The Power of Hesitation

August 6, 2012

The Power of Hesitation

Last week we brought out the parachute for a team game.  Initially the kids were very excited and wanted to shake the parachute as fast as they could, and we accommodated these urges.  After a couple of minutes it was time to work more as a team by lifting the parachute up and down in unison.  This took some practice because getting the timing of everyone doing the same thing at the same time was a struggle.  The group persevered and were ready to take the game to an other level.  A ball was placed in the middle, and the group needed to shoot it into the air by snapping the parachute.  Both the kids and staff were ready for the challenge and waited eagerly for the go-ahead.  The count down began with a 3..., 2..., hesitation and pause, 1..., yet an other hesitation and pause......GO!!!  The parachute was lifted up and then down.  The first few turns had mixed results, with the ball going various heights and directions, but then finally the ball shot up in the air and almost hit the ceiling.  The group reacted with great excitement and joy.  On the following turn the group achieved perfect team work.  The ball was placed in the middle, the kids and staff held tightly onto the parachute, and the countdown began.  3..., 2..., 1..., a long hesitation pause GO!!!  Eyes and attention was fully locked on the lead staff doing the countdown, and each body was anticipating the act of snapping the ball far into the air.  Faces were grinning with excitement as they saw the ball rocket up in the air and actually hitting the ceiling.

During the countdown, the hesitation allowed the group to fully process the moment and get their bodies ready to work together.  Within the group there are many different kinds of processing speeds and waiting just a little longer helped the group to succeed.  This particular experience had enough positive impact on some of the kids that they asked to do it again the next day.