{"id":26201,"date":"2025-01-08T08:00:41","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T13:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?p=26201"},"modified":"2025-12-16T16:47:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T21:47:02","slug":"fast-walker-what-does-that-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2025\/01\/fast-walker-what-does-that-mean.html","title":{"rendered":"Fast Walker? What Does That Mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

My whole life I\u2019ve been told that I walk fast. My dad did too, so perhaps it\u2019s genetic. In the halls of the medical school, people hear my heels clicking and know I\u2019m coming around the corner before they see me. And when my family and I visit big cities, my pace becomes a mild source of irritation. \u201cSlow down,\u201d they tell me, often and repeatedly.<\/p>\n

Recently, I finally learned what this might be about. My husband came across an article describing the personality traits of fast walkers, and it turns out there\u2019s actual research behind this everyday habit. Naturally, I had to read it. And I have to say that it made me feel better about walking fast. I love that someone studied this, and even better, the findings suggest that fast walking isn\u2019t a flaw at all.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what the science suggests about fast walkers:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Fast walkers are goal-directed.<\/strong>
    Yes, we\u2019re trying to get from Point A to Point B, and our walking has intention. We\u2019re not particularly interested in a leisurely stroll when there\u2019s somewhere to be. Fast walking reflects efficiency and is often associated with conscientiousness, discipline, and reliability. Let\u2019s just get where we\u2019re going.<\/li>\n
  2. Fast walkers tend to be extraverted.<\/strong>
    This connection surprised me at first, but it fits. You need energy to maintain a brisk pace, and usually there\u2019s something waiting for you at your destination. Fast walkers often show high engagement with the world and a readiness to act.<\/li>\n
  3. Fast walkers are less sensitive to stress.<\/strong>
    This one made me smile. My daughter often says, \u201cSlow down! You\u2019re breezing past everyone.\u201d But that doesn\u2019t worry me. I\u2019m focused on where I\u2019m headed, not on the reactions of passersby. This trait reflects a steady resilience and confidence. I just keep moving forward without excessive concern about external distractions. And no, I\u2019m not bulldozing people along the way, but I\u2019m not wasting time either.<\/li>\n
  4. Fast walkers can be agreeable.<\/strong>
    This may sound counterintuitive, but it\u2019s true. When my husband and I walk together most days, I slow my pace to match his. He walks more slowly thanks in part to knees worn down by college soccer. (I\u2019d argue that being tossed around as a college cheerleader wasn\u2019t exactly easy on my joints either.) Still, I can adapt and be flexible, even if I\u2019m secretly thinking,Come on, let\u2019s get that blood pumping.<\/em><\/li>\n
  5. Fast walkers are assertive.<\/strong>
    This one resonates deeply. Walking fast signals purpose. I know where I\u2019m going, and I\u2019m asserting my pace to get there. There\u2019s a sense of confidence in claiming the ground beneath your feet and moving forward decisively.<\/li>\n
  6. Fast walkers are ambitious.<\/strong>
    Closely related to assertiveness, ambition shows up as urgency. There\u2019s something to accomplish and moving faster means getting more done. The quicker I move, the more life I can fit into the day.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So, if, like me, you\u2019re often criticized for outpacing your walking companions, take the feedback graciously, but don\u2019t internalize it as a flaw. I\u2019ll always accommodate those around me when needed. But when I\u2019m flying solo, I\u2019m keeping my pace. After all, those fast steps carry purpose and apparently, a whole lot of personality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    My whole life I\u2019ve been told that I walk fast. My dad did too, so perhaps it\u2019s genetic. In the halls of the medical school, people hear my heels clicking and know I\u2019m coming around the corner before they see me. And when my family and I visit big cities, my pace becomes a mild…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[925],"tags":[1470,4353,9575,9572,9569,1468,17,94],"class_list":["post-26201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mintle-mentions","tag-agreeable","tag-ambition","tag-assertive","tag-extraverts","tag-fast-walker","tag-personality","tag-stress-2","tag-walking"],"yoast_head":"\nFast Walker? 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