Celebration
If you’re looking for an opportunity to get up and moving, get participants laughing and playing and want to talk about the value of celebrating successes, this activity is for you!
Time Needed: 10-15 minutes
Group Size: Any
Materials: None
Directions: Begin with a quick discussion of how important it is to celebrate both big and small successes. Ask participants, “What kind of things count as big successes? What small successes also need to be celebrated, so that they are not overlooked?”
Next, invite everyone to find a partner and to create a unique handshake. Let them know that this handshake has to include at least three “elements.” These elements can be spins, head nods or any other movements. Encourage creativity! After about 2 minutes (or when you notice most people are done), call time and invite a few partners to demonstrate their handshakes.
Then, ask them to do their handshake one more time and, as quickly as they can, find a new partner. Once they are with their new partner, tell them to create their a three element high five. After about 2 minutes (or when you notice most people are done), call time and ask for a few volunteers to demonstrate their technique.
Next, ask them to do their high five one more time and, as quickly as they can, find a third partner. Once they are with their new partner, explain that this time, they will be creating a celebration dance with at least three elements. Share that this dance is the dance they’ll do when they score the winning touchdown, get the “A” they’ve been working toward or receive a college scholarship.
Now, explain that the REAL fun begins – and that for the next several minutes whenever you shout, “Handshake!” everybody finds their “handshake” partner and does their handshake, when you shout “high five!” everybody finds their “high five” partner and does their high five and when you shout “Celebrate!” everybody finds their “celebration” partner and does their celebration dance.
If you’re so inclined, throughout the rest of your training session, a well-timed celebration can quickly transform uninspired individuals back into a laughing, energized team.