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“I have always found that walking helps to clear my mind and spark new ideas.” - Steve Jobs
Hi,
How was your last week?
What if I told you some meetings could actually improve your well-being?
I know - sounds impossible, right?
But hear me out.
In my workshops, I talk about something I call "healthy multitasking." One of the simplest examples? Taking your meeting...on a walk.
Fresh air and movement relax your nervous system. They shift your mental state. And when your mind is calmer, you communicate more clearly and effectively.
Why share this?
Because there's even more to it.
Just a few days ago, I came across an Instagram post on the benefits of walking and talking. Turns out, it's not just a nice idea for your well-being, it has powerful, science-backed benefits for your long-term health too.
the why
Walking is one of the most accessible ways to care for your spine, circulation, and cardiovascular health.
But when you pair it with talking? It becomes exercise for your brain. 🧠
Cognitive scientists call it dual-tasking - and research shows it can:
Boost creativity
Improve memory retention
Reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia (especially as we age)
I didn't save the original IG post (still regretting that), but a quick Google search brought up dozens of studies confirming it: walking while engaging in a conversation keeps your brain sharp and your stress levels low.
And in a world where your day is packed with back-to-back Zoom or Teams calls, that's no small thing.
the how
How Steve Jobs used it:
Jobs was famous for his walking meetings.
Why? Because when people walk side-by-side, conversations flow more naturally. There's less pressure than sitting face-to-face, and more openness, honesty, and collaboration.
How I used it in corporate:
When I led teams, I used to take my 1:1s on walks - especially if we didn't need a screen. My team loved it too. Some even brought their dogs along - triple-tasking and benefits for body, brain, and well-being.
How I use it now:
Today, most of my client and collab work requires screen time.
But....my parents and closest friends live in different countries. I take a 20–60 minute walk daily and connect with family and friends:
Sometimes I call a friend.
Sometimes I voice-note friends.
Sometimes it's a video chat with my mom or dad.
It’s still a "meeting." But honestly? That’s what realistic work-life balance looks like.
your play of the week
Take your meeting on a walk🚶
This week, choose one call that doesn't require screen-sharing.
🎧 Put on your headphones
🌳 Step outside
📱 Walk while you talk
It's a micro-shift that can make endless meetings feel lighter, and your energy last longer.
9 leaders just finished The Good Busy Reset, my small-group program designed to help you reset your calendar, energy, and priorities.
In the final session one participant said, “I've taken The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People course, but this is so much more practical."
We don't need more information. We need immediate action and impact.
I'm sharing the dates for the next cohort end of June. If you want a sneak peek, join my free 60-min goal-setting workshop.
You’ll walk away with a clear work-life balance goal - so your meetings (and your week) start working for your well-being, not against it.
result
Meetings won't disappear. People build great things together through conversation.
But not all meetings are created equal. With micro shifts, the right kind of meetings can help protect your energy, create real work-life balance, and reduce time in front of your screen.
Helping 50,000+ leaders on LinkedIn free up time from unnecessary work.
If you find The Good Busy Newsletter useful, let's grow our community on Substack: subscribe now, forward it to a friend or colleague.
I know productivity - not illustrations. Stickman figures by Zdenek Sasek.
Enjoy getting good busy!
See you next Monday,
Kate
PS: If your calendar is packed with meetings, you don't need an app or AI tool. You need a work-life balance goal that helps you protect your well-being.
That’s exactly what we build inside The Good Busy Reset. I'm sharing the dates for the next cohort end of June. Sneak a peek.... Join my free workshop.
Rated 9.6/10 by leaders at HP, Vodafone, and more.
PPS: The waitlist for The Good Busy Reset small-group program is opening soon. Curious to the details now? Hit reply and I'll give you the inside scoop.