Life's Journey and the Journey of Life

In August 1980, I walked with a friend more than 450 miles from the north edge of Israel to its south edge. We did it as we wanted to challenge ourselves an see "how far can we go". It was a journey driven by the passion to experience physical and mental strength in a way we did not experience before. In one month, and an average walking of 15 miles a day, in the heat of Middle-East summer night and full moon over the Negev desert, I transformed my life for years to come. Not only this journey showed me what I am capable of, it taught me the lessons of my life, which I followed then in business, academic studies and social entrepreneurship projects. Here are the key lessons:

• Never compromise on anything other than true ambitious targets.
• Always be ready to go the extra mile to reach your goal.
• Take the necessary break from day to day life, and clear your body and mind so you can reinvent yourself, think clearly and implement dreaming
• Never yield to what others consider "impossible" - find the limits of possibilities yourself, and then dream on going beyond those limits
• Be brave, be bold, but be responsible and do not take unnecessary risks
• Observe and learn in order to develop your intellect and "go beyond your mind", reflect and build resilience to strengthen your soul
• When in difficulty, just remember what it took you then in 1980 - anything else looks easy in comparison
• Tell the story of the journey not in order to "boast", but in order to encourage others to find their path
• Admire nature, realize you are part of something much greater than you, and appreciate your own greatness in realizing just that
• Keep walking

This was a profound life-changing experience. Yet it gave me the tools to address any day to day challenge - when facing difficulties, I close my eyes, smile, and remember the amazing sights and feelings I experienced 30 years ago. Today I am using the story of the journey in order to inspire young leaders to develop their own life's journey. And I translate the insights I gained in order to help leaders explore the greatness in them - and let it grow.

As I celebrate 30 years since that journey, I decided that before turning 60 years, I shall walk again on the same route - but this time from south to north, and during Spring. I am sure I missed something when thinking and walking only in one direction....

And today, the launch of Strategy, Leadership and the Soul marks the first step in the next life changing journey. Writing a book with my co-author, Jennifer Sertl, over 5 years, between international trips – was a journey in its own right. And as my 450 mile walk changed my life, I am confident that the book, as a call for consciousness, will be a whole new journey