Activity 1.2.10 Re-Focus on a Problem

Purpose

To discover problem-solving techniques To practise mindfulness which can help to reduce stress

Materials

Large white sheets of paper (or flip-chart paper) and markers, a 15-minute timer is optional

Time

30 mins

Method

1. Ask participants to write a problem or concern using big letters on a large sheet of white paper.
2. This paper is to be taped to a wall and participants will then sit themselves in front of it.
3. Tell them they must focus only on the problem written on the paper.
4. Explain to the participants the purpose is not to try to come up with solutions. They should only sit quietly and stay staring at their paper for approximately 15 minutes.
5. At the end of the time period, ask participants to return to their seats.
6. Ask if anyone actually found a solution to their problem and/or if they gained any knowledge by doing this exercise.
7. Have participants reflect on this activity. Do they think that sitting still and focusing on only one problem at a time is helpful in finding a solution or that sitting with a problem without action is non-productive, etc.?
8. Because I have found that participants do get a solution popping into their head about one or two weeks later, facilitators may want to do a follow up at a later date.