You will need

5 x £1 coins

1 x A4 blank paper

Five fingers

1 to 25 delegates

Solution

Use your fingers on a piece of A4 paper to represent the numbers that are between 1 to 5 inclusive.

1 = 1 finger on the paper

2 = 2 fingers on the paper

3 = 3 fingers on the paper

4 = 4 fingers on the paper

5 = 5 fingers on the paper

The five £1 coins are important as they are used to misdirect the group from your fingers.

Hints and Tips

At the start of the game represent the number one by placing 1 finger on the paper and placing the coins in a horizontal line. On the second round place them in a vertical line and place 1 finger on the paper. Always tell the group what the first few numbers are. This will make the game more interesting.

To really make the solution appear more complex turn the coins over so that some are showing heads and others are tails.

To prove you are not tricking the group use the individuals who have discovered your strategy to confirm the answers. This will increase the pressure for the delegates to solve the problem.

Be creative in your delivery to gain maximum learning.

Basic Instructions

1. It is important to ask for 5 x £1 coins from your delegates. This will reinforce the need for them to focus on the coins.

2. Place a blank A4 piece of paper on a table and make sure that everyone in your group can see this. For showmanship purposes make a big deal of this and spend time laying it on the table.

3. Now, place the five coins on the paper and deliver the following instruction clearly and concisely. For showmanship purposes really look like you are concentrating and make the appropriate sounds.

Please Read These Instructions to the group

“This is a puzzle. I want you to identify the strategy I am using to represent the numbers between 1 to 5. When you know the solution please do not shout this out, but test your answer on the next go. If you ask me any questions about the strategy I am using then I will not answer your questions. If you get the solution correct then I will know this from your face. You do not need to tell me the strategy. Note to facilitator, you are looking for the 'aha' moment. When you do get the answer correct please do not share this with the rest of the group. I want everyone to have a go at solving the problem.”

4. Play this game in rounds by moving the coins in various positions and placing the correct number of fingers on the paper corresponding to the number you are representing. Then ask "what is the number?" Give the group an opportunity to guess at each stage. If you are asked any questions about the strategy you are using, do not answer them. For showmanship purposes make a big deal of this and spend time laying the coins on the paper.

Note the coins are only there for misdirection the solution is in the number of fingers that appear on the paper at any one time. Note to facilitator make sure that you are not too obvious when placing your fingers on the paper.

5. The learning will have greater impact the longer the game lasts.

Facilitation

When everyone has guessed the solution correctly, then facilitate a discussion around their experience.

Here are examples of key messages, however I know you can think of many more.

• By focusing on the obvious you were unable to find the solution. You can relate this to missing buying signals in sales.

• Pressure to solve the problem hindered me from finding the solution, especially when everyone else appeared to get the answer before me.

• I knew the solution was not the coins, however my mind only focused on this because it seemed the obvious answer. By looking in other areas I was able to solve the problem. Note to facilitator relate this to thinking outside of the box.

Finish by saying,

"It was never about the coins. It was all in the fingers!"

Your Hypnotist

Best Wishes

Andy Mitchell

www.yourhypnotist.co.uk