Role-Playing: Overcoming Challenges with Intentness

By Adam Taylor
Part of Initiative and Intentness

About this activity

Author: Adam Taylor
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During this activity, participants will engage in a role-playing exercise that focuses on overcoming challenges with intentness. They will practice staying focused on their goals and maintaining unwavering determination in the face of obstacles or distractions.

Participants will be divided into pairs or small groups, and each group will be given a scenario that presents a challenge related to their goals. They will then take turns playing the role of the individual facing the challenge and the supportive partner offering encouragement and solutions.

This activity encourages participants to embody the qualities of intentness and resilience as they navigate through various scenarios. It provides a practical and interactive way for them to apply the concepts learned during the lesson and develop strategies for overcoming obstacles in their pursuit of success.

Introduction: In today's lesson, we will focus on the concept of intentness as part of John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. Intentness is the quality of being determined and unwavering in achieving your goals. It involves staying focused, persevering through challenges, and maintaining a positive attitude even when faced with obstacles.

Worksheet:

  • Example 1: Imagine you have a goal to improve your grades in math. What are some ways you can show intentness in achieving this goal?
  • Example 2: You have a project deadline approaching, but you encounter unexpected setbacks. How can you demonstrate intentness in overcoming these challenges?
  • Example 3: You are a member of a team working on a group project. One team member is not contributing their fair share. How can you exhibit intentness in addressing this issue and ensuring the success of the project?
  • Example 4: You have been training for a marathon for several months. On the day of the race, you start experiencing cramps and fatigue. How can you apply intentness to push through and finish the race?
  • Example 5: In a real-world scenario, you are faced with a difficult decision at work that requires you to take a risk. How can you use intentness to make a well-thought-out decision and see it through to completion?
  • Example 6: A personal challenge arises that tests your determination and resolve. How can you demonstrate intentness in overcoming this obstacle and achieving your desired outcome?

Answers:

Answers will vary for each example, but key points to consider include setting clear goals, staying motivated, seeking support when needed, adapting to unforeseen circumstances, and maintaining a positive mindset throughout the process.

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  1. Problem: You are a team captain and one of your teammates is consistently late to practice. How do you address this issue with intentness?
    Answer: Schedule a meeting with the teammate to discuss the importance of punctuality and the impact it has on the team's success.
  2. Problem: Your group project partner is not contributing equally to the assignment. How can you demonstrate intentness in resolving this issue?
    Answer: Have a discussion with your partner to clearly outline expectations and responsibilities, and create a plan to ensure equal contribution.
  3. Problem: You are struggling to meet a deadline for an important project. How can you use intentness to overcome this challenge?
    Answer: Break down the project into smaller tasks, create a timeline with specific deadlines for each task, and commit to completing them diligently.
  4. Problem: You are facing a difficult decision that requires careful consideration. How can you apply intentness in making the best choice?
    Answer: Gather all relevant information, weigh the pros and cons of each option, seek advice from trusted individuals, and make a well-thought-out decision.
  5. Problem: You have set a goal to improve your fitness level, but struggle to stay motivated. How can intentness help you stay on track?
    Answer: Create a detailed workout plan, track your progress regularly, find a workout buddy for accountability, and remind yourself of the benefits of achieving your fitness goal.
  6. Problem: You are experiencing writer's block while working on a creative project. How can intentness assist you in overcoming this obstacle?
    Answer: Take a break to clear your mind, set specific time blocks for writing, brainstorm ideas, and commit to writing consistently even when inspiration is lacking.
  7. Problem: Your team is facing internal conflicts that are affecting collaboration. How can you demonstrate intentness in resolving these conflicts?
    Answer: Facilitate a team meeting to openly discuss the issues, encourage active listening and empathy, work together to find solutions, and commit to improving team dynamics.
  8. Problem: You are struggling with public speaking anxiety before a presentation. How can intentness help you overcome this fear?
    Answer: Practice your presentation multiple times, visualize a successful outcome, focus on the message you want to convey, and approach the challenge with determination and confidence.
  9. Problem: You are tasked with learning a new skill that seems challenging. How can you apply intentness to master this skill?
    Answer: Break down the skill into manageable steps, seek guidance from experts or mentors, practice consistently, track your progress, and maintain a positive mindset towards learning and improvement.
  10. Problem: You are faced with a complex problem at work that requires innovative solutions. How can intentness help you navigate through this challenge?
    Answer: Research different approaches, brainstorm ideas with colleagues, experiment with potential solutions, persist in finding a viable resolution, and adapt your strategies based on feedback and results.
  1. Set the scene: Provide a brief overview of the scenario or challenge students will be role-playing.
  2. Assign roles: Divide the students into pairs or small groups and assign each group a specific role to play in the scenario.
  3. Explain the rules: Clearly outline the objectives of the role-play, including the challenge they need to overcome and the behaviors that demonstrate intentness.
  4. Give time to prepare: Allow students a few minutes to discuss and strategize how they will approach the role-play based on their assigned roles.
  5. Start the role-play: Let each group perform their role-play in front of the class, encouraging them to demonstrate intentness in overcoming the challenge.
  6. Facilitate reflection: After each role-play, facilitate a discussion where students can reflect on the behaviors they observed related to intentness and provide feedback to their peers.
  7. Repeat and rotate roles: Encourage multiple rounds of role-playing with different scenarios to give students the opportunity to practice and develop their intentness skills.
  8. Conclude with a debrief: Wrap up the activity by discussing key takeaways, reinforcing the importance of intentness in facing challenges, and how it relates to John Wooden's Pyramid of Success.
  • Game 1: Obstacle Course Challenge
    1. Set up an obstacle course in the classroom or outdoors with items like cones, ropes, and chairs.
    2. Divide students into teams and explain that they have to navigate the course as quickly as possible without touching any obstacles.
    3. Emphasize the importance of focus and intentness in overcoming challenges.
    4. Time each team as they complete the course and declare the fastest team as the winner.
  • Game 2: Role-Playing Scenarios
    1. Create various scenarios where students have to overcome challenges using intentness and initiative.
    2. Assign roles to students and ask them to act out the scenarios in front of the class.
    3. Encourage students to come up with creative solutions to the challenges presented.
    4. Discuss the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving success.
  • Game 3: Decision-Making Challenge
    1. Present students with a series of challenging scenarios where they have to make quick decisions.
    2. Explain that each decision they make should demonstrate intentness and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
    3. Discuss the outcomes of each decision and how they align with the principles of John Wooden's Pyramid of Success.
    4. Reflect on the importance of being decisive and assertive in overcoming obstacles.