Post-it Prophecies
Post-it Prophecies is a small welcome or closing ritual in which the facilitator writes a short message for every participant, folds each one into a closed sticky-note parcel and leaves it for people to open. The format is published by the facilitation agency Mischief Makers. The messages can be encouragement, a quotation, a question or a fact, and the moment can stay private or be used as a prompt for a conversation in pairs.
Facilitation script
- 1
With parcels already on the seats, welcome the group and ask people to leave them closed until everyone has arrived.
1 min - 2
Invite everyone to open their parcel and read the prophecy quietly.
2 min - 3
Pairs share what they received and what it brings up for them in relation to the session or their work.
6 min - 4
Take three or four voices in the whole group and connect what you hear to the purpose of the day.
4 min
Tips
Write the messages by hand; the visible effort is most of the effect.
Test every message against the least enthusiastic person in the room and drop anything that reads as a horoscope or as pressure to be cheerful.
If you plan a sharing step, write questions or thought-starters rather than compliments, because compliments are awkward to read aloud.
Make more parcels than you have participants so that late arrivals are not left out.
Common pitfalls
Messages that are personal to one imagined recipient, which then land with the wrong person once the parcels are distributed at random
Underestimating the preparation: writing and folding takes a few minutes per parcel, and a rushed batch looks careless, which defeats the purpose
Forcing everyone to read their prophecy aloud, which puts people on the spot over a text they did not choose
Parcels that are too intricate to open, so that the paper tears or the reveal turns into a fiddly distraction
Having exactly as many parcels as registered participants, leaving unexpected guests or late joiners visibly without one
Variations
Closing version: hand the parcels out at the end as something to take away, with a message that points to the next step after the workshop. Peer version: participants write a prophecy for someone else at the end of the day, fold it and place it on that person's seat for the next morning. Prompt version: every parcel contains a different question on the session topic, and pairs discuss both of theirs. Remote version: send each person a private message at the same moment or reveal hidden notes on a shared board; the folded parcel is lost, so keep the shared reading moment.
Where it fits
When to use it
Participants arrive at an offsite and you want the room to signal that someone has prepared for them personally
A session needs a gentle start for people who would find a spoken icebreaker uncomfortable
You want to hand each pair a different question without reading out a list
The end of a workshop should include a small take-away object
A long programme needs a low-effort moment of surprise on the second or third morning
When not to use it
You need participants to get to know each other; the ritual involves little interaction, so add Fun Facts or Trading Cards
The group is very large and you have no time to prepare; printed Quotes that people draw from a pile need far less handwork
The mood is serious, for example after redundancies; upbeat fortunes will jar, and a plain check-in round is more honest
You want to express appreciation that is specific to each person; generic messages cannot do that, so use the Appreciations Exercise
The audience is sceptical of anything playful and the session has no other light elements; one isolated gimmick tends to be dismissed
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
What is Post-it Prophecies?▾
Post-it Prophecies is a facilitation ritual in which each participant receives a small folded sticky-note parcel containing a short handwritten message. The messages can be encouraging, thought-provoking or simply informative. Participants open them at the same time, and the facilitator can leave it there or use the messages to start a conversation.
What do you write on the notes?▾
Short lines that fit the purpose of the session: a kind observation, a quotation with its author, an open question, a small dare or a surprising fact. Keep each to one sentence and make sure any message would suit any participant. If you intend to have people discuss them, questions work best.
How long does it take?▾
In the session it takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on whether you include sharing in pairs and in the group. Preparation is the larger part: allow a few minutes per parcel for writing and folding.
How do you fold the notes?▾
Any fold that hides the text and opens without tearing is fine. The published version uses a simple origami pouch that holds a paper strip inside a sticky note. A note folded in thirds and sealed with its own adhesive edge is a quicker alternative.
Is it suitable for large groups?▾
The ritual itself has no upper limit, since everyone opens their parcel at once. The limit is preparation time, so for very large groups recruit helpers to write and fold, or reduce the number of different messages.
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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 Mischief Makers.