Method Tag: energizer

  • Nippon!

    Nippon!

    Quick introduction

    A fast energizer to get your team’s energy back.

    Instructions

    Stand in a circle. One person starts off by shouting ‘NIPPON!!’ while making an angry face, a downwards O with both arms and bends the knees. After this, the others in the circle copy this. Then, the NIPPON-initiator starts air-punching someone next to him using a ‘Huh’ sound. The receiver copies this.

    The receivers neighbour can do the same or choose to throw a spell across the circle. This happens by raising the hands above the head and throwing an imaginary item to that person while shouting “ATA- NAMA!’. The receiver has to defend ‘his house’ by raising his hands above the head and make a roof shape while shouting “SINSEI KINOMO!” and bend the knees.

    If the receiver hesitates or uses the wrong words, he is out of the game. Before leaving, he needs to dance a humiliating dance. After a person is kicked out, anyone can start the game again.

  • The Machine

    The Machine

    Quick introduction

    The Machine is an exercise to get the creativity flowing.

    Purpose

    A short break in work creates energy.

    Instructions

    One person starts making a sound and a move- ment, eg a “woop”-sound, flapping one arm.

    The next person connects to the first part in our machine, also making a sound and a movement.

    You keep repeating the sound/movement until everyone in the group is connected, making it a giant moving noisy machine! Works best with big groups.

  • Brain shifter

    Brain shifter

    Purpose

    Create new ideas that you never thought about before. Bonus: Laugh and have fun in your group while you learn more about yourself and the group.

    Instructions

    1. Start by putting up a large paper on a wall (at least A1 size)
    2. Get in to character by changing your mindset and try to think like another person. E.g imagine that you are a child, a lawyer, a salsa dancer or why not a superhero? The ambitious ones can also dress up as their chosen character to give extra effect to their brainstorm.
    3. Start by drawing your thoughts on the paper. Let’s say you have chosen to be a dancer, then you could for example dance salsa while you draw your ideas on the idea-mindmap. Be sure to take turns in the group.
    4. When the time runs out you should kill your darlings and select the best idea by using Idea voting.

    Do:

    • Think and play around as much as you can.
    • Use a lot of colors when you draw the mindmap.
    • Always build on the ideas of others in order to make this a crazy idea-mindmap

    Don’t:

    • Forget to challenge your comfort zone by choosing new characters.

    Timeframe

    Total time for the brainstorm will be 1 hour. A 45 minutes session with a 10 min break, 15 minutes to kill your darlings.

    During the break you need to do 5 handstand pushups times 3. Take a glass of water and start again. The purpose with this energizer is to get blood to your brain as well as helping you stay in shape.

    Facilitator role:

    Take time on actual brainstorm and to signal when it’s time for a break. The Facilitator should also bring props for the people in your group to fully get into their characters.

    Reflection questions

    • How was it?
    • Did you feel that this was valuable for your work? In what way?
  • Silly dancing

    Silly dancing

    Movie by: Kenneth Larsen

    Quick introduction

    Silly dancing is an energizer with a big portion of silly-ness.

    Purpose

    A short break in work creates energy.

    Instructions

    Stand up. You need to have your group gathered in a place with a lot of space. Dancy music played out loud is also needed! One person now has to lead the dance, and the others follow. Send around the lead dance task until everyone has been the leader of the dancer.

    Do:

    • Let everyone lead the dance
    • Choose a good dance song to dance to
    • Crazy moves
    • Have fun!

    Don’t:

    • Stay to long on each lead dancer

    Facilitator role:

    Start up the session, check up that you have what you need for the session, and most important: join in, lead by example!