I love to walk and hike.  I have been walking and hiking since I was a little kid growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area.  I would walk everywhere as a kid.  Yes, I walked every day to school.  Two miles there and two back. Out side our front door I would see our local mountain, Mount Diablo; which I spent many wonderful times.  I played lots of golf as a youth and always walked and carried my clubs; many times in the summer from dawn to dusk. I even had a business selling walking and hiking books by mail order called “Take A Walk.”  This love of walking has grown and woven into the way I live my life and work with my clients.

Here’s a strategy you can use when you are undecided, feeling stuck, while exploring your career options.

Walking is a break from our normal everyday routines. We go out for a walk – gain insights and perspectives and then come back. Taking a walk or a hike can be a mini hero’s journey or vision quest. Walking is a way to process what’s on your mind; and to reflect on what gives you meaning and purpose.

Walking is both soothing and energizing.  Walking is an opportunity to practice mindfulness and being in the present. When walking together I may suggest you as a client practice visualization techniques such as asking you to visualize where they want to go with their career journey, or how you would like an interview to turn out. While walking mentally hold your question or concern in front of you. This is an NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) technique.  Walking is good for the coach too – keeping us both alert and sharp. 

“The legs are the wheels of creativity”

– Albert Einstein

Walking breaks down barriers. Walking side-by-side (as a coach and a client) creates a sense of collaboration (rather than confrontational: face-to-face) Walking in a neutral space (as opposed to in an office) opens up doors for exploration. Walking may be a good time to introduce Planned Happenstance and ask Narrative questions.

“Never trust a thought that didn’t come by walking.”

– Friedrich Nietzsche

Walking was, and is, an important part of the lives of recognizable people (past and present) such as Ellen DeGeneres, Beethoven. Albert Einstein, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, Jane Austin, John Muir and Charles Dickens.

• Beethoven received inspiration for many of his compositions while walking through the city and countryside of Vienna.
• Steve Job’s is well known for his walking meetings.
• Ellen DeGeneres created a Walking Music Video.

So why is all this so?

Walking integrates both the left and right hemispheres of our brain.

Our left brain hemisphere is highly focused on rational thought, narrow and specific details and language oriented; focused on the past and the future.  Our right brain hemisphere has a more expansive view, sees patterns and connections and is present focused. When we are self critical and feeling stuck, we are usually stuck in our left hemisphere.  Walking integrates both brain hemispheres so they can work together in harmony.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant”

– Albert Einstein

Observe the image below of the walking person with the alternate and lateral movement between both sides of the body that takes place. See that when the right leg is forward, the right arm is back and the left arm is forward.

Walking builds neural pathways and improves cognitive functioning

The neurotransmitters of Dopamine, Serotonin and Endorphins are released when walking continuously. Walking stimulates more breathing, which oxygenates and increases our blood flow to our brain and body.  Walking is a grounding experience, connecting us with the earth and getting us out of our heads. The repetitive and rhythmic nature of walking gets us in a meditative state, opening us up to our inner and outer world.

Here are some walking metaphors your can use to focus on during a walking session:

• Chart your course.
• The sky’s the limit!
• Follow your path
• Choose your path
• What’s around the bend?
• Walking toward your field of possibilities
• Walking as a journey
• Dealing with your trials on the trail
• Take in the Big Picture
• Reflect on your possibilities
• Overcoming obstacles

We are blessed to have many trails, parks and open space areas here in Colorado. We can arrange your walking session based on your preferences and areas of concern, time available and the weather. When complete – summarize what was covered during session.  Send a follow up email with session summary with homework assignment – which can be a solo walking session.

“I can only meditate while I am walking.  When I stop, I cease to think: my mind works only with my legs.”

– Jean-Jacques Rousseau

So, consider taking a walking session. You may find it a “moving experience”.