Communicate with Confidence/Project Report

              ENERGIZERS
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Introduction
" I'm thinking so hard my brain hurts1 '"
Many participants may be thinking this during
your presentation As soon as they have this thought,
people often simph stop listening Outward symptoms of
this problem include wiggling in chairs, drooping eyelids,
stifled yawns, excessive doodling or outright snoring The
cure is an encrgizer1
Every group needs energizing Create energy by
changing pace, introducing a novel idea or by providing a
controlled break Energizers provide a change in pace to
give our minds a break from absorbing information
Hints for Use
* Keep a supph of ideas on hand Energizers should be
seven minutes or shorter
* Cboose an acuvity that seems suitable for the group
* After the eoergizer, you'll need to bring the group back on
task. This offers you a chance to insert a mid- point summary
of the topic Recap your main points many people may
have missed points just before the energizer; spend a bit
more time on these Your goal, when you return to your
content is to get everyone starting at the
same point
* Practice giving energizer directions to others They
should be short, to the point and easy to follow
Samples
Fantasy games
Legalized daydreaming is one description of
fantasy games Participants close their eyes and the
instructor helps them dream a fantasy my dream trip, how
I'd spend a million dollars, or a walk through the
mountains In a soft voice, encourage people to visualize
and experience ihe sights, sounds, emotions, textures and
smells of the fantasy Fantasy games demand preplanning
and willing, adventurous ancfcreative participants.
Isometric exercizes
These exercizes consist of muscle contractions
made by exerting steady pressure They require little space,
and people don't sweat while doing isometrics. Background
music is a good addition to energizing exercizes. As a
leader, you should demonstrate and do exercizes along with
the group Several books are available on isometric
exercizes here are a few samples to get you started You can
do each either standing or sitting, unless otherwise stated
- mirror circle- Partners exert equal resistance palm
against palm; raise hands above head with a circular
movement, then out to sides and back to starting position
in one smooth continuous movement
- head clasp- Clasp hands across back of head; press back
and press hands forward.
- chair shrug- Sit straight on chair, grip chair seat sides;
keep feet flat on floor, knees slightly apart and body
straight; take a deep breath and try to shrug shoulders.
- muscle retraction- Standing, exhale fully, draw back
abdominal wall, contract buttocks; hold five to six seconds;
release, breathe and repeat.
- t a b l e press- Place hands on top of table and press down,
or place hands under table and press up
Simon says
This child's game can be fun and an exciting
energizer Most people are familiar with the game so keep
explanation short and simple As an energizer, you're not
trying to eliminate people, but to keep everyone involved.
Rules Participants must do only what Simon' says.
Choose from two possible formats.
• You're leader If someone is caught not doing as Simon
says or doing an order not proceeded by the words, " Simon
says," they move to the back of the room
' Divide participants into two groups facing each other.
Each selects a captain who gives orders for 30 seconds of
each round. As a leader, you keep track of the number of
people caught, to determine the winning team
Relaxation exercize
This quiet sitting energizer is useful during an
intense presentation You may also hear it called a stress
reduction exercize It is similar to a fantasy game but less
threatening Participants close eyes and concentrate on
tensing and relaxing exercizes You can verbally lead the
exercize or use a pre- taped program. You might say. " Tense
your feet by curling your toes ( allow people to hold this for
a couple seconds) Now relax your feet tense your leg
muscles, relax them...." Go on through stomach, arms,
chest, neck, shoulders and face. Allow participants to hold
final relaxed position quietly for 30 to 60 seconds. Then
instruct them to slowly open their eyes This exercise is
best followed by a coffee break