Whether it’s on the first day of school, a job interview, a networking event, or another function, nearly everyone will be asked at some point to share a fun fact about themselves.
Some people enjoy these icebreaker activities, but many find them extremely anxiety-inducing and not fun at all.
Whether you enjoy these kinds of activities or not, chances are you will find yourself being asked to share a fun fact about yourself at some point in the future, and if you want to avoid freezing up and blurting out the first thing that comes to mind, a little preparation goes a long way.
Breaking the ice in a networking event is essential to get important contacts that will help your next sale or your next job opportunity. Let’s check in details some tips to accomplish it.
It Should Be Discreet
Ideally, your fun fact should match your personality. If you don’t like to be the center of attention, it’s not a good idea to share something that will make people beg for a demonstration or ask endless follow-up questions.
On the other hand, if you enjoy being the life of the party, then you may want to share a fact that will leave people wanting to hear more.
It Doesn’t Need To Be Fun
Your “fun” fact doesn’t have to be fun. It is probably quite unlikely to be all that fun. Simply sharing something slightly out of the ordinary is enough.
Ideas of Fun Facts
Still, avoid sharing something that is overly personal or something that may offend someone.
Here are a few simple ideas to keep in the back of your mind for the next time you find yourself being stared at by a crowd, all eagerly awaiting to hear your fun fact.
Hobbies
Sharing hobbies is usually a go-to fun fact, but don’t let this dissuade you from sharing about what you like to do in your free time.
Your hobby can give people a better idea of what kind of person you may be, and so it is an excellent option for a fun fact.
If you can elaborate on how you became interested in this activity or share a fun story about it, even better!
Childhood
Stories from childhood are usually amusing and lighthearted, so they are perfect fodder for a fun fact.
Sharing something unusual you did in your childhood, your dream job when you were younger, or any unusual event you were a part of as a child should get a great reaction from the audience your fun fact is being shared with.
Vacation
Talking about a vacation can lift everyone’s mood and brings back memories of more relaxing times. Sharing a favorite vacation you’ve been on, your dream trip, or one you have planned for the near future is an excellent option for a fun fact. Or, if you have a disaster vacation story, sharing this story may also get a great reaction.
Celebrities
Almost everybody is interested in hearing about celebrities, and so if you have a celebrity experience, this is an excellent fun fact to share.
This works even better if your experience with the celebrity is drastically different from how they present themselves in their public lives.
If you don’t happen to have a personal celebrity story, sharing a celebrity you look up to, or your celebrity crush could be an option as well.
Wrapping Up
Though many people find it uncomfortable, the typical “fun fact” icebreaker exercise probably is not going away anytime soon.
With a bit of preparation and thought, next time you’re asked to share a fact about yourself, you’ll be able to give one in line with your personality rather than mumbling something about how many siblings you have.
Who knows, your fun fact could even lead to a new friendship or a meaningful business relationship!