Atlas of Creative Tools /

Walk and talk

Walk and Talk is a tool that is easy to use and can be used for a number of reasons. Whether you want to discover new ideas, edit from bigger to smaller, or come to a decision about something, you can use Walk and Talk without any preparation or extra materials. Please note that while Liz describes using the tool in terms of walking, not everyone has the same mobility, so you can practice Walk and Talk using any forms of movement available to you. The point is to be in some form of motion. You might be walking, sitting or laying down while moving your arms, torso, or head, or rolling in a wheel chair. Whichever you choose, keep your body in motion while continuously responding to the promps Liz shares throughout the video.

Overview

When trying this tool for the first time, set yourself up for movement so that you can still hear Liz’s guidance in the video. She first introduces the tool, then asks a series of prompts so you can practice. There is an on-screen timer, accompanied by some background sounds of former students using Walk and Talk. Once you learn Walk and Talk, it is easy to use spontaneously! You can create your own prompts, use questions from others as prompts, and change the amount of time for each round based on whether you want to expand or narrow in on the topic.

Some people already have ways of combining moving while talking. Do you? It may sound surprising, but the simple act of being in motion while allowing yourself to talk through something specific can lead to surprising discoveries and moments of clarity. Did you discover something new or unexpected while responding to Liz’s prompts? What other questions might you try using Walk and Talk with? If you want to synthesize your thinking about an idea, you can ask yourself a question and start with a 1 minute round. Then repeat the same question, but shorten the time to 30 seconds, then 20 seconds. Then challenge yourself to respond to the question in one sentence.