Take a walk - you never know what you may find!
Editor’s Note: This was originally published in the April 8, 2021 Newsletter.
When did you last take a really good walk? What did it do for you?
As declared by my then-middle-school son, I'm a walker. This was delivered as a statement of fact, not a compliment or a criticism, accompanying a Mother's Day gift of a neoprene belt / wallet holder / water bottle thingy! That label felt important to me. I am, fundamentally, a walker and proud to be recognized as such.
Walking is my solution to most things. Wonderful day, successes to celebrate? Let's go for a walk. Frustrations deep, anger simmering? Walk it off. Difficult decisions to make, choices to consider? A walk will help with that. I walk alone and with friends or family; by day and later at night than my boyfriend is happy with; for pleasure and for business. Sometimes I'm on the phone (thank you, AirPods!); sometimes I listen to podcasts, prayer, or meditation apps; most often I just walk in silence, letting each step restore my physical, mental, and emotional equilibrium.
Yesterday was National Walking Day, and walking has gained a lot of attention during the pandemic. It's outside, free, takes limited equipment (though I am a convert to good shoes, regularly replaced), and accommodates social distancing easily. Walking is also business relevant. Walking helps you think and spurs creativity. It can enhance memory and shift perspective on persistent challenges. Walking with others disrupts power dynamics and lowers conflict. That's a lot for one of our oldest evolutionary accomplishments!
In this edition, we'll share some specific ways you can use walking intentionally and creatively. We explain some of why walking works and how you can incorporate it into your work week. See you out on the path!
Using walking as a purposeful tool and a pleasurable treat
Walking for yourself: Walking has physical and psychological health benefits - outlined in this New Yorker article. As you consider the type of walk you're taking - for example, city streets, or out in nature - a mapping tool like Plot A Route can be helpful. A good rule of thumb is three miles/hour.
Walking with yourself: Combining exercise and mindfulness, a walking meditation can be a powerful way to shift your focus and re-awaken your senses. I generally go for the rule of thirds: no more than one-third of weekly walking time for calls; no more than one-third for media (including guided meditation and podcasts); at least one-third of weekly walking time in silence. A safety note: always be aware of what is going on around you. Don't have the volume too loud and consider using only one earbud.
Implementation: Block time this week for solo walking. How will you use the "rule of thirds"?
Walking for others: I regularly schedule walk-and-talk meetings. These are frequently mid-afternoon and support my "external processor" clients and friends - people who "talk to think". We're on the phone, they're talking, I'm (mostly) listening. I'm honest that I'm out for a walk - I can't take notes or look things up on the web, there may be background noise - and I'm available to companion their thinking. They can brainstorm or work through big challenges - I even use this technique as part of strategy days. I recently sent my client out for a walk while I was in the office taking notes! She found more inspiration and clarity, I was able to capture it. Win, win.
Walking with others: In-person walk-and-talk meetings (safely, of course) have been popular with great thinkers and are more than just the opposite of sitting. Walking together means we're not looking at each other, changing power dynamics and lowering conflict. This also creates a shared experience, deepening relationships and building trust.
Implementation: Where could you support an external processor on your team with a walk-and-talk? Are you the external processor in question? Ask for what you need.
Moving to the "next normal" - have you captured your pandemic learning?
Walking has drawn increased attention during the pandemic. As I strategize about the next normal, time for walking is something I know I want to preserve. I captured my intention when I completed our free pandemic lessons learned worksheet. What are you intentionally including in your next normal?
From talking to clients and observing industry trends, the inertia of pre-pandemic habits is asserting itself more strongly than we may have anticipated a year ago. 2020 was characterized by a talk of a deep shift in how we work (particularly for office-based workers) and a sentiment that long-term change was here. While we are clearly entering an extended period of hybrid work, there is also a tendency for firms to drift back to the familiar. Companies that were less flexible pre-pandemic are showing signs of returning to a less flexible stance post-pandemic. Prep for the important dialogue of advocating for what you need - check out these great video tips.
“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.
You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings