How to Problem Solve While Walking
You are just a few steps away from solving your most pressing problems. How to problem solve while walking will give you the tools to take action on your most pressing concerns.
Problems, we all have them and at times they can overwhelm you, cause you to lose sleep, and affect every aspect of your life. But, have you ever noticed that some people never get flustered in the face of a major problem? They are usually the calmest voice of reason as chaos is unfolding all around. We all know someone like this, that awesome boss that leads the company through a crisis and never loses his cool, the coach that says just the right thing to motivate you to your best achievements.
What do they know and do that so many of us don’t?
The Superconscious Mind:
Your superconscious mind has heightened awareness. It is true wisdom involving intuition -your “gut level” feeling-, BEFORE reason and emotion. Your superconscious mind lifts your soul into a peaceful and energetic state. The superconscious state, also known as the higher Self, can be attained through meditation and as you’ll soon read, through walking!
The psychologist F. W. H. Myers describes superconsciousness as,
“the treasure-house, the region that alone can explain the great, unselfish, heroic deeds of men.”
Walking and Your Superconscious Mind:
Walking activates the powers of your superconscious mind by giving you the time to think and reap the physiological benefits that improve your health. Recent research led by the University of California, Los Angeles shows that taking a short walk each day can help to keep the brain healthy, supporting the overall resilience of cognitive functioning.
Your superconscious mind operates under two very diverse operating conditions:
Condition 1: When you are 100 percent focused and concentrating on the specific problem or goal you have in mind.
Condition 2: When your mind is busy with something else. This something else could be enjoying the view from a hill you just walked up or taking photos of the changing leaves surrounding the lake you walk around. The time you spend outdoors, whether in a beautiful natural setting or walking along a busy street, gives you the time to turn off your mind and escape from whatever problems you are facing.
You can solve your problems by both thinking and NOT thinking about them.
I’m amazed at how this process has worked time and again in my life. I usually type out on my iPhone Notes App the most pressing problem that I need to resolve and the best outcome I’d like to achieve, thereby fulfilling condition #1 of focusing on the problem and outcome I’d like to achieve.
I head out the door without thinking about the problem, then I just let my mind wander, I listen to music, enjoy the view, take pictures, or do fitness exercises (condition #2). I’m always amazed at how often the solution to my problem just appears, and usually in the last 10 minutes of the walk. I then speak the solution into the app to get it down before it’s gone.
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Walk, Listen, Connect!
Try this simple process to bring all the powers of your superconscious mind to focus on one problem or goal.
Condition. 1:
Gather as much information as you can beforehand. Read, research, ask questions and actively seek the answer that you need.
Consciously try to solve the problem by reviewing all the information you have gathered.
Define the problem or goal clearly and write it into your phone App Be exact about the problem or goal.
Condition 2:
If you still have not been able to solve the problem consciously, turn it over to your superconscious mind. Release it confidently, the way you would release a balloon, and let it float away.
Get your conscious mind busy elsewhere, music, site seeing, photography. Turn your attention away and let your superconscious mind take care of it for you!
Take any problem you are wrestling with right now and try this method. You will be amazed at the results.
Supercharge Superconscious Activity
There are several ways to stimulate superconscious activity.
· Simply to think about your goals all the time. This alone will keep you happy and focused. It will cause superconscious energies to flow through you in the form of ideas and motivation toward reaching your goals.
· Practice solitude. Start taking time to be alone with yourself. A good start is to get out and walk. Solitude is a wonderful refresher that gives balance and clarity to your thoughts. It provides an opportunity for you to reflect on who you are and what is important to you. The best part of solitude is the mental calmness and serenity that causes superconscious solutions to come into your mind in complete detail.
· Visualize your goal as being achieved. Create a clear mental picture of exactly the goal or outcome you want. Dwell on this picture repeatedly until it is accepted as a command by your subconscious mind and is passed on to your superconscious mind for realization.
Just Let Go
Superconscious activity usually happens when you are making as little effort as possible.
Releasing your problem or goal completely often stimulates ideas of tremendous value.
Letting it go with complete confidence and letting your mind move onto other things is often the trigger that unlocks your hidden powers.
Daydreaming or relaxing, especially outdoors, triggers superconscious activity. Listening to classical music will often cause wonderful ideas to spring into your mind.
One of the most enjoyable ways to turn on your super-conscious powers is to go for a walk or to commune with nature in some way.
Find a peaceful place to walk. The sounds of the ocean on the seashore seem to have a powerful impact on the superconscious, as do those of any running water or natural environment.
Any form of deep relaxation or meditation also stimulates your superconscious mind.
One good superconscious insight or idea can save you a huge chunk of time. One problem solved can save you months, even years, of hard work. You must resist the temptation to procrastinate on trying one or more of these methods on the most pressing issues facing you.
It is exactly when you are the busiest that you most urgently need to listen to your inner voice of intuition.
Walking Meditation
My idea of walking meditation is to easily walk and breath in an “odd number” breathing pattern. For example, I breathe in for 4 steps and breath out for 3 steps. This gives me an odd number so that you begin on the opposite foot every 7-step cycle. You can add or decrease the number of steps in the cycle but it must be an odd number.
Also, allow yourself to be aware of the cross-pattern movement of your arm and leg swing which is very meditative. As you practice this breathing pattern, you’ll begin to find that you can quickly drop into it at any time and feel a greater connection of your mind and body. Apply this technique and you’ll easily “drop-in” to a meditative state.
When the miles pass quickly and you finish your walk refreshed you’ve hit the meditative sweet spot. And, often with a solution to your most pressing need.
Your Next Step
Before your next walk, think of a pressing issue you are facing. Write it down (use your phone app), and go out for a walk. Then either think about it OR not think about it… just “be”! Let your mind wander, daydream, think, or do a walking meditation. Pay attention to what “comes to you” concerning the issue. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how effective this technique is.
Walk on,
Frank Ring
Author: Walking for Health and Fitness, and Fitness Walking and Bodyweight Exercises
Contact Frank at Frank@walkingforhealthandfitness.com
