In case this is a new term for you, a “Do Now” activity is something that is written up on a PowerPoint, board, or chart paper as participants enter the room where the meeting, class, or engagement is being held. “Do Nows” serve a dual purpose: First, they give participants something to do other than checking their phones, which is what most people will default to when entering into a new (and therefore, slightly uncomfortable) space. Secondly, they help participants warm up to the topic, or a sub-topic that will be covered during the meeting.

“Do Nows” are especially useful for events where people a) trickle in, b) people don’t yet know each other, or c) there is a rather large group of people. These scenarios can make those events feel especially awkward for participants, and a “Do Now” can do wonders for helping them ease into the space. When I host large workshops that are open to people from many different agencies, I really love to use “Do Nows.” While some people will natural strike up a conversation with someone near them, or quietly peruse the agenda, most people will turn to their phones. This is not necessarily bad, but if you are trying to create a transformative environment, you want to get people involved and engaged from the minute they walk through the door – and checking social media or answering emails and texts is the opposite of that goal.

For example, let’s say you are hosting a back-to-school parent orientation where you will go over school rules, important dates, etc. As parents enter, there is a PowerPoint slide that reads:

Do Now: Grab a snack. Find a seat. Turn to the people sitting near you, introduce yourself, and share your responses to any or all of the following questions, “What was your favorite part of going back to school when you were young? What was your least favorite part? As a parent, how do you feel about your child’s return to school after the summer break?”

Or, imagine you are leading a meeting for your staff about new safety procedures for emergencies. As they enter the meeting room, there is a sentence on the board that reads:

Do Now: Think of a time you were in an emergency situation. How were you prepared? How could you have been even better prepared? On the index cards provided, write down one “tip” you wish you had known prior to the emergency.

Once the meeting starts, you can use these “tips” as part of an icebreaker or other type of sharing activity. In fact, “Do Nows” often lead really nicely into opening icebreakers or personal introductions, so you may want to think more deeply about how you integrate the “Do Now” into the opening of the meeting.

Hopefully you get the idea – the “Do Now” serves to both provide a constructive use of time (something people generally expect and appreciate when they come to a meeting), as well as to gently introduce the topic at hand.

Here are a couple of further “Do Now” ideas for you to think about using the next time you host a meeting, class, or event. Remember, tailor your questions or the activities to fit the topic(s) you are going to be covering. A “Do Now” should foreshadow and frontload what is to come!

Do Now: Around the room you will find quotes about leadership. Find one that resonates with you and, using the pens and paper on your table, write down why you like that particular quote.

Do Now: Sign in and find a seat next to someone you don’t already know. Introduce yourself and share why you decided to sign up for this class. What are you hoping to get out of being here?

Do Now: Using the sticky notes and markers on your table, write down three ideas (one per sticky note) for topics you would like to explore during our monthly staff development meetings this year.

Do Now: Turn to the person sitting next to you and share your favorite part of yesterday’s workshop. What is one question about the topic that you still have? What are you looking forward to about today’s workshop?

So this is my challenge to you: Use a “Do Now” at your next engagement. If people don’t immediately start in on it, make sure to point it out to them; if they have never seen one before, it won’t be obvious to them that they are supposed to follow the instructions.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!