CEEPS On-Line Activity Database

Focus Roll

Type Audience Group Size Min. Time Equipment Source Contributor
Process Tool All ages Large 3 mins Flipchart paper or 3' sticks, tape, & marker Mexico Andrew Welch
intellact

Description

A kinaesthetic way to compare focusing on obstacles versus goals.

Instructions

Each participant lays out a sheet of flipchart paper lengthwise (short sides at top and bottom, long sides at left and right). (You can use the back of old flipchart paper for this too.)

Tell them to write their goal (in one or two words) in the top left corner, and their obstacle (in one or two words) in the bottom left corner. Then roll the paper up lengthwise to a diameter of about 1 inch, so that the goal is visible at one end and the obstacle is visible at the other.  Tape the roll. (If you are working with 3' sticks instead of flipchart paper, write the goal on tape at one end, and the obstacle on tape at the other.)

With the obstacle closest to their palm, invite each participant to balance their roll or stick vertically in one hand, keeping their eyes absolutely fixed on the obstacle.

Then ask them to shift their focus to the goal on top. Note the difference in their success and ease at balancing the paper roll upright.

Facilitator Notes

There are a couple of ways to explore this exercise metaphorically:

+  When was it easier to balance the roll?
+  What is significant about the placement of the obstacle and goal?
+  What happens when we focus on the obstacle that is close to us?
+  How might focusing on your particular goal help you to achieve it?

http://ceeps.ca/activities/FocusRoll.htm

Contents © Copyright 2006, Andrew Welch.  Please note and credit activity Source at the top of this document.