A mindfulness workout that assists us to take the position of not-knowing and to acknowledge how rapidly we let ourselves be directed by our impression. With this predisposition we frequently miss out on the opportunity to check out options and therefore leave even better options revealed.

In this mindfulness workout, individuals are welcomed to take a look at an item with their eyes closed, so they count on all other senses. Due to the strong odor of a tic-tac mini box, the individuals are lured to come to the incorrect conclusion “too rapidly” and error the item for a tic-tac. So they stop checking out and miss out on the proper service.

Product

• Tic-tac minis– one box per individual (readily available e.g. here).
• Raisins, cranberries, goji berries, nuts (keep an eye out for allergic reactions!), chocolate raisins or comparable to fill the Tic-tac box

Preparation

Eliminate tic-tac from box and fill with an option, cover packages, so individuals can’t see items.
Have individuals sit, welcome them to close eyes

Assistance

• Present workout, ask individuals to close eyes, open one hand and be totally in the minute.
• Give out tic-tac boxes
• Instruct to take a look at the item gotten (with eyes closed) by utilizing all staying senses (” How does it odor, how does it feel, what can you hear, and so on?”)
• After a long time, deal with that it is a box that can be opened– which it includes another item
• Now let them get the item– still with eyes closed
• Continue to remain in the minute– and oddly check out, utilizing all other senses
• Ask the individuals to observe the mind also, how the ideas alter in addition to the altered understanding
• Now the item might be put in the mouth, initially as a little bite, then as a whole.
• Then check out with the mouth (whoever wishes to)– however do not chew yet!
• Continually welcome to observe ideas (” what modifications?”).
• Continue to check out the items in the mouth (” how does the taste modification?, the consistency and so on”).
• Lastly, chew. And after that later on likewise swallow, while continuing to observe.

Reflection

• Invite individuals to share experiences.
• ” How was it to discover how rapidly the mind makes a (apparently proper) classification? Does this take place in daily life, too”?
• Do NOT expose that various items have actually been analyzed by the individuals. This is a great insight you may expose at the end If the group is not discovering it out for itself
• State how merely everybody is taking its own truth to be likewise the truth of the others– although its not

Additional insights

• Impression (” Aha, tic-tac!”)– is incorrect, although one is definitely sure to “understand” that.
• Genuine surprise that something else remains in package– although the odor is extremely clear!
• Resistance and insecurity to put something in the mouth, which is not understood and which one is unable to see with the main sense. (Excellent chance to describe trust levels, too)

The workout and the findings from the reflection can be utilized for an exchange about understanding, rash conclusions, unpredictability, interest and trust and therefore work as a simple entry into a conversation about the posture of not-knowing.

What ends up being possible for us as Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, Item Owners or Agile leaders if we stay longer in the posture of not-knowing without leaping to conclusions too quickly?

Which other experiences have you had with this workout? Please share in the remarks!

WYTIWYG ist influenced by Eric McCollums workout “Consume simply one raisin” released in Nelson (2012 ), Education and Training in Service Focused Short Treatment; Haworth Press, New York City.