• For each group: markers, two flip charts, and masking tape for posting flip-chart sheets
• For each participant: one sheet each of three different colors of sticking dots (1?2” diameter) and one pad of 4 x 6 Post-it® Notes
Time
45 minutes
Related Activities
• Stereotype [10]
• We Have Met the Problem and It Is We [48]
• Super Heroes [80]
Procedure
1. Instruct the participants verbally as follows:
• Release all your tension and try to relax as much as possible.
• Visualize a soft, glowing white light surrounding your body. Allow the light to make you feel secure and comfortable.
• Think of your favorite place (house, mountain, forest, stream, boat).
• Visualize yourself walking into this place. Notice all the details. Try to imagine what it looks like. Experience any sounds, textures, or smells.
Absorb as much as you can. • Imagine your personal mentor walking toward you. Look closely at his or her
face. What are you experiencing? Think of any special feelings or emotions.
Include as much detail as possible.
• Say to your mentor, “Please be my guide and help me think of new ideas. Lead
me in resolving my problem.”
• Tell your mentor about your problem. Give him or her as much relevant information
as you can. Try to keep your interaction realistic. Listen carefully whenever
your mentor speaks to you. Don’t be discouraged if ideas don’t pop out
suddenly. It takes time.
2. Tell them to write down any ideas on Post-it® Notes (one idea per note) and place
them on flip charts for evaluation.
Debrief/Discussion
It is difficult to fathom the full potential of the human mind, especially the subconscious.
We should try to appreciate its ability to help us resolve problems. Imaginary Mentor is a
good start. However, some people may have difficulty being engaged by this technique. It
may be too abstract or esoteric and not concrete enough for them to respond with new
ideas. Try to engage the participants in a discussion about the usefulness of such visually
oriented approaches and what types of people might benefit most from them.
Also consider having participants debrief using the following questions:
• What was most helpful about this exercise?
• What was most challenging?
• What can we apply?
• How would you rate the value of this exercise to helping us with this issue?
• Will this exercise be helpful in the future for other sessions?
• What did you learn?
• What will we be able to use from this exercise?
• What ideas were generated, and which ones were most interesting?
Taken From : Pfeiffer 101 Activities for Teaching Creativity
