I used to think… now I think

Used To Think Now I Think

This activity invites participants to reflect on something they have seen, heard or read and notice the change in their thinking.

We are constantly developing our understanding, building our awareness and adjusting our perception of things. This is our growth mindset in action!

Activity Instructions

Display

Show the I used to think…Now I think image on the screen for everyone to see. You can download this here.

I Used To Think Now I Think Display Slide

Writing Time

Give everyone 2 minutes to write down their initial ideas. They should complete the sentence "I used to think… Now I think" based on their experiences and insights. Encourage them to be honest and thoughtful in their reflections.

Shoulder Partner Sharing

After the writing time, ask participants to share their reflections with a shoulder partner in 3 mins of discussion time.

Group Sharing

Invite participants to share their thoughts with the entire group. This can be done in a round-robin format or by volunteering. Ensure that everyone has an opportunity to speak if they wish to.

Discussion

Facilitate a group discussion based on the shared reflections. Ask open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking and dialogue.

For example:

  • "What prompted you to your change in thinking?"
  • "How might these new insights inform our
    work?"
  • “What are the implications in this change of thinking?”

Conclusion

Summarise the key points discussed and thank everyone for their participation. Highlight any common themes or insights that emerged during the activity. Encourage participants to continue reflecting on their evolving perspectives.

PDF Instructions

You may prefer to download and print a copy of these instructions to help facilitate the I used to think... now I think activity.