Everyday Hassles
This activity encourages participants to identify and explore positive reactions to everyday annoyances. It highlights how shifting our perspective can lead to constructive responses to frustrating situations.
How to run it
- 1
Organize participants into 4 to 6 teams of 3 to 7 members, ensuring similar team sizes.
- 2
Brief participants on taking personal responsibility, emphasizing that while we can't control external events, we can manage our reactions.
- 3
Provide examples of everyday hassles and ask teams to brainstorm alternative reactions.
- 4
Hand out one hassle envelope and four index cards to each team.
- 5
Conduct the first round by having teams discuss the hassle they've received and write down multiple positive reactions on the index cards within a 3-minute time limit.
Tips
Encourage open-mindedness when discussing alternative reactions.
Facilitate a supportive environment where all ideas are welcomed.
Use humor to lighten the mood when discussing everyday hassles.
Variations
Adapt the activity by focusing on specific themes, such as work-related hassles or personal challenges.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Everyday Hassles?â–¾
Use Everyday Hassles when you want to: team kickoff; retrospective closing; conflict resolution; stress management workshop.
How long does Everyday Hassles take?â–¾
Everyday Hassles typically takes 30–90 minutes.
How many participants does Everyday Hassles work for?â–¾
Everyday Hassles works best for groups of 10 or more.
What materials do I need for Everyday Hassles?â–¾
Everyday Hassles requires no special materials — just participants and a space.
How difficult is Everyday Hassles to facilitate?â–¾
Everyday Hassles is rated intermediate — some facilitation experience is helpful.
Plan your next workshop with AI
Workshop Weaver helps you combine methods like Everyday Hassles into a complete, timed agenda in minutes.
Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from SessionLab. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.