Take a Hike

I led a workshop on Business Storytelling in Phoenix last week. I never regret having grown up on the east coast and I always appreciate the differences when I spend time in the Southwest.

For starters, the people. Even though a large number of people I meet have moved to Arizona from somewhere else, nobody seems to be in a rush to get anywhere. There is a Midwestern warmth that extends from the cashier at the market to the plumber who installs a valve to the hikers you pass on a trail.

Most of the outdoor spaces have sandy gravel instead of emerald blades of grass. The mountains gather a red tint as the sun sets and I can’t get enough of those fiery sunsets. And instead of squirrels you look out your window and find a lizard, bobcat, or a family of javelinas.

That’s a mere sampling of the reasons I keep coming back. Here's another. The hikes. It's a good way to get those steps in...but it's so much more. It's not unusual for these walks to offer up breakthrough ideas or ways to solve a problem. Our cognitive function is improved in the presence of two chemicals released when hiking or walking: a protein known as BDNF that nourishes and energizes neurons, and endorphins which produce a calm sense of well-being.

This reminds me of how critical it is to clear our minds as we face multiple disruptions and interruptions in our work. Consider a visit to this part of the country for inspiration as you hike alongside giant saguaros. Or find a good spot to walk in your neck of the woods.Take