Are You On or Off the Trail?
Posted on November 12, 2018 by Elias Ursitti, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.
This short article is about designing a practice to upgrade your Human Operating System (HOS).
In the past, when I used to hike up Barr Trail in Manitou Springs, I would listen to a stimulating audiobook while I hiked steadily upward. I enjoyed the simultaneous physical and mental stimulation.
This time I wanted to try something different. I decided to do a walking mindfulness practice. I made it my intention to notice the sights, sounds, and sensations that I was exposed to while slowly meandering up the hill. Naturally, my mind would start wandering off the trail. As soon as I caught myself, I would ask myself “Where are you right now?” Then I would say “Get back on the trail.”
I found this walking mediation to be a very powerful practice. Now that I am back at home, I am still continuing this on-going mindfulness practice. If I am washing the dishes and my mind wanders, I invite myself to “get back on the trail” and I once again start to pay attention to the sights, sounds, and sensations I experience while washing the dishes. What is your practice for being mindful? How often are you practicing?
I am convinced that the only real option for learning to thrive in today’s hyper-speed and tangled world is to upgrade our Human Operating System (HOS). Yes, eating a nutritious diet and getting the right amount of exercise and rest are crucial. These actions are necessary but not sufficient. What most people are missing is a practice for Waking Up, for raising their level of human consciousness.
When we are truly awake, then we can meet life in the moment, with whatever challenges and opportunities it brings. This is the place of true power, resilience, connection, creativity, and inspiration. The future of leadership will be about raising one’s own consciousness and supporting others to do the same.
