Leaders,

I get it, I know the drill.

• Work’s gotta be done

• Deadlines need to be met

• The next project is waiting for approval

• It’s crunch time

• Groceries must be picked up

• WHATEVER ELSE IS ADDED TO THE LIST

The list is never ending

Yet, walking slower will make you gain so many of the things you’re looking for.

• A sustainable pace

• Achievement of goals

• Fulfillment in work and relationships

Yes, I’ve learned and still learning that a simple change of habit like walking slower allows you to have better connexion with others, relaxes you, and betters your environment’s mood!

Here are 6 effective ways to walk S.L.O.W.E.R.

1. To walk slower, SMILE. Smiling is such a powerful tool in life. It’s free, it liberates endorphins in your body, which puts you in a better mood. That also has a direct effect on other people surrounding you. By smiling, you’re leading the way as a mood-setter, not following as mood-keeper.

You’re the thermostat instead of being a thermometer

2. To walk slower, LOOK for people. When you look for someone, you have to walk slower. Look for specific individuals in your environment:

• seek out the daydreamer,

• walk by the coffee machine,

• you spouse in the living room,

• an acquaintance at the coffee shop.

By doing this, you will be able to take the 3rd step.

3. To walk slower, OPEN your eyes and make eye contact with specific individuals.

Making eye contact helps build emotional rapport with others. Eye contact creates a sense of appreciation and connexion. And as you know, human connexion happen in a slower environment, they don’t exist at a hectic pace.

Human connexion happens in a slower environment, not in a hectic pace.

4. To walk slower, WELCOME the person you just connected with. Walk towards your acquaintance, shoulders wide, smiling, forward leaning. By doing so, you’re communicating openness and willingness to connect.

Welcome as if you were actually happy to meet and greet the person. Walk in with a sense that you’re a nicer person! (Which is obviously the case!)

Think about it: if you decide to walk towards the person, you will break your stride of busy-ness.

5. To walk slower, ENGAGE in a conversation. Chit chat is easy and even the strongest introvert can do that. Add a layer by giving a genuine compliment about the outfit being worn, their work ethic or their good idea proposal in the staff meeting.

In other words, say something of positive nature. So many people are negative Nancy’s (if your name is Nancy, this is not intended to be an insult you!), Debby downers. You will be surprised what can happen by being positive. Be intentional about what you say.

6. To walk slower, RELAX. Yes relax. When you’re driving yourself (and others!) bonkers, you’re nervy, restless. If you take it relax a bit, the world will not come to an end, the company won’t crumble…but you might actually get more done!

A slower walking leader, a relaxed you connects people together, boosts morale, acknowledges value, cranks up teamwork and eventually, will get more done!

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