Life Timeline

How to Play

Setup

1. Group size: Best with 4–20 people. Plan 30–45 minutes total.
2. Materials: Large paper or poster sheets, markers or pens, sticky notes, and a visible timer. For hybrid/virtual, use a digital whiteboard (e.g., Miro, Mural, Jamboard) and breakout rooms.
3. Room layout: Seat participants in a circle or clusters of 4–6. Leave wall space to post timelines for a gallery walk if desired.
4. Prep: The facilitator draws a simple example timeline with 5–7 moments to model clarity and scope.
5. Psychological safety: Emphasize consent and boundaries. Participants may share only what they’re comfortable revealing.

How to Play

1. Introduce the purpose (2 minutes): Explain that the activity builds empathy by sharing 5–7 life moments that shaped each person.
2. Reflect and shortlist (5 minutes): Individuals brainstorm 8–10 possible moments (moves, milestones, mentors, challenges, achievements). Circle 5–7 to include.
3. Create the timeline (5–8 minutes): Draw a horizontal line from left (earlier) to right (recent). Mark 5–7 moments with a short label (2–5 words), an approximate date/age, and a simple icon or symbol. Optionally add a brief note about the lesson or value gained.
4. Share in small groups (12–25 minutes):
   • Form groups of 4–6. Each person gets 2–3 minutes to present highlights of their timeline.
   • Listeners practice active listening. After each share, allow 30–45 seconds for one appreciative or clarifying question.
   • Rotate until all have shared.
5. Debrief (5–10 minutes): As a whole group, discuss themes noticed, insights about collaboration preferences, and how understanding backgrounds can improve teamwork.

Rules

1. Share at your comfort level; passing on any moment is okay.
2. Confidentiality: What’s shared here stays here unless you have explicit permission to repeat it.
3. One speaker at a time—no interrupting, fixing, or advising unless the speaker requests it.
4. Timebox strictly with a visible timer; facilitators give a 30-second warning.
5. Keep content appropriate for the workplace; avoid graphic details about sensitive topics.
6. Focus on your own story—do not disclose others’ private details.
7. Visuals over perfection: simple symbols or stick figures are encouraged.
8. Virtual adaptation: Use a shared board, mute while drawing, cameras on if comfortable, and breakout rooms for sharing.

Tips

• Model first: The facilitator briefly shares their own timeline to set tone and scope.
• Provide prompts: moves, education, first job, mentors, pivotal feedback, challenges overcome, identity/culture milestones, hobbies/passions, community service, turning points.
• Offer a symbol key (e.g., star = achievement, mountain = challenge, compass = change in direction).
• Accessibility: Allow typing instead of drawing; use high-contrast markers; enable captions online; provide extra time if needed.
• Emotional safety: Acknowledge that meaningful stories can stir feelings; offer short breaks as needed and remind participants they can opt out of any detail.
• Capture themes (not personal details): With consent, note shared learnings to revisit in future team norms.

Variations

• Pair-and-share: Pairs share for 4 minutes each, then swap; reconvene to surface themes.
• Deep-dive round: Each person highlights one most formative moment for 3–4 minutes with 1-minute Q&A.
• Future timeline: Map the next 12–24 months of goals and hopes to align priorities.
• Team timeline: Build a single timeline of the team’s collective milestones to celebrate history and set direction.
• Gallery walk: Post timelines on the wall; do a silent walk adding sticky notes like “I relate” or “Curious about this” and then debrief.