Breaking the Ice: Tips for Stress-Free Fun Facts 

Many feel anxiety and pressure when asked to share a fun fact during icebreakers. In this blog post, Ajeetha offers practical advice on how to prepare and navigate these moments with confidence, emphasizing that icebreakers can be a tool for connection and setting a positive tone in group settings. 

Written by Ajeetha Vithiyananthan, Blog Editor & Digital Content Writer, Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Sociology 

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“Let’s go around the table, and tell a fun fact about ourselves!” 

Once upon a time, this sentence made me very, very anxious. Fun fact? What fun fact? I start thinking of a million possibilities, the next thought no more impressive than the previous. What is appropriate to share? What do the people want to hear? And as people start talking, I tend to change my fun fact 2-5 times, as someone always says something too similar to what I was going to say. When it’s finally my turn, I blurt something out, and thank the heavens that we can move on. 

Fun facts are a common icebreaker for group activities. And not just in the classroom or the workplace: as adults, when people get together for the first time or after a long while to share or work on something together, fun facts are a great way to start conversations and form connections.  

For some of us, though, it can also seem tedious or anxiety-inducing. The pressure of telling a good fun fact can be immense, and sometimes, we wish we could just get ahead to the main activity. But I’m here to tell you: it doesn’t have to be that way.  

How to tell a ‘good’ fun fact 

You want to know a secret? What qualifies as a good fun fact is actually entirely up to you. It’s about your intended objective in sharing a fun fact and how you want to convey yourself to your peers, rather than anyone else.  

Like I mentioned before, the general purpose of a fun fact is to start conversation: by offering a bit about yourself, you’re offering others the opportunity to connect with you;, to ask you questions or mention that they too have a similar interest or experience. Considering your purpose and target audience is a Marketing101 principle, and it helps immensely in crafting a fun fact that resonates with you and the people you’re engaging with. 

Think along these lines: Are you trying to relate to everyone, or find people with the same cultural background or niche interest? Are you trying to build a continued authentic connection, or is this a short-term connection?  Is this a formal meeting with colleagues, an informal meeting with your classmates or book club buddies, or a casual hangout among old and new friends? What would be an appropriate fact given all this? 

Preparing a fun fact — or an icebreaker 

If you often find yourself struggling to think of a fun fact on the spot, like I do, it can be helpful to have a few go-to facts prepared. This can make you feel more confident and reduce the pressure of coming up with something on the fly. Here are some starter ideas: 

• Meaning of Your Name: Think about the origin or meaning of your name. Is there a story behind it? 
• Educational Background: Reflect on a unique aspect of your education, like a subject you specialized in or an interesting project you worked on. 
• Go-to-superpower: It’s in the name; do you want to be telekinetic, mind-read, or something else entirely? 

If you’re the person leading an icebreaker, asking people to share one of these examples, rather than asking for a fun fact about themselves, can help people narrow down their answer and reduce nervousness.  

At the Innovation Hub, icebreakers are used at the start of almost every team meeting, as it’s a way of easing everyone into collaborating and building community. It is an essential part of fostering the fun and welcoming culture here. You get to learn more about each other, and you might even learn something about yourself! One of my favourite icebreakers at the iHub was when the Blog Editors team shared how their name was chosen by their parents. This icebreaker got everyone talking – you could feel the room buzz with excitement. I got to know a little about everyone’s culture and family traditions, and in searching up my dad’s name, I learned that my grandfather named him after a famous professor in Eelam!  

Navigating the anxiety of icebreakers 

So, you’ve figured out what you’re going to say, but that doesn’t entirely ease the nerves, does it? It’s natural to feel anxious or self-conscious when sharing a fun fact. Remember that everyone is in the same boat, and most people are focused on their own nerves rather than judging you. To help you navigate your anxiety, here are some things to keep in mind: 

1. Silence isn’t as awkward as you think it is. If you’ve been asked to go first or if someone just said what you’re about to say, you might be anxious about offering a new fun fact on the spot. Remember to take a pause and breathe. Deep breaths and a smile can go a long way toward easing your anxiety and making everyone feel comfortable.  
2. Be authentically you, but not at the expense of your comfort. Take the pressure off from wanting to be cool, interesting, funny, or clever; all that matters is that you’ve shared something people wouldn’t have known. And if someone just said something you were about to say, you can start with a filler (“Well, that’s a tough act to follow…”), let them know you’re in the same boat (“Oh my gosh, Sabrina, I had the exact same experience…”), keep it simple or redirect if necessary (“Ah, come back to me when the noggin’s not so heated up”). 
3. Roll with the punches: Sometimes, the reaction to your fun fact might not be what you expected. That’s okay! Focus on the positive reactions and don’t dwell on any negative or indifferent ones. Remember, the goal is to share and connect, not to impress. 
4. Listen and engage: While sharing your fun fact is important, actively listening to others and engaging with their stories is equally valuable. Showing genuine interest and asking follow-up questions can lead to deeper connections and make the icebreaker more enjoyable for everyone. 

Not so bad after all 

As you would’ve realized by now, icebreakers — like having people tell fun facts — are intention-setting activities. Quick and easy, starting a meeting amongst coworkers or friends with an intention-setting activity helps keep everyone aligned, connected, and focused. Setting a positive and comfortable tone is important for inclusivity and affects the overall atmosphere and dynamic of the session.