Ice Breaker – Saturday Morning
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
Today’s question is inspired by the Michael Hyatt’s most recent podcast episode of This Is Your Life with Michael Hyatt. The episode titled How to Lead Transformational Conversations provided 10 Practical Strategies for Greater Influence.
Question: What does your ideal Saturday morning look like?
My Answer: I like Saturday mornings, because it provides a break from my weekday routine. My ideal Saturday morning looks like this. I sleep in until 7 or 7:30AM. I go for a seven or eight my run on the Perkiomen Trail. When I come home from my run, I sit down and enjoy a slow-paced breakfast of eggs, toast, bacon, and decaf coffee (still can’t have caffeine). After taking a shower, I work on a project around the house or in the yard. This is what my ideal Saturday morning looks like.
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
Ice Breaker – March Madness
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
Question: Did you fill out an NCAA Tournament bracket? Who do you think will win in all this year? (Who do you have in the Final Four?)
My Answer: I always fill out an NCAA Tournament bracket. For one, I love college basketball. And March Madness is a great time to connect with co-workers and friends. This year, I have Kentucky winning it all, and my Final Four includes Virginia, Gonzaga, and Wisconsin. I’d love to see Villanova go far as they are the local team still in the tournament.
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
Ice Breaker – Circus
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
Question: If you were performing in a circus, what would you do?
My Answer: With my recent interest in public speaking, I think I would probably enjoy trying my hand at the ringmaster job. If that was already taken, I might try juggling. I already juggle a lot of things in my life, so I think I might be entertaining in this role.
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
Ice Breaker – Snow Day
My wife and kids had the day off yesterday thanks to the snow storm that blew through the Philadelphia area yesterday. I managed to make it into the office. There was a buzz throughout the office created by the winter storm outside. Today’s Stretched Ice Breaker is inspired by the now day yesterday.
Question: What is your favorite snow day memory?
My Answer: When I was a young kid, my family lived in Wheaton, Illinois (just west of Chicago). I was six or seven when we had a foot of snow on the ground. While we were off from school, the neighborhood kids and our parents gathered to build a giant four-foot tall snow fort. All the kids in the neighborhood could actually fit in the snow fort. It was so cool!
Shortly after building the snow fort, a blizzard hit the Midwest dumping four more feet of snow. Our snow fort was gone, but we were left with snow we will always remember. My dad shoveled our long gravel driveway by hand leaving 13 foot tall snowbanks on the sides of our driveway. I remember digging holes and tunnels all over our backyard. These snow days will be ones I always remember.
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
Ice Breaker – Polar Bear Swims and Other Craziness
Today is International Polar Bear Day!
Bet you didn’t know this interesting fact. International Polar Bear Day was created by Polar Bears International to raise awareness for the conservation of polar bears.
When I think about polar bears, I can’t help put think of people doing the polar bear swims. Polar bear swims require a bit of craziness. Jumping into a frigid body of water when the air temperature is even colder is crazy. Today’s Ice Breaker is all about doing something a little crazy.
Question: When was the last time you did something really crazy? Tell us about it in the comments.
My Answer: My guess is the answers to this question will walk the line of craziness and stupidity. I’m not known for straying to far from the straight, narrow, and normal, so thinking of something crazy from my past is a bit of a challenge. Going to Guatemala the first time a few years ago seemed a little crazy to me. It may not have been crazy, but it was definitely a leap of faith. Driving on some of the roads of Guatemala has been a bit crazy. Eating some of the food in Guatemala may not seem crazy to the locals, but to other gringos consuming the local food is crazy.
Outside of Guatemala, the last time I did something a little crazy may have been when our family was vacationing in Vermont a few years ago. I went on a giant swing ride which required me to be ratcheted up to the top of a tree before I was released out over the edge of a mountain. It was a little scary, and my stomach ended up in my throat when I started to drop. There was also a feeling of exhilaration as I swung back and forth over the mountain edge.
As I type this, I begin to think of other craziness from my past. Maybe I’m not so crazy after all!
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
Ice Breaker – School Days
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
This week, I spent some time at Grove City College. This is where I also spent four years of my life pursuing my mechanical engineering degree. Today’s Ice Breaker question is inspired by my visit to my alma mater.
Question: Where did you go last go to school? Where did you first go to school?
My Answer: Grove City College is one of my favorite places, but it’s not the last place I went for school. I went to Penn State University (Great Valley Campus) for my MBA. Not counting preschool, Lowell Elementary School in Wheaton, IL is the first place I went to school. I spent my first three years of elementary school here (Kindergarten through 2nd Grade).
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
Ice Breaker – Love Songs
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
It’s Valentines Day weekend. Here’s an Ice Breaker to get you in the mood for love.
Question: What’s your favorite love song?
My Answer: Where do I start? Here are a few of my favorites:
- In Your Eyes by Peter GabrielWonderful Tonight by Eric ClaptonI’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
Ice Breaker – Favorite Album
Fridays are Ice Breaker days here on The Stretched Blog. Before we get to this week’s question, I want to ask you to help me out by answering five questions related to short-term missions. The survey was initially presented on the blog last week, but I understand some had trouble completing the survey on the blog. After answering the Ice Breaker below, please click here to go directly to the survey. It will only take a minute (I promise).
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
Question: What’s your favorite album of all time?
My Answer: U2 – Joshua Tree
This is my Go To Album when I need to relax, when I need a pick me up, or when I need to be reminded of the past. This album took the world by storm while I was in high school, and I jumped on the U2 Bandwagon. With songs like Where The Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, and With Or Without You how could you go wrong?
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
As a reminder, please take a minute to fill out the short-term missions survey. To get to the survey, click here.
Ice Breaker – Super Bowl Snacks
We’re taking a quick break from the delegation series to have some fun.
Fridays are Ice Breaker days here on The Stretched Blog. Before we get to this week’s question, I want to ask you to help me out by answering five questions related to short-term missions. The survey was initially presented on the blog last week, but I understand some had trouble completing the survey on the blog. After answering the Ice Breaker below, please click here to go directly to the survey. It will only take a minute (I promise).
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
This wee’s Ice Breaker is inspired by the upcoming Super Bowl coming up this weekend. After you answer the question, feel free to give your prediction(s) for the big game.
Question: What’s your favorite Super Bowl snack?
My Answer: With the new year, I’ve tried to watch my eating habits more closely. After all, you are what you eat. I don’t intend on letting this go for the Super Bowl. Having said this, I don’t think a few chicken wings would throw me off the wagon. I’m not sure I can stomach the heat like I used to, but I still like the taste of Buffalo wings even if they make me sweat a little.
As for my Super Bowl prediction, I’m going with the Patriots over the Seahawks 37-28. I’m not really a fan of either team, but I’ll be watching. We’ll see what happens.
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
As a reminder, please take a minute to fill out the short-term missions survey. To get to the survey, click here.
Ice Breaker – Interview
Fridays are Ice Breaker days here on The Stretched Blog. Before we get to this week’s question, I want to ask you to help me out by answering five questions related to short-term missions. The survey was initially presented on the blog last week, but I understand some had trouble completing the survey on the blog. After answering the Ice Breaker below, please click here to go directly to the survey. It will only take a minute (I promise).
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
This was a week of interviews for me. I interviewed to gentlemen for engineering positions in my company, and I had the honor and privilege of being interviewed by Tammy Helfrich for her Right Where You Are Podcast (I’ll let you know when the interview goes live). Interviewing is interesting. It can be nerve-racking. It can be exciting. And it can certainly be eye-opening. Today’s Ice Breaker question is inspired by my week of interviews.
Question: Tell us about your first job interview.
My Answer: I might be showing my age, but I can’t remember for sure my first job interview, but I can remember one of the first ones. When I was in college, I needed a summer job between my junior and senior year. Somehow, I connected with ServiceMaster. I remember driving over to their office when I was home on break and talking to a few of the managers. I was impressed by the company and their standards. They gave me a book written by the founder of ServiceMaster about the Lord being the center of their business. I was pretty impressed. I seem to remember receiving a that evening offering me a job. I was a little nervous at the job interview, and I was extremely excited about the opportunity to work for them over the summer. The job required me to travel up to New England every week to take inventory on school equipment for their facilities management program. It was an interesting stepping stone for me, and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to try something new.
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
As a reminder, please take a minute to fill out the short-term missions survey. To get to the survey, click here.