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Take A Hike
Nick Nolte and Robert Redford are starring in an upcoming movie about a trek along the Appalachian Trail. In Bill Bryson’s book, A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, he writes
“Every twenty minutes on the Appalachian Trail, Katz and I walked farther than the average American walks in a week, that's walking of all types: from car to office, from office to car, around the supermarket and shopping malls – [which] adds up to 1.4 miles a week...That's ridiculous.”
Last week I went for a few hikes in Vermont, including trails around Mount Equinox in Manchester and a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. The friends I was leading through these trails had an excellent time as did I. Along the way, I pondered how hiking in the woods relates to leadership. Here’s what I discovered:
1. Leading requires clarity of direction and capacity to navigate.
Before we ventured out, we talked at length with someone who knows the area. With that insight and a good map in our hands, we set out, happy to chart a course. I was confident to lead because I had done what was required to know where we were going.
2. Stopping from time to time to smell the roses yields surprising discoveries.
When you take a break from usual hustle and bustle, you become present to elements and ideas that you otherwise overlook. In Vermont, we were treated to the sight of a little red fox scuttling across a road.
3. Knowing when to lead and when to follow makes a difference.
With mosquitoes attacking us and thunderstorms threatening the end of our second hike, one of our hikers wanted to charge ahead to get out of the woods faster. Being that the direction we were going was well mapped out, I was happy to let him lead. He moved us along at a terrific pace.
4. Getting active outdoors recharges batteries.
We all work hard in this fast-paced business world and it is so important for mind and body, spirit and balance to enjoy the beautiful smell of the air, the gorgeous vistas and be physically rejuvenated from an outdoor hike.
So how about you? What kind of outdoor activities do you enjoy most that will recharge your batteries, and when will you make time to treat yourself to some adventure nature time?
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By Jonathan FlaksNick Nolte and Robert Redford are starring in an upcoming movie about a trek along the Appalachian Trail. In Bill Bryson’s book, A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, he writes
“Every twenty minutes on the Appalachian Trail, Katz and I walked farther than the average American walks in a week, that's walking of all types: from car to office, from office to car, around the supermarket and shopping malls – [which] adds up to 1.4 miles a week...That's ridiculous.”
Last week I went for a few hikes in Vermont, including trails around Mount Equinox in Manchester and a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. The friends I was leading through these trails had an excellent time as did I. Along the way, I pondered how hiking in the woods relates to leadership. Here’s what I discovered:
1. Leading requires clarity of direction and capacity to navigate.
Before we ventured out, we talked at length with someone who knows the area. With that insight and a good map in our hands, we set out, happy to chart a course. I was confident to lead because I had done what was required to know where we were going.
2. Stopping from time to time to smell the roses yields surprising discoveries.
When you take a break from usual hustle and bustle, you become present to elements and ideas that you otherwise overlook. In Vermont, we were treated to the sight of a little red fox scuttling across a road.
3. Knowing when to lead and when to follow makes a difference.
With mosquitoes attacking us and thunderstorms threatening the end of our second hike, one of our hikers wanted to charge ahead to get out of the woods faster. Being that the direction we were going was well mapped out, I was happy to let him lead. He moved us along at a terrific pace.
4. Getting active outdoors recharges batteries.
We all work hard in this fast-paced business world and it is so important for mind and body, spirit and balance to enjoy the beautiful smell of the air, the gorgeous vistas and be physically rejuvenated from an outdoor hike.
So how about you? What kind of outdoor activities do you enjoy most that will recharge your batteries, and when will you make time to treat yourself to some adventure nature time?