Activity 4.1.3 No Excuses

Purpose

To promote positive thinking

Materials

Handout–Just Do It! Workbook/journal

Time

1–2 hrs

Method

Part 1:

1. Brainstorm with participants about the meaning of the phrase “no excuses.” The facilitator should record their ideas on a blackboard or flipchart.
2. Ask the question: Why do we excuse ourselves from being the best that we can be? Write whatever answers you are offered.
3. Ask participants how they might use excuses in their own lives. For example, they might say: “I don’t have time to do my homework.”; “The bus is always late.”; or “I can’t get a good night’s sleep because I drink too much coffee.”
4. Writing exercise: participants are to reflect on what “no excuses” means to them and what their lives would feel or be like if they had “no excuses.”

Part 2:

The “Just do it!” phrase was an advertising slogan used by the Nike running shoe company. Their slogan propelled millions of people to become more active and physically fit.

1. Ask participants if they are familiar with the phrase “Just do it!” If participants are not familiar with the phrase, inform them of the company that used it. Ask and discuss what they think the outcome was for the company by using this as a slogan in their advertising.
2. Hand out the Just Do It! worksheet and ask participants to fill in their responses. Facilitators may choose to do this part of the exercise as a whole group or have participants work individually.