Playbook: Braindates

What is a braindate?

A braindate is either a video call or an in-person meeting with someone else. You should coordinate with the other person around the time you want to meet, then send a calendar invite with the details (including the address or Google Hangout link). Keep in mind timezones might be different. Braindates can range from 30min to 60min+. You can decide. See below for best practices and guidance.

ðŸŽŊ
Goal: Grow friendships and share ideas within the TKS community.
ðŸšŦ
DON'T BE LATE! The biggest mistake people make is being late to a braindate or not showing up. Setup the meeting, send an invite using Google Calendar, then be on time!

There are 3 types of braindates:

#1) Meet

The purpose of a meet braindate is to get to know new people. There is no pressure to talk about what you've accomplished or how much you know in a specific tech/science. Instead, it's focused more on having a memorable experience and building new relationships.

Meet best practices:

  • Have energy and excitement for the braindate! Smile! Show the other person you're looking forward to the braindate. This will start your braindate with good vibes.
  • Play games; don't make it feel like an interview. Prepare 1 or 2 games before the braindate that you can play (recommendations below).
  • Learn something interesting together, like a skill or a random piece of knowledge like why fish wiggle around when they aren't in water.
  • Keep in touch after the braindate. Send each other articles, videos, and/or funny things you think the other person will like. Check in with the person at least once/month.
  • 🕑 Suggested time: 30min. End on a high note with energy. Be excited to talk again.

Meet Structure (Example):

  1. Start with an ice-breaker. Our suggestion is to play 2 truths 1 lie. It's simple and fun.
  2. After the ice-breaker, play "10 common things". In this game, you have to find 10 unique things you both have in common with each other. The more unique, the better. Avoid things like "we both brush our teeth". Try to find common things/interests that not many other people would have with you.
  3. Next, talk about what you're interested in. This includes problems you're interested in solving, specific tech/sciences, sports, music, art, acting, or anything else. Get to know what makes the other person excited. Note: if you already talked about this in the previous activity, you can skip this.
  4. Suggestion: Play an improv game. Examples:
    • Caption that GIF: go to giphy.com and send each other random gifs to make a caption for in < 10 seconds.
    • Improv storytelling: Go to this website and generate a random image. Together, you will make a story based on a series of images. The first person starts the story with one image, then the next person gets a new image and continues the story based on that image and it goes back and forth.
    • Rap battles: Find a beat like this one and have a freestyle rap battle.
  5. Suggestion: Learn something new together, like a skill or something random like how [insert random thing] works.
  6. Suggestion: choose 10 questions from this list to get to know each other at a deeper level.
  7. At the end of your braindate, take a funny selfie with each other ðŸĪŠðŸ“·.

#2) Growth

The purpose of a growth braindate is to discuss a specific area that can help you both grow. These areas can include time management, motivation, sleep, habit forming, workouts, health, meditation, and personal goals. At the end of a growth braindate, you should be able to implement specific things to help your personal growth.

Growth best practices:

  • Choose a topic you're interested in or struggling with.
  • Look into strategies and best practices about the topic before the braindate. Also try implementing some of the learnings so you can share your personal experiences with each other.
  • Be focused on the topic. Do research together on it if you get stuck on something.
  • Important: have clear action items for each other at the end of the braindate.
  • After the braindate, check in periodically to hold each other accountable and/or get updates based on the plan you made.
  • 🕑 Suggested time: 30-45min

Meet Structure (Example):

  1. Start with an ice-breaker to get to know each other better and lighten the mood. Our suggestion is to "play 2 truths 1 lie" or "10 common things". In this game, you have to find 10 unique things you both have in common with each other.
  2. Talk about the growth topic and why you're both interested in it. Use personal examples and stories. Share what you're personally struggling with in this area and how you want to level up.
  3. Exchange best practices you've learned/researched. Talk about what has worked for you have what hasn't worked.
  4. Make a growth plan. This plan should be specific to each individuals based on their personal objectives they want to accomplish. Be sure to include tangible action items.
  5. Send each other your plans and talk about how you can hold each other accountable and/or make sure you're growing in this area.
  6. At the end of your braindate, take a funny selfie with each other ðŸĪŠðŸ“·.

#3) Focus

The purpose of a focus braindate is to discuss your focus areas, share knowledge, and brainstorm ideas. Try to teach each other something new. If you're working on a project, show it and explain how it works. After a focus braindate, you should feel like you learned something new, have unique insights about the focus topic, and interesting ideas you want to explore further.

Note: You must be in a Focus to participate in this type of braindate, but you don't need to be in the same Focus as the other person.

Focus best practices:

  • You need to be in a Focus and have knowledge in your Focus area - minimum finish the learn article.
  • Your goal should be to learn something new by the end of the braindate. Teach each other something.
  • Prepare for the braindate. Maybe make a short slide deck, have projects ready to show, or questions prepared to discuss.
  • Show your passion! Your vibe matters. Don't be dull. Make this enjoyable. Have energy.
  • Ask questions and be curious. Come into this braindate wanting to learn new things and work together to research cool stuff.
  • 🕑 Suggested time: 45-60min

Focus Structure (Example):

  • Start with an ice-breaker to get to know each other better and lighten the mood. Our suggestion is to "play 2 truths 1 lie" or "10 common things" (find 10 unique things you both have in common).
  • Share what you're both working on and why you're interested in the topic. Give examples of the potential your focus area can have on the world and the types of problems the tech/science can solve.
  • Take turns to teach each other something new. Screen share, show each other things, demo stuff you've built. Ask questions during this time and be curious.
  • Let curiosity lead your discussion. Research things together if you don't have an answer.
  • At the end of your braindate, take a selfie with each other 📷.

Overall Best Practices

  • Send a calendar invite.
  • Don't be late!! If you're late or don't show up, you will lose respect and trust. Be on time.
  • If you need to cancel or reschedule, give the person 24hrs notice. Don't cancel at the last minute. Don't forget about your braindate.
  • Bring positives vibes, good energy, and passion!
  • Prepare before the braindate. Do research and think about how you can contribute.
  • Don't do a braindate to check a box. You should be excited about meeting the other person.