Taking the stairs can feel like punishment when weighed against the smooth ride up the elevator. What if i get there sweating and panting? There is however a silver lining to taking the stairs, it is not only the physical health part of it. Along the way i have picked up the following lessons from panting up the stairs

• Being on time — i have to plan in advance the time i need to fly up the stairs and be on time for my meetings.
• Being patient — i don’t fidget anymore trying to hurry the elevators to come to my beckoning, therefore i don’t experience anymore the frustrations that comes with it.
• I don’t need an elevator pitch — i take the time to thinking through what i will say when i get to my destination.
• Serenity — the stairways are more often than not empty, presenting the best moments to think, i can meditate and i have had an innovative idea or two.
• Connecting with people — there is less awkwardness on stairways than in elevators, therefore i can have real conversations with people.
• Challenge — not matter how much i seem to work out i always end up panting a few flights up the stairs, i am constantly challenging myself to do better next time.
• Being in charge — on the stairs i can control the pace at which i shuttle up or down, i can be in charge of the happening around me and more importantly adapt the pressures around me to my mental and physical state.