# Improve Something Today
> Improve Something Today is a blog, podcast & e-mail newsletter offered by Brian Kerr since 2016, helping directors, managers, consultants & dreamers practice continuous improvement & change methods in their organizations & lives.
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## Pages
- [Hi, I’m Brian Kerr](https://improvesomething.today/brian-kerr.md) - Brian Kerr writes Improve Something Today. He’s a management consultant based in Tacoma, Washington; here’s a brief introduction with ways to connect with him & various affiliations.
- [Brian Kerr’s consulting approach & experience](https://improvesomething.today/consulting.md) - Brian Kerr is a consultant in Tacoma, Washington. Since 2006 he has helped clients & managers in small, medium & large organizations apply continuous improvement & change methods to their most stubborn problems.
- [Improve Something Today.  Ways of looking for simplicity, patience & compassion](https://improvesomething.today/home-hero.md) - This is a blog, podcast & e-mail newsletter offered by Brian Kerr. Everything here is free. Welcome.
- [Welcome to Improve Something Today](https://improvesomething.today/newsletter-welcome.md) - Thanks for signing up for the e-mail newsletter. Here’s what’s next.
- [Get the newsletter](https://improvesomething.today/newsletter.md) - Sign up for the twice-monthly, free e-mail newsletter. No ads, no upsells.
- [Improve Something Today: Podcast](https://improvesomething.today/podcast.md) - The Improve Something Today podcast, started 2018, is a short, weekly show with readings & discussions related to continuous improvement & change methods inside organizations.
- [Presentations & talks](https://improvesomething.today/presentations.md) - With links to recordings & slides, where available.
- [Quote barn](https://improvesomething.today/quote-barn.md) - Remember when we could make web pages about topics we liked or collecting material we found interesting? Welcome to the quote barn: a tossed-off joke realized. It is a web page with a barn full of quotations.
- [Recommendations](https://improvesomething.today/recommended.md) - Selected books, newsletters, blogs & podcasts. Find something new.
- [Support this work](https://improvesomething.today/support.md) - Everything on this site is free. If you’ve found something useful, here are ways to support my work.
- [Tags: explore by topic](https://improvesomething.today/tags.md) - “One measures a circle, beginning anywhere.” —Charles Fort
- [Site publication details](https://improvesomething.today/web-publishing.md) - What makes this thing go.
- [A welcome note](https://improvesomething.today/welcome-letter.md) - A few summers ago one of the kids found a message in a bottle washed up in the tide. Bored high schoolers on the opposite side of Hood Canal seeking new pals. The excitement of receiving a message in this way could not be denied. Now—you pick up a bottle; you remove and unfold a note; it reads:

## Posts
- [Podcast episode No. 0046: What the heck is Brian up to?](https://improvesomething.today/podcast-episode-no-0046.md) - A professional update, some new things, a request, and a reading.
- [A summertime check-in: Comfort-Stretch-Panic & Disability Pride Month](https://improvesomething.today/a-summertime-check-in.md) - A simple method for checking in; a reading & a game for Disability Pride Month; plus some recent updates across the site.
- [Podcast episode No. 0043: The stone boat](https://improvesomething.today/podcast-episode-no-0043.md) - 0043: The stone boat0:00/160.746666666666671× Episode details A reading of a short poem by W.S. Merwin: The Estuary. I share a few words about what might have influenced Merwin at the time of the poem’s composition. More podcast episodes online or in your favorite app.
- [What kind of water is this like? A simple practice for noticing awareness](https://improvesomething.today/qualities-of-water.md) - A momentary observation for seeing the quality of your experience without, hopefully, worrying too much about how or why.
- [Wrapping up the first 10 years of Improve Something Today](https://improvesomething.today/wrapping-up-10-years.md) - It’s been a busy two weeks on the site :)
- [A decade in books](https://improvesomething.today/a-decade-in-books.md) - Nine books I’m always reading.
- [Describing highly variable processes with Work Unit Routing Analysis (WURA)](https://improvesomething.today/wura-pqr-process-analysis.md) - A method for documenting & understanding processes when people say there isn’t a process.
- [Our favorites, so far](https://improvesomething.today/our-favorites.md) - Now that Improve Something Today is a decade old, here are some of your favorite—and my favorite—of the things I’ve offered to date.
- [Tilopa’s six words of advice](https://improvesomething.today/tilopas-six-words-of-advice.md) - A six-word poem to be appreciated, for today, as a poem.
- [Five contributions to a project: money, effort, attention, memory & wisdom](https://improvesomething.today/five-contributions-to-a-project.md) - Following on Jerry Weinberg’s point that ‘the money is usually the smallest part of the price,’ what other prices are to be paid, and how should a consultant approach these contributions?
- [Open space technology, principle 4: “When it is over, it is over”](https://improvesomething.today/open-space-technology-principle-4.md) - Appreciating circles that have been opened but not closed.
- [Three ways people respond to a problem (other than solving it)](https://improvesomething.today/responses-to-problems.md) - Noticing responses to problems; there’s a whole set. The consultant’s reaction to each of these as they arise.
- [Two facilitation methods starting with a single line: Actions|Results & +|Δ](https://improvesomething.today/single-line-facilitation.md) - Two simple facilitation methods you can start anytime by drawing a single line on a sheet of paper. What these are and when to use them.
- [10 things I’ve learned in 10 years of writing Improve Something Today](https://improvesomething.today/10-things-for-10-years.md) - This site is about learning in public. As it turns a decade old, I scrounge around for 10 things I’ve learned while writing it. Also: my gratitude.
- [Timely plugs: Mandy Brown’s workshop, Abby Covert’s next sensemaking book, & new music](https://improvesomething.today/timely-plugs-mandy-brown-abby-covert-80s-kids.md) - Three things to consider this week.
- [Questions along the way](https://improvesomething.today/questions-along-the-way.md) - The Periodic Table of Questions, ICA’s ORID, Liberating Structures’ W3, and more. How might we organize questions, and to what end?
- [Remembering Christopher Alexander: love even for the smallest pebble](https://improvesomething.today/remembering-christopher-alexander.md) - Two passages from the architect and writer on the fourth anniversary of his passing.
- [Podcast episode No. 0037: The wooden chair](https://improvesomething.today/podcast-episode-no-0037.md) - 0037: The wooden chair0:00/387.98933333333331× Episode details Readings of two passages on the subject of wooden chairs, as seen in the Wooden chair as exemplar of emptiness section of the Quote barn. More podcast episodes online or in your favorite app.
- [Podcast episode No. 0036: Anecdote of Carlina](https://improvesomething.today/podcast-episode-no-0036-anecdote-of-carlina.md) - 0036: Anecdote of Carlina0:00/265.813333333333331× Episode details A reading of two short passages, one from The Art of Public Speaking, by John Rippingham (1814), and the other from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ‘The Comic’ (1875). By way of Wikipedia on the ‘sad clown paradox’ as shared on Mastodon by Jo…
- [My beefs: notes for February 2026](https://improvesomething.today/beefs-february-2026.md) - Given so many big things to be angry about, let’s indulge in some petty beefs instead. I offer four.
- [With paper, glue & scissors: how little zines can make a big difference](https://improvesomething.today/zines.md) - Two ways to make an 8-page mini-zine using stuff you already have—and three reasons why you might do this.
- [We have to remember this: notes for January 2026](https://improvesomething.today/notes-january-2026.md) - Responding with attention, kindness & action as people return to work in difficult circumstances.
- [Going wrong, going great: notes for December 2025](https://improvesomething.today/notes-december-2025.md) - 2½ readings on seeing failures & responding to them. Celebrating my accomplished & wonderful pals.
- [Vanishing fish, boiling frogs & the dry bed of the sea](https://improvesomething.today/vanishing-fish-boiling-frogs-the-dry-bed-of-the-sea.md) - Making sense of ‘shifting baseline syndrome’ in the world & in the workplace.
- [A choice to counter culture: notes for November 2025](https://improvesomething.today/notes-november-2025.md) - Ways to practice: refusal, invitation, risk. The new Ram Dass book. Revisiting ‘whole-heartedness.’
- [On ‘undiscussables’ 45 years later: still here, still bad & somehow even worse](https://improvesomething.today/undiscussables-2025.md) - Revisiting Argyris’ ‘undiscussables’ as emergent, unwanted behaviors & as features of organizational control. Keeping courage, showing kindness.
- [The undefined moon: notes for October 2025](https://improvesomething.today/notes-october-2025.md) - Readings on sneaker manufacturing, a dismal vision from the 1960s, & Wendell Berry on ‘provision.’ Plus two upcoming events.
- [Needing Earth & body: notes for July 2025](https://improvesomething.today/notes-july-2025.md) - Remembering Joanna Macy. Two book recommendations (on AI & on facilitation). Two ways of looking at a chair.
- [Always becoming otherwise: notes for June 2025](https://improvesomething.today/notes-june-2025.md) - Readings about & in response to the ‘who cares era’. Ways to show & give care in an extraordinarily careless time.
- [A real hoot: notes for May 2025](https://improvesomething.today/notes-may-2025.md) - Documenting institutional collapse. The curse of knowledge & cursed knowledge. Workshops on connecting measurement to strategy.
- [You only take what you bring: notes for April 2025](https://improvesomething.today/notes-april-2025.md) - Two things to read. Plus guides for getting started in consulting (find a client), writing (get over oneself) & analysis (find insight in data).
- [Monthly links & notes for March 2025](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-for-march-2025.md) - Readings on systems thinking & change management. An upcoming event series on facilitation & health. Last week’s weather.
- [Why people work at cross-purposes & what to do about it](https://improvesomething.today/why-people-work-at-cross-purposes.md) - A guide to finding & making the most of disagreements.
- [Monthly links & notes for January 2025](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-for-january-2025.md) - The State of Facilitation report. Readings on AI & Ursula Franklin. A plug for improving your online typography & an awkward podcast appearance.
- [Monthly links & notes for December 2024](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-for-december-2024.md) - The year’s end. Six amazing things my friends did. An activity for reflection & planning. Farewell to my waders & to the year.
- [Monthly links & notes for November 2024](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-for-november-2024.md) - A talk on values at work. The Multisolving book, which I think you should read. Whole-heartedness.
- [Monthly links & notes for October 2024](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-for-october-2024.md) - This month I bring you three readings (on fear, dormancy & group deliberation), two books—one from 1919 & one just published—and one 9th-century poem.
- [Monthly links & notes for September 2024](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-for-september-2024.md) - Two extremely 2024 readings. Grace Hopper’s extremely 2024 lecture from 1982. Also, registration now open for the best, dorkiest online event of the year.
- [Monthly links & notes for July 2024](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-for-july-2024.md) - 4 online readings: Boeing’s weird decades, group dynamics, attempts to define ‘quality’ & Disability Pride Month.
- [Monthly links & notes for June 2024](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-for-june-2024.md) - Multisolving: a newsletter & facilitation method for evaluating new projects. Plus, how to fry a Mars rover.
- [Monthly links & notes for May 2024](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-may-2024.md) - I’m back! Two essays, some R.W. Emerson & two online cohorts—consider joining soon.
- [Monthly links & notes for February 2024](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-2024-02.md) - A report on facilitation, two interesting articles & an in-person conference now open for registration.
- [8 ways to push a problem around (without fixing it)](https://improvesomething.today/how-to-push-problems-around-without-ever-solving-them.md) - A “to not do” list.
- [Monthly links & notes for January 2024](https://improvesomething.today/monthly-links-notes-2024-01.md) - An obituary, a few readings, a book & an online course.
- [Monthly links & notes for November 2023](https://improvesomething.today/links-notes-for-2023-11.md) - This month: 4 articles & an online course.
- [Monthly links & notes for October 2023](https://improvesomething.today/links-notes-2023-10.md) - 3 articles, a case study, 2 books & an upcoming event.
- [Dan’s Device: “Now that I see it… [it’s completely wrong.]”](https://improvesomething.today/now-that-i-see-it.md) - After “now that I see it” come words you need to hear as early as possible.
- [Noticing little things & little thinks](https://improvesomething.today/noticing-little-things-little-thinks.md) - Noticing at work. Noticing on the cushion. And noticing while out & about. These three are related. I am still figuring out how.
- [Starting a new project? 3 things to figure out immediately](https://improvesomething.today/new-project-3-things-to-understand.md) - The things I do before I do anything & why they’re worth the effort.
- [Open space technology, principle 3: “Whenever it starts is the right time”](https://improvesomething.today/open-space-technology-principle-3-whenever-it-starts-is-the-right-time.md) - Each moment prefigures the next. But in certain moments, a huge change can begin.
- [Disconnected improvement events fail. What to do about that](https://improvesomething.today/disconnected-improvement-events-fail-what-to-do-about-that.md) - Instead of drawing a box around the problem, tether it to something important.
- [4 favorite Liberating Structures for continuous improvement](https://improvesomething.today/four-liberating-structures-continuous-improvement-lean.md) - Getting specific about facilitation methods & how to incorporate them into the work.
- [The world of silence: marking Disability Pride Month](https://improvesomething.today/the-world-of-silence.md) - Being a hearing-impaired person whose job is to listen. Quiet, noise & rest.
- [Using Liberating Structures to facilitate continuous improvement](https://improvesomething.today/liberating-structures-facilitation-continuous-improvement.md) - You’ve gathered everyone together around a problem. Now what?
- [23 reasons to write online](https://improvesomething.today/23-reasons-to-write-online.md) - Write to dispel the curse of knowledge, to find your people & to become.
- [The jewel of resistance](https://improvesomething.today/the-jewel-of-resistance.md) - Resistance to change is precious. Here’s how to make the most of it.
- [On doing more with less](https://improvesomething.today/on-doing-more-with-less.md) - More what? Less what? 90 years ago, Bucky Fuller gave his answer. There is a different one now.
- [Premortem: before starting a new project, learn why it will end in failure](https://improvesomething.today/premortem-learn-how-a-project-failed-before-it-starts.md) - A simple method for uncovering big, ‘undiscussable’ risks to a project.
- [Merely being the person you are](https://improvesomething.today/merely-being-the-person-you-are.md) - The consulting advice that made me a better person & a more effective consultant.
- [Open space technology, principle 2: “Whatever happens is the only thing that could have”](https://improvesomething.today/open-space-technology-principle-2-whatever-happens-is-the-only-thing-that-could-have.md) - Planning for a facilitated event involves being ready to throw the plan away.
- [The Strategy / Culture Bicycle: one picture that replaces an infinite amount of bullshit](https://improvesomething.today/the-strategy-culture-bicycle.md) - A strategy method that gets right at the good stuff.
- [On speeding things up](https://improvesomething.today/on-speeding-things-up.md) - Learning from the hourglass & the snake.
- [How to make any meeting better with 3 simple fenceposts](https://improvesomething.today/purpose-rational-aim-experiential-aim.md) - Identify a purpose, rational aim & experiential aim—quick actions with a huge effect.
- [5 ways to approach goal-setting. Only one is worth a damn](https://improvesomething.today/5-approaches-to-goal-setting.md) - Better to have an impossible goal than one you meet-&-exceed always.
- [Ditching ‘assume good faith’ as a way to talk about respect](https://improvesomething.today/ditching-assume-good-faith.md) - Time to fix problems at the source rather than tolerate awful behavior.
- [Optimization & other failures](https://improvesomething.today/optimization-and-other-failures.md) - “By what method?” ... “To what end?”
- [Lee’s Law: a URL for every idea](https://improvesomething.today/lees-law-every-idea-should-have-a-url.md) - “Every idea should have a URL, bonus points if one does not have to make the URL oneself.”
- [Want water? Get a bucket. Want improvement? Get PDSA](https://improvesomething.today/the-pdsa-bucket.md) - Back to basics with the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle.
- [Make your next presentation a spiral, not a line](https://improvesomething.today/make-your-next-presentation-a-spiral-not-a-line.md) - Cycling through your main point helps your audience. Here’s how.
- [“What did you notice?” → End your meetings with this short, powerful question](https://improvesomething.today/end-your-meetings-with-this-short-powerful-question.md) - The simplest technique I know.
- [2 ways to get better at guessing](https://improvesomething.today/2-ways-to-get-better-at-guessing.md) - Try out your guesses; write them down.
- [Some things (like pancakes) you should finish once you start](https://improvesomething.today/some-things-like-pancakes-you-should-finish.md) - Would you rather have five half-cooked pancakes or two good ones?
- [Open space technology, principle 1: “Whoever comes is the right people”](https://improvesomething.today/open-space-technology-principle-1-whoever-comes-is-the-right-people.md) - What's the use of a crowd?
- [A lousy time to be a good idea](https://improvesomething.today/its-a-lousy-time-to-be-a-good-idea.md) - In which “we send our hypotheses ahead, an expendable army, and watch them fall.”
- [How I learned to speak about changes when 19 out of 20 people would rather I shut the hell up](https://improvesomething.today/heres-how-i-learned-to-communicate-about-changes-when-19-out-of-20-people-would-rather-i-shut-the-hell-up.md) - Nobody wants to hear it from the consultant.
- [3-step method for learning anything](https://improvesomething.today/three-step-method-for-learning-anything.md) - See one, do one, teach one ← That’s the method.
- [Dust off those awful process maps. Add these 3 things to them to get people thinking](https://improvesomething.today/dust-off-those-awful-process-maps-add-these-three-things-to-them-to-get-people-thinking.md) - Get those process maps off the shelf & turn them into something useful.
- [Credit for success belongs to my clients. Blame failures on me](https://improvesomething.today/what-ive-learned-in-15-years-of-consulting-credit-for-success-belongs-to-my-clients-and-blame-for-failures-belongs-to-me.md) - What I've learned in 15 years of consulting: ‘Remain unmoved by praise or blame.’
- [Options & set-based design](https://improvesomething.today/options-set-based-design.md) - An effective lean method for eliciting & testing out the best, weirdest ideas.
- [Splitting your pants & losing your head: an introvert’s guide to facilitation](https://improvesomething.today/splitting-your-pants-and-losing-your-head-an-introverts-guide-to-facilitation.md) - A quick activity before stepping in front of a room.

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