Million Steps Challenge: Walking 1,000,000 Steps in a Month
Could you walk a million steps in a month? Mihkel Kaasik from Telia decided to find out. During a February walking challenge in YuMuuv, he set himself a goal of 1,000,000 steps in 28 days – in a very cold climate. We asked if we could share his letter, because it captures what makes walking challenges so powerful better than we ever could.
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Mihkel's Million Steps Story
It's easy to forget ourselves in front of the computer at such a difficult time in our daily lives, and sooner or later the result is our mental imbalance, our nervousness, and bad health. For me, YuMuuv is essential in a challenging period like the one we have been experiencing, but also living in the middle of in the last few years – it's no secret that exercise produces happy hormones, which helps to keep everything in balance inside and outside!
All participants should ask themselves why they are taking part and what is their purpose? If someone who is not yet taking part because he thinks walking is boring and meaningless, I don't think so – it is the person who makes walking interesting for himself. Whether it is intense and athletic, or gentle and calm.
1. Setting the Goal
Do you settle for the minimum of a particular challenge or do you make an effort and set your landmark that you will purposefully seek for every day? After all, it's self-transcendence that fundamentally creates the strongest whole.
For example, my goal for the February walking challenge was: "can I walk 1 000 000 steps in 28 days?" Ambitious and scary at the same time, which meant that I had to walk at least 35714 steps a day in a very cold climate. But it seemed motivating enough for me to start chasing it with determination. It was very hard, but the result was worth it!
2. Walking for the Team
As for this month's challenge, it's quite interesting because it focuses on meeting group goals, so every step counts and it has a group effect. If I have the opportunity to help my unit, I will definitely do it and not with the minimum of the day, but more if possible.
3. A Morning Routine That Works
My morning starts a bit before 7am – I make a nice cup of coffee and walk out the door at 7:30–7:45am. We all have energy in the morning and my way is to put it into physical activity, in this case walking. The early morning sunrises that were at the beginning of November are particularly breathtaking. It's worth even getting up for that alone – some mornings are different, of course, but there's beauty in them all if you just want to see it.
4. Taking Meetings on the Move
As moving takes a considerable amount of time and we are living in an interesting period, I decided to take advantage of our technological solutions on this journey – no, you don't have to excuse that you have a meeting and can't move, just take the meeting with you on your journey! Works well! If your colleagues are sitting behind the table, but see you moving – I think at least some of them will change their minds!
5. Discipline
Discipline – not a foreign word to most, but it is a challenge to follow. Especially when you have set a goal, which at some point can become fragile due to the various factors that hinder the journey – don't give up and make excuses for today's bad weather, just get dressed and get it done! Afterward, when you're still over the line despite the difficulties, it's an amazing feeling!
– Mihkel Kaasik, Telia
How to Do a Million Steps Challenge
1. On Your Own
A million steps in a month is an extreme goal: about 35,700 steps a day over 28 days, or 33,300 a day over 30 days. That is several hours of walking every day, so it is not for everyone. If you want to try it, build up gradually, use comfortable shoes, spread walking across the day and listen to your body. Curious where the limits are? Read about the realistic maximum of daily steps.
2. As a Team
A million steps becomes very achievable as a team goal. A team of 10 people walking about 7,150 steps a day reaches a million in just two weeks. For a bigger company, you can scale up – for example, celebrating a company anniversary with millions of steps, or donating to charity for every million steps walked. See more office fitness challenge ideas and how to set up a step challenge at work.
Lessons for Your Company
- Let people set their own ambitions. Some want to just reach the goal; others, like Mihkel, want to push their limits.
- Use group goals. When every step helps the team, people go the extra mile.
- Normalize walking meetings. When colleagues see someone take a meeting on the move, others follow.
Take a Million Steps Together
When will we see your million steps? If the ideas are flowing and you want to walk with your colleagues, book a demo and let's take many millions of steps together. Read more customer stories for inspiration.
