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It is likely that you have been in a meeting or lecture where there were awkward silences, people who don't participate, and a general feeling of disconnectedness. Icebreakers can help infuse some much-needed energy into these unproductive meetings.

Icebreakers are little exercises that help relax tension and loosen up a formal atmosphere. Starting a meeting or brainstorm with an icebreaker can help get the creative juices flowing and get everyone in a mood to participate.

An icebreaker should not exceed 15 minutes. After all, you do want to get something done, don't you? You should also pay attention to the age of your group and the skills required to complete the icebreaker. You don't want to make an elderly gentleman hop around the room like a bunny or ask a 5 year old to solve a complex puzzle.

soph-is-try

noun :: Fallacious reasoning. Faulty logic.

"Sherlock Holmes grew tired of the detective's sophistry and told him to leave the case to the pros."

Earlier, we discussed the Link System for remembering lists. Let's practice! We have provided a list of objects to memorize and some example links for you to use if you want. You will have better success if you make up your own links. Spend at least 2 minutes visualizing these objects and links and you should have no problem remembering them.

List:
Cheese, Giraffe, Batteries, Water, Space Shuttle, Rose, Tire, Saw, Grass, Moon

Example links:
A giraffe eating a big cheese wheel.
Putting new batteries into your robotic giraffe.
Batteries getting shorted out and sparking when put in water.
A space shuttle flying underwater.
A miniature space shuttle buzzing around a rose.
A huge tire rolling down a hill and squashing a rose.
A tire with saw blades sticking out dangerously.
Using a saw to cut your grass.
Looking at a moon in a telescope and seeing it covered in grass.

After you have visualized your links, close your eyes and try to recall the entire list. See how easy it was? To prove the effectiveness of this technique, make up a different list and try to memorize it without using the Link System or any other mnemonic.

The muscles in the shoulders are a very common place for people to carry tension from being under stress. One way to feel less stressed is to reduce this tension. This simple stretching exercise will help you do just that.

1. Start in a standing position with good posture and make sure that you are breathing properly throughout the exercise.

2. Slowly lift both shoulders up towards your head and hold for a few seconds. Release back to normal. Repeat a few times.

3. Slowly rotate your right shoulder in a circle (up, back, down, forward) a few times. Repeat with your left shoulder. Then switch directions and repeat.

4. Slowly tilt your head towards one shoulder and feel the stretch. Now move your head back to the center and go to the other side. Repeat several times.

5. Slowly turn your head so you are looking over your shoulder. Return to the center and then go to the other side. Feel the stretch. Repeat several times.

6. Remain standing and take several deep breaths before finishing.