There are numerous articles on traveling to find yourself, and the internet is flooded with different life coaches guiding you find the real “you”, however personal experience and scientific research proves that traveling is one of the best self coaching tools. To put travel and coaching into the same space came from my insights, extensive practice and was inspired by recent studies on health and behavior change.
Traveling as a process has positive effects on the self, and can be very rewarding! You can travel in a group or with another person, but it is even more rewarding if you travel by yourself. For some folks such experiences become business opportunities, to transfer the message and content of the travelling lifestyle. For others, there may be a breakthrough in discovering inner capabilities and thoughts.
When you travel by yourself and learn self reliance, the following factors will be developed:
Self confidence
The number one thing to be developed when pushing your boundaries – traveling, tripping, climbing, you name it! Pushing beyond your comfort zone begins with fear, strange feelings in the stomach and ends with discovery as you face people, situations and the most importantly yourself.
Personal development
This covers activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talent and potential, enhance quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations. It’s all about who you choose to be during your travels.
Presence and Gratitude
Bring to the forefront your ability to appreciate where you are and what you have. Builds and strengthen your personality first, and strengthen your capacity to enjoy every experience.
Solo travelers become explorers who feel, taste, touche, experience and reflect. The transformation behind the journey will result in life changing virtue – once you leave, you’ll never be the same. Similar to coaching – it opens up the senses, increases awareness and most of all: it changes perspective, alters your points of view and conception of your own self. When you walk to your destination the process itself gives extra benefits to your productivity and happiness, and therefore it is every bit as effective an experience as life-coaching!
The research undertaken by Dr. Julia Zimmermann and Researcher Franz Neyer found long-term adventures can actually alter your personality. Prior to traveling, each and every participant was required to take a test that measured the “Big Five” personality aspects: openness to experience, agreeableness, extraversion, emotional stability and conscientiousness.
In comparison to those who did not travel, those who did scored higher in conscientiousness, openness to experience, emotional stability and agreeableness.
Here are a few questions and affirmations I came across in my journeys that I would like to share.
Questions:
– What makes me feel happy here?
– What can I do for you?
– What is the best thing I can do today?
Affirmations for anywhere you go:
– Open your heart and mind to give and receive.
– Appreciate, accept, and acknowledge what comes your way.
Traveling – whether an inner journey or actual trip, brings practical benefit to the self. The purpose of life coaching is to bring a sense of inner peace to the participant – a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. This state can be measured and brings the following results according to the research. To summarize, participants were more self-sufficient and self-reliant, they sounded more upbeat and flexible, felt healthy, relaxed and more enthusiastic.
Whether you go for a short or long journey, even a brief walk from point A to B – maintaining and connecting to the self may give tremendous boons and inspiration. Go for it!
Featured photo credit: VIKTOR HANACEK via picjumbo.com
