By Nor Zakiah Senin
Imagine learning how to bake a cake. Every tool and ingredient must be just right. If not, the cake may turn out dense, flat, cracked, heavy, soggy, or simply miss the mark in taste.
Of course, we all want a cake so delicious that one bite makes us want more. Yet most bakers, especially in the beginning, produce cakes that are far from perfect.
A determined baker will not give up. Instead, they search for the cause, correct it, and improve with each attempt.
Often, they ask for tips and heed the “dos and don’ts” of seasoned bakers. For instance, a Sarawak layer cake maker advises that eggs must be Grade A, washed, and chilled in the refrigerator for at least an hour before mixing.
Clearly, baking a perfect cake is not just about having the right ingredients. It requires mastering techniques, respecting traditions and cautions, and above all, persevering — trying again and again without losing heart. That persistence eventually yields results worth celebrating.
So, it is with us — whether as volunteers or simply as individuals striving to grow. We aim to become better in our conduct and character, better in our relationships, better in our chosen fields.
This calls for continuous improvement: gaining knowledge and skills, building discipline and consistency, being open to feedback, managing ourselves and our emotions, and holding fast to values and integrity.
To avoid feeling pressured or overwhelmed, we can embrace the Japanese philosophy of kaizen—continuous improvement, becoming just 1% better each day.
Small steps, taken consistently, matter. Reflect daily, refine processes without blame, and make discipline a habit.
Change with resolve, but remain calm and steady. It doesn’t matter if progress is slow or if the steps are small. What matters most is the clarity of the destination. Have faith. As the old saying goes: Little by little, a hill is made.
(This reflection on volunteerism — an ethos close to my heart — is also shared in my book, Suka Rela Sukar Lawan, published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in 2024. For inquiries, contact zakiahsenin@gmail.com.)
Nor Zakiah Senin is a volunteer with Yayasan SALAM Malaysia, an NGO dedicated to volunteerism in Malaysia for over 30 years.