Today is 3/3 and if you know us, you know that 3 is our favorite number! So, today, we’re kicking off 33 days of For Impact Ideas on a Napkin.
We’re starting with (of course) The Rule of Three.
The Rule of 3
The Rule of 3 is a magical rule for SIMPLICITY.
As human beings, we’re wired to understand, internalize, and remember threes. Politicians know this, as does the media. Neuroscience tells us that the brain actually finds harmony in threes.
Two creates an either/or conflict. (Sophie’s Choice, anyone?)
Not only is Three just right (thank you, Goldilocks) but anything more than three is too complex!
Barry Schwartz’s The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less tells us stories of engagement DECREASING proportionate to MORE choice.
Look around:
The Holy Trinity.
Pyramids. An ancient symbol for strength.
Think BIG! Build SIMPLE! Act NOW! (Can you feel the cadence?!?!)
Today. Tomorrow. Forever.
You can use the Rule of 3 to simplify EVERYTHING you do and how you communicate:
If you have 7 programs, you need to package those into 3 funding priorities, such as:
Students, Teachers, Campus.
Read-Aloud Programs, Family Literacy, Teen Intervention.
If someone asks you a complex question, you can respond by saying, “I can answer that with these 3 things…”
If someone asks you, “How can I help?”, you can answer by saying, “We ask everyone for 3 things:
