Now I Think

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Document shifts in perspective and concrete next steps after a learning module.

Use it when: Use at the end of a training block or workshop when people need to consolidate what changed in their approach and state an immediate application.

Skip it when: Skip when the session was purely informational with no shifts in practice, or when participants need to negotiate a shared team agreement rather than individual learning.

Group arrangement: Individual reflection followed by pairs or trios, ending with optional plenary sharing.

Timing: Based on Knowmium 5 to 15 minute closing format, planned here for 15 minutes.

Materials and tools

• Two sticky notes per person or half-sheets of blank paper
• One pen or marker per person
• Wall space, flipchart paper, or a digital whiteboard board (Miro, Mural, or shared document)

Before participants arrive

1. Write or display the prompt stems clearly where everyone can see them: 'Before, I thought...', 'Now, I think...', and 'Now, I will...'.
2. If in person, clear wall or table space for posting notes. If remote, set up three labeled columns on a digital board or prepare a chat prompt.

Say this to open

We are closing this topic by looking at how your perspective changed. Take three minutes on your own to finish three statements: 'Before, I thought...', 'Now, I think...', and 'Now, I will...'. Write each statement on your paper or note.

How to run it

1. Introduce stems and write individual reflections 4 minutes

   Display the three sentence starters: 'Before, I thought...', 'Now, I think...', and 'Now, I will...'. Give an explicit example: 'Before, I thought delegation meant giving away tasks I disliked. Now, I think delegation is matching tasks to team development. Now, I will audit my weekly task list before Monday's 1-on-1s.' Participants work silently on their own notes. Anyone who prefers not to share public details may keep their writing private.

2. Post reflections 2 minutes

   Ask participants to post their notes on the shared wall or digital board under the matching columns, or type them into the shared chat if using chat. Participants who choose not to display personal statements may write 'Pass' or post only their practical 'Now, I will...' step.

3. Pair or trio discussion 5 minutes

   Divide participants into pairs or trios. Groups of two or three take turns sharing what surprised them about their change in thinking and how realistic their 'Now, I will...' action is. Give each person about 90 seconds to speak.

4. Debrief and facilitator clarification 4 minutes

   Bring the whole group together. Call on two or three volunteers to share one pattern or shift they noticed across the wall. Address any remaining content confusion or misinterpretations that surface from the posted notes.

Debrief questions

• Looking across the posted notes, what common assumption did many of us share before today?
• What is one practical barrier that could get in the way of your 'Now, I will...' action, and how will you handle it?

Finished output: A shared board or wall of paired reflections showing individual cognitive shifts and committed next actions.

Remote

Display the three stems on a shared digital whiteboard or presentation slide. Participants write silently, then paste their three sentences onto digital sticky notes in three columns. Split into breakout rooms of two or three people for 5 minutes of discussion. Return to the main room for 4 minutes of open debrief.

Hybrid

In-person participants write on physical sticky notes while a designated room scribe photos or types them onto the shared digital board. Remote participants post directly to the digital board. Form separate in-person and online breakout pairs so audio remains clear.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may submit thoughts verbally to a partner instead of writing.
• Posting to the public board is optional; participants may keep notes in private notebooks without explanation.

If the session gets stuck

Participants write vague generalities like 'Now, I will do better.'

Prompt them to name an exact occasion: 'Name the specific meeting, document, or day next week where that change happens.'

Participants feel embarrassed admitting what they thought before.

Remind the room that discovering prior misconceptions is normal evidence of learning, and allow anonymous notes or posting only the 'Now, I will...' portion.

Terms used here

• Prompt stem: The beginning words of an incomplete sentence that the participant finishes in their own words.