Profound? no...but its always been helpful for me...

When you hike set a pace you can keep all day:

If you start out like a shot your likely to be wore out when you get to your destination. If you push too hard your also more likely to injure yourself. Take your time.

Every once and a while stop and look around:

Its important to help keep your bearings. Also you can miss some really beautiful and amazing things if your staring at your feet all day. It also helps keep me alert which is important if your backpacking solo.