Where are you going?

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine. All Rights Reserved

Are you taking the middle of the road all the time?

My old Greek mentor has a way about him. He'd rather take me for a walk than schedule a meeting in a coffee shop. Whenever I needed to figure things out, I could count on a good long walk around the block.

Taking a "volta", a stroll, is a way of seeing life, and its complexities through a natural lens. He's taught me well, and it's a method I recommend often to people who are stuck or worried.

In fact, this seems so easy that many people might dismiss its usefulness.

Let me show you the way.

• Stop what you're doing, and don't feel guilty about taking 30 minutes just for you.
• Walk for 15 minutes without any particular destination in mind.
• Stroll, don't run. Resist the urge to hurry.
• Do not think about what is worrying you, or the problem you're trying to solve.
• DO think about what you are noticing around you, especially the smallest details. Pick up a fallen leaf. Really look at it. Smell it. Listen. Look UP.
• Turn around, start strolling back, and let the answers come to you. Relax. Breathe!
• Repeat the next day.

You see, reflection is an admirable practice.

We are so busy doing, that we forget to just "be". That's what taking a volta...a stroll... helps us to do. Be.

So if you're trying to make some changes - if you'd like to be more adventurous, take more risks, get out from the middle of the road decision-making, walk the paths first. Your courage naturally builds on its own when you take your sweet time reflecting.

Be. Then go and do.

Maggie Chicoine is a professional speaker and Master Coach.