This activity is designed to purposefully take the difficulties in your life or work and look at these challenges in a humorous way. Think of a problem or issue facing you right now and play with ways to turn it into fun. Here are some ideas to get you started:
• Take two incongruent items and see how you can make them relate. Here are some examples:
Complying with audits is like a microwave because . . .
Our staff is like the Beatles because . . .
Our budget is like blueberries because . . .
• Create a top ten list of why this particular challenge is a good thing. For example, a group had just had major budget cuts, and there were no more light bulbs to be purchased for the year. They had a top ten list of why it was great to be in the dark, including:
Can't see the dust bunnies
Can't observe any behavior problems
Don't need sunglasses
• Do a "survivor" show. Make a list of all of the worst things that have ever happened to staff members. Staff members write these on papers (anonymously), and a list is compiled. Teams are created to brainstorm survivor strategies.
• Exaggerate the problem. Be creative.
• Brainstorm how cheese can be used as a strategy to market your business. Have a wine and cheese party, and bring the book Who Moved My Cheese? (Johnson, 1998). Wear a cheese head (Wisconsin Packers fans will assist you here). Ideas generate lots of additional ideas, and fun happens!