I’m here for the warm-up
These days we’re sliding out of one Zoom meeting into another; our bodies rarely move just our screens — it’s weird. I find going into my next meeting there’s lingering thoughts, questions, a quick slack message and ideas from the last conversation. I’d be a better workmate if I could focus my attention on the meeting happening in the present moment. During this new normal of WFH (it’s not normal we’re living in a time of great anxiety and trauma — let’s be honest) I’ve discovered the importance of kicking off a creative meeting such as brainstorm or ideation with a warm-up.
**I’m not the author/creator/inventor of any of these, but here are a few of my favorites tools.**
Draw a Vase
Ask everyone to grab a sheet of paper and marker. I like markers because they are big and they come in lots of colors and who doesn’t love a little color. This exercise isn’t about pretty details. Ask everyone to draw a vase.
When they are done, share it with the group. I act as the participant and facilitator and comment on the vases shared. Some will have flowers in them, others won’t. Create space for anyone who wants to talk about their vase.
Next, ask the group to get a clean sheet of paper and draw a solution to this question.
How might we enjoy flowers?
Give the group around 90 seconds to two minutes.
When everyone is done they can share what they have come up with; at this moment you’ll see all sorts of different and creative ways people enjoy flowers.
I’ve seen pressed flowers, flowers in food, flower boxes, running in a field of flowers. After taking a few moments and allowing anyone to talk about their picture; ask the group to hold up their drawings side by side.
I then explain this is an exercise about reframing how we think. Sure! a vase is one way to hold and enjoy flowers. When the question, “How might we enjoy flowers? is asked it allows for lots of creative ideas and we can see that in all the different solutions drawn!
Gallery View Draw
Ask everyone in the meeting to get a piece of paper and marker/pen.
Next, ask for everyone to put the meeting view in Gallery View.
Ask people to pick someone they see in the gallery and sketch them. Give them maybe 2 mins. When done hold up your picture and see if the group can tell who drew who. It’s a really fun way to be creative and have a bit of fun with your team.
Tonglen Meditation
Tonglen Meditation is a tool I learned from reading and listening to Pema Chödrön, an American Tibetian Buddhist. She’s my hero and has been my heart guide in a number of tough moments.
Tonglen is the Tibetan practice of “sending and receiving.” Sitting in a comfortable position and focusing on the breath.
- Close your eyes. Imagine someone like a friend or a loved one, or a group of people. It can even be a dear pet that you want to help. Focus this on the person, group or pet and on their struggle.
- Breathe in. As you do, focus on the heaviness of their negative energy and of the things that ail them. Imagine yourself breathing in their discomfort or suffering. As you do this picture that you are breathing in their pain so you remove it from their bodies, giving them room for comfort, healing and positivity.
- Breathe out. As you breathe out, breathe happiness and peace out into the world. Think about what you think would bring them comfort or joy. Focus on that and breathe it out into the world. Imagine that breath traveling to those you want to help and having it fill that empty space with what they need.
- Repeat. Continue this practice of breathing in pain and breathing out peace over and over again until your session is over.
You can watch Pema Chödrön leading a Tonglen meditation here.
Six-word memoir
New office chair is yoga ball.
Ask the group to tell a six-word memoir. I always leave this open to interpretation, telling the group they can consider their “memoir” life in the last 6 hours, 6 weeks or whole life. I usually give the group around two to three minutes; saying when time is up, they are free to share but sharing is not mandatory. I always write something and share because sometimes you just need someone to kick it off.
Do you have a warm-up you love? Share! I am always looking for new ideas and methods to help create an inviting, inclusive, and safe creative space.
