Have you ever wondered why in children’s story books…
…there are THREE little pigs?
…there’s Goldilocks and the THREE bears?
…there’s THREE billy goats gruff?
Even Dora the Explorer would only give THREE places that children should remember while she and her monkey companion, Boots, try to solve a puzzle.
Interestingly, Dora must also say “Swiper no swiping!” THREE times to stop the thieving fox named Swiper from stealing.
In movies, there were also the THREE stooges, the THREE musketeers and the list goes on.
What’s with THREE anyway?
Well, when Bell Labs research scientist George Miller published a paper in 1956 entitled “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two”, he cited some studies showing that humans have hard time remembering more than seven to nine digits. Modern scientists confirmed that we can easily recall only THREE to four items at a time.
So what does this have to do with communication?
…there are THREE little pigs?
…there’s Goldilocks and the THREE bears?
…there’s THREE billy goats gruff?
Even Dora the Explorer would only give THREE places that children should remember while she and her monkey companion, Boots, try to solve a puzzle.
Interestingly, Dora must also say “Swiper no swiping!” THREE times to stop the thieving fox named Swiper from stealing.
In movies, there were also the THREE stooges, the THREE musketeers and the list goes on.
What’s with THREE anyway?
Well, when Bell Labs research scientist George Miller published a paper in 1956 entitled “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two”, he cited some studies showing that humans have hard time remembering more than seven to nine digits. Modern scientists confirmed that we can easily recall only THREE to four items at a time.
So what does this have to do with communication?
According to Carmine Gallo, “the ‘rule of three’ is one of the most powerful concepts in communication theory.”
THREE is the magic number.
Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, known for his wildly popular presentations, sticks to the rule of three. Try listening to his speech and observe how he used this principle.
No wonder, even stories and movies apply this ‘rule of three’! Because that’s the limit of what our brains can absorb at a time!
Still not convinced? Gallo continued that the “U.S. Marine Corps conducted extensive research into this subject and has concluded that three is more effective than two or four.” This is the reason why divisions within the marines are divided into three!
Gallo concluded that if the rule of three worked for the marines and worked for Steve Jobs, then it will work for you.
So if you want to be really understood by your audience, stick to the “rule of three”.
The next time you make a presentation or you need to prove a point, just emphasize three things.
I should start a cult for communicators called The 333. Care to join my cult? :)
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Speaking of THREE, only 3 days to go before this public speaking workshop!
Not sure how to answer those questions during a job interview? Don’t know what to say when called to give a few words onstage? Not sure how to handle questions by management or clients during your presentation? Are you at a loss for the right words to say to people you meet in a networking or social event?
Then join me in this workshop! Hope to see you there!
TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE DETAILS, CLICK ON THIS LINK: http://manilaworkshops.com/events/insta-speak-say-what-you-need-to-say-in-2-minutes
THREE is the magic number.
Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, known for his wildly popular presentations, sticks to the rule of three. Try listening to his speech and observe how he used this principle.
No wonder, even stories and movies apply this ‘rule of three’! Because that’s the limit of what our brains can absorb at a time!
Still not convinced? Gallo continued that the “U.S. Marine Corps conducted extensive research into this subject and has concluded that three is more effective than two or four.” This is the reason why divisions within the marines are divided into three!
Gallo concluded that if the rule of three worked for the marines and worked for Steve Jobs, then it will work for you.
So if you want to be really understood by your audience, stick to the “rule of three”.
The next time you make a presentation or you need to prove a point, just emphasize three things.
I should start a cult for communicators called The 333. Care to join my cult? :)
------------------------------------
Speaking of THREE, only 3 days to go before this public speaking workshop!
Not sure how to answer those questions during a job interview? Don’t know what to say when called to give a few words onstage? Not sure how to handle questions by management or clients during your presentation? Are you at a loss for the right words to say to people you meet in a networking or social event?
Then join me in this workshop! Hope to see you there!
TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE DETAILS, CLICK ON THIS LINK: http://manilaworkshops.com/events/insta-speak-say-what-you-need-to-say-in-2-minutes