Hack: Convert meetings to walking meetings

Like most of the modern workforce, I spend a lot of my week in meetings. 

I used to be able to get out and about a lot to do this - but now, like the rest of the workforce, the majority of meetings are conducted online.

Last week, I decided to try and convert as many of my meetings into walking ones - it was also a week of stunning October weather which did make it decidedly easier!

I managed to convert 5 of them into walking, which meant that for 5 more hours last week I was able to walk where I would have usually sat.

My inner voice did sometimes pipe up and tell me that it would just be so much easier to just sit down and chat - particularly for a 1:1 with one of my team.  I told myself that she might not be keen, it would be difficult to walk and drink my morning coffee and a variety of other lame excuses.  Anyway - I shut the voice up and my 1:1 person was actually only too happy to pop her walking shoes on and come out and about with me.

It adds such a good dynamic to a meeting, we talked freely and easily about projects and solved some minor event planning problems as we chatted.

Walking meetings seems to work best when its just 2 maybe 3 people.  One when you don't need to write notes (or could record voice notes on your phone).  They are especially good for problem solving, discussion-based meetings. 

Creativity is proven to be boosted in the outdoors and there is most definitely something to be said for freer thinking in an unrestricted environment.  

As we approach the winter months and spend more time indoors, we need to find ways to take in more natural light in our daily routines.  This helps our circadian rhythms with maintaining healthy sleep patterns, hormone regulation and general well-being.

As a workplace you could get people to pledge a number of hours each week that they will commit to getting outside for a meeting whether it be face to face or on the phone.  Sometimes just offering employees the ‘permission’ is knocking down a big barrier.  It can be really hard for employees who have caring responsibilities to fit in exercise and this could be a really helpful way to keep your workforce well throughout the winter.

Not only will step count be increased, but so too will productivity and engagement.

Let me know in the comments how you get on and people’s responses to it.