Six Simple Celebrations for Your Next Training Course

Why save your celebrations for the end of your course? Mini-celebrations sprinkled throughout a learning experience spread the joy from start to finish. Stop thinking “party planning” and use the ideas below to begin thinking “cerebral celebrations.”
 
 How To: 

1. Reward your first volunteer of the day with a role of Lifesavers for being a … lifesaver! Keep PayDay candy bars on hand as another thank you gift for when a participant adds unique value to the day. 
2. If you use a participant in a role-play or demonstration, ask everyone to give them a round of applause for being a good sport. 
3. After partners have finished a task together, ask that they look at each other and say “Great work!”
4. When teams have finished a task, direct them to huddle up, put hands in the center and yell “TEAM” on the count of three.
5. Whenever a moment presents itself, be ready to start applauding. Your participants will follow your lead. (Universal Studios has their employees do this at the end of every ride.)
6. Cut giftwrap into 4 inch by 4 inch squares. Distribute the giftwrap and ask everyone to write a word of encouragement or inspirational quote on the back. Direct them to fold up the paper, stand up and swap three times around the room before opening their gift. Here are some of my favorite, inspirational quotes that I use in presentations. 

 
 
Virtual Variation
 

• If your platform has an applause feature, use it! If not, have a few slides in your collection that show applause or cheering. Build them into your slide deck at points where you plan to celebrate the learning.  

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