later use, thus creating the likelyhood of that dieter to become obese - or have an excess of fat!

Take a look in your pantry or your closet, your garage or your basement. How many items will you find that were impulse buys? Items that you knew you would need eventually, or maybe they were just such a "deal" that you couldn't resist it becasue you knew you would use it for that price. Tags still on? Boxes still sealed? You are living a "just in case" lifestyle.

"Money doesn't buy happiness"

I know you have all heard this saying. So why do we see so many rich people in rehab, or being treated for depression, or commiting suicide? They all have felt a sense of loss, be it money, love or work. To the point where they can not find a sense of hapiness or fulfillment in themselves to be confident that they have enough.

Why make the switch to a "Just-in-time" Mind Set?

According to Martha Beck, once you take on this attitude your life will change "with out even trying." Ever been on a diet that worked "with out even trying?" Ever found things falling into place "with out even trying?" Ever been looking for love but been told "When you stop looking, you will find it?" This all comes from the attitude of the JIT mindset.

"Simplify by taking your attention off thoughts of scarcity and persistently focusing on observations of abundance, you can replace the nervous, just-in-case mind-set that kept our ancient forebears alive but is killing many of us." - Martha Beck

Martha suggests starting with these 3 simple steps:

1. List 10 times you thought that there wouldn't be enough of something and survived.
2. List 10 areas where you have too much not too little.
3. List 20 - or 50, or 1,000- wonderful things that entered your life just at the right time, with no effort on your part. Start with the little things (oxygen, sunlight, a song on a radio). You'll soon think of bigger ones. Most of my clients realize that the most important things in their lives showed up this way.

Most importantly - get started today, your "Just in Time"

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