Ta-Da vs. To-Do

The Japanese philosophy of Kaizen is the practice of daily, incremental improvements over time. Originally developed as a business practice, and since adapted for individual lifestyles, Kaizen is built on the idea that small, sustained actions compound into meaningful results. Key to that process – above all else – is the practice of consistency.

With the advent of a new calendar year, many of us feel the pressure to reinvent ourselves with new goals, new systems, and new versions of who we think we are supposed to be. Perhaps we would be better served by a different perspective, however.

Instead of focusing on what isn’t working, we can shift our focus to what is working – the Ta-Da’s instead of the To-Do’s – and simply do more of what already works. That’s it, that’s all; no overhaul, no magic pill…just Keep Calm & Carry On energy.

Artists, especially, are now under enormous pressure to release work faster, post online more often, adapt to algorithms, and compete in an already over-saturated and increasingly artificial market. However, real people still want real music and are willing to wait for the real thing – really.

American producer Rick Rubin notes that “In nature, some seeds lie dormant in anticipation of the season most conducive to their growth. This is true of art as well. There are ideas whose time has not yet come.”

That thought feels particularly relevant as my bandmates and I work on our new album Valise – the ideas are flowing fast and furious. The real challenge is resisting the urge to rush new music out into the world before it is ready in an effort to “keep up” with the times and trends. Likewise, no one would dole out a dish at dinner time that wasn’t properly prepared.

“Quality over deadlines,” muses Rubin, reminding us to protect the creative process to ensure its natural evolution. It takes as long as it takes – because the world deserves our best work.

To cite James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, trusting the process is a 5-fold formula;

· Decide what you want to achieve.

· Try different ways of achieving it until you find what works for you.

· Do more of what works. Do less of what doesn’t.

· Don’t stop until it stops working.

· Repeat.

“It is,” he states, “both this simple and this hard.”

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for allowing us the time and space to make something honest and lasting as we move into 2026, the Year of the Horse; slow, sure, steady, sturdy, and – above all else – consistent.

Bonne Année!
Karen x
Montreal, January 2026