It’s common for those of us promoting Lean practices to advise those new to Lean that they are undertaking a Lean Journey as opposed to adopting a new set of static practices that will mark the end of their transformation.

For those finding the journey metaphor a bit wanting, consider instead that your Lean work is similar to that of an endurance racer. Identify the race accomplishments sought as the interim accomplishments you want to attain through Lean (it’s not always about winning – sometimes being better than the race before is enough). Go about the training work and learning you need to perform at the level needed to attain these accomplishments.

Yes, endurance racers realize a certain satisfaction from winning. But they don’t stop working very hard to improve just because they win a race. Usually they set their sights higher, and work even harder to make their bodies stronger and faster.

That’s a very useful model for those of us seeking the same for our Lean enterprises.