Answer: POINT NUMBER FOUR

Magic Power of Three

You’re facilitating your bi-weekly update.

You explain, “There’re seven possibilities,” or “I’ve been thinking about a dozen data points.”

You’re thorough, but you’ve lost the room (especially if it’s virtual).

Keep it to 3 main points / reasons.

Why the Rule of 3 works

BTW all my clients, over many years, love The Magic Power of 3 Rule!

In fact, one client shared (with a smile), “Karen, I’m mad at you!” I asked, “Why?”

He replied, “Since you coached me to use The Magic Power of Three that’s all I see… everywhere … on bill boards, articles, presentations, and emails.”

Thank you, Tim Hughes, Founder/CEO of Falcon Realty Advisors, for that comment, and for sending me Andrea Wojnicki’s article in Inc. explaining the science of why this rule works. Using Andrea’s words:

1️⃣  Three is balanced. Think of a tripod or stool. Ever sat at a wobbly restaurant table?

2️⃣  Three is substantial. Two points feel thin, three “makes a trend”.

3️⃣  Three is manageable. You respect your audience’s capacity / cognitive load. Your message is easier to understand and to recall.

Where to use The Magic Power of Three

• Newsletters.
• Workshops.
• Emails.
• Sales pitches.
• Meeting agenda.
• Self-introductions.
• Everywhere!

Note: Sometimes ONE point is enough, and sometimes it takes more… but make the rule of 3 your baseline.

The AI conundrum

The rule of three has become a signal that your content is AI-generated.

I agree with Wojnicki, “I’d encourage you to let that go. AI caught on because it works. It’s the sweet spot between too little and too much.”

For your next presentation (or email) …

• Resist the urge to share all that you know.
• Ask, “What are my three main ideas?”
• Do this and you’ll get heard above the noise.

photo credit: Chat GPT