Did you ever look at people walking down the street by themselves? Are they really alone? Or, are they talking on their cellphones as they walk through the city.?

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says,” What about distracted walking? What are the consequences of pedestrians talking on the phone, texting, listening to music, or engaging deeply in conversation with the person next to them? Today, more and more people are falling down stairs, tripping over curbs and other streetscapes and, in many instances, stepping into traffic, causing cuts, bruises, sprains, and fractures,” said Alan Hilibrand, MD, chair of the AAOS Communications Cabinet. “In fact, the number of injuries to pedestrians using their phones has more than doubled since 2004, and surveys have shown that 60% of pedestrians are distracted by other activities while walking.”

Excerpts from the article on “Distracted Walking” on the AAOS website: To learn more about the perceptions and behaviors associated with distracted walking, AAOS commissioned a Distracted Walking Study in 2015. The study involved 2,000 respondents nationally, and another 500 respondents in each of the following eight cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, Phoenix, Atlanta and Seattle.

First, while 78% of U.S. adults believe that distracted walking is a “serious” issue; three-quarters of Americans say it’s “other people” who walk distracted. Only 29% of respondents admit that they, personally, have an issue. And the sense of “it’s not me, it’s you” cuts across a range of distracted walking behaviors:
* Ninety percent say they see walkers talking on the phone (and 37% admit doing so themselves)
* Eighty-eight percent engaging in conversation (vs. 75% themselves)
* Eighty-eight percent listening to music (vs. 34% themselves)
* Eighty-five percent using a smartphone (vs. 28% themselves)
* Sixty-four percent generally “zoning out” (vs. 38% themselves)

How is this related to practicing your instrument? I see a direct correlation. I believe that focused attention on practicing can be enhanced by walking without devices. How? When you are walking WITHOUT your cellphone or devices, you are actually forced to be in your own company, to be solitary with your thoughts, to tolerate your own company, to enjoy nature or just see the sights around you. How many of you can do that on a regular basis?

If you can do this for, let’s say, a half hour, then, perhaps, you can also sit alone to practice your instrument for a quality practice session. Sitting in a room, alone, paying attention to the music and the technique of your instrument is the only way to learn and improve. It may be more difficult for you because, if you think about it, when are you ever really alone and focused on working on a skill? If you can’t even walk down the street, or in the park, or sit quietly on your deck by yourself, then, how can you truly and happily focus on practicing your instrument?

I thought of all this today while walking in NYC today (yes, without my cell phone). I noticed over 75% (my guesstimate) of people were either talking on their cell phones or listening to something. Even babies!!! Would you believe that children in strollers have cell phones to watch videos? What about looking at the trees, or cars, or people around them? Even the nannies and parents pushing the strollers are on their devices!

I am proposing a challenge: Try taking a walk each day for half an hour alone without devices. Then, see how your practice time not only improves, but increases and is more productive. I am practicing what I preach and I find my own attention span increasing. Keep a record of your practice times and see how a daily solitary walk enhances your performance.