4 More Ways to Find Your Own Path: Lessons from the Camino de Santiago, Part 2

As mentioned in a previous article, my journey on the Camino de Santiago taught me many lessons to carry out in my personal and professional life. This is the second part of a four-part series that highlight 17 lessons on how to help guide us during those times when we may be a bit overwhelmed or anxious about which path to take in our professional (and personal) lives.

For some background, the Camino de Santiago (aka “The Way of St. James”). The Camino is one of the oldest pilgrimages in the world. Over 1,000 years old, it includes a number of routes that all lead to Santiago de Compostela in honor of St. James. Some people go for religious reasons, other for spiritual, others for personal. My month walking 800 kilometers from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port in southern France to Santiago in western Spain walking an average of 25 km a day on the Camino Frances route certainly put into perspective many lessons and reminders to take with me in my everyday life.

Here are four additional ways to help us find our own Ways:

5. Lesson #5: Talk to someone unlike you
Make friends with those unlike yourself: surround yourself with people with different interests and areas of expertise.

Take on projects or hobbies that you normally wouldn’t do: step outside your own box.

Challenge your worldview: don’t ever be satisfied with your assumptions. You could be wrong.

6. Lesson #6: You have to work for it
Don’t expect shortcuts: they only happen in the movies (and in The Way, Emilio Estevez’s character DIED taking a shortcut crossing the Pyrenees).

Put one foot in front the other: no one will walk for you. They may walk with you, but you still have to move yourself.It’s the only way to get where you want to go, whether that’s the top or elsewhere.

Put in effort and dedication: hard work does pay off. It might not be what you expect, but the payoff is there.

7. Lesson #7: Enjoy the view
Stop and smell the roses: don’t be in such a rush, you forget to pause. Pay attention to your surroundings.

Remember the journey on the way: the top is not the end. Enjoy the view.

Are you still you: if you do not recognize who you are becoming – and it’s not a good feeling, stop and re-evaluate.

8. Lesson #8: Sometimes, you have to wait
Hesitate: pausing allows time to reassess. Waiting for a better moment does not necessarily mean delaying your journey.

Learn to wait: having patience is not the same thing as putting off. Be sure you are not procrastinating, however. While waiting, better prepare yourself.

Be flexible: you don’t always get your way, so remain open-minded for all the unexpected possibilities.

This was first published on www.Hummingbirdrcc.com.

Dr. Belinda Chiu is a social change strategist, coach, and facilitator. Like you, she believes that everyone has the transformational ability to reach their potential and beyond. Dr. Chiu incorporates a practice of mindfulness to help individuals harness their natural strengths, achieve results, and carve their own paths towards professional fulfillment. She writes regularly on her website, Hummingbird research coaching consulting.

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