"Organization is a means of multiplying the strength of an individual." - Peter Drucker

Try to memorize this set of numbers in 10 seconds: 6176975718.

Ok, times up, look away and repeat the number set.

Now try this set, you got ten seconds: 617-287-2432.

Times up, how did you do?

101 Stuff

The above example is a commonly known, but seldom used example of how your working memory performs. The part that temporarily stores information for easy retrieval. It’s a standard concept revealed to most Psych101 students. Even if you haven’t learned the formal background behind this phenomenon called “chunking” you’ve surely familiarized yourself with it. Most sets of numbers and important general facts are grouped in three’s.

What do you do if you catch on fire? Easy: stop, drop & roll. What if someone needs CPR? Not everyone knows this one but, here is what you check: Airways, Breathing,  & Chest compressions (remember this as ABC). Concepts chunked (in 3's) for us to learn are easier to understand, remember and teach.

In Sales

This concept is so powerful yet SO under-utilized. Take sales for instance. How often do you pitch something by grouping the benefits into three easy-to-remember words or actions? I can’t remember the last time this happened to me. When I listen to a pitch it’s usually a gross dump of facts, many “uhmms” and no close. I fail to remember the majority of what was said!

An old sales strategy, is called the quality/service/price close (3 pieces, hmm.,) goes something like this:

Customer: "The price is a little hefty."

Seller: "I understand your concern. However, whether you choose us or our competitor it boils down to three considerations. Now, you can only have two out of these three, because of basic economics. You can have:

(1) great price & quality but poor service,

(2) great price & service but poor quality, or

(3) our clients choose great service & quality, but slightly higher price. Which makes the most sense to you?"

In Life

Navigating life is a constant juggling act. Family, job, friends, health, deadlines, timelines, etc. How can we use the power of 3 in life? Well, let’s say we want some semblance of balance in our lives. Here’s an off-the-cuff mental model to use.

Divide your life into three overlapping circles. Each circle has to be filled daily. Let's choose health, relationships, career. Pretty easy to remember aye? So each day all you have to do is one action in each category, to ensure balance.

Forget Complexity

Information deluge can keep us running in place and thoroughly confused. By having a basic filtering and expression method you can better manager modern daily life. Keep it simple, break things down in 3’s, and keep the goal in mind.