Use the rule of three to be remembered

What is the simplest proven technique to:

a. be understood 

b. be remembered, and 

c. remember what you are saying in the first place? 

Use a list of three. 

The rule of three is all around us. From childhood, to how our products are advertised, via how our politicians try and persuade us. 

From our earliest age we are taught to Stop, Look and Listen. We are educated reading stories about the Three Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and the three ghosts in A Christmas Carol. 

All these stories have a beginning, a middle and an end (so should presentations, speeches and articles). 

Mars bars have helped generations to “work, rest and play”, jokes are constructed using a set-up and anticipation followed by a punchline while at school we are taught “Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.” 

In short, the human brain is programmed to think, listen and remember in lists of three. 

So how can this help you to communicate, persuade, argue or present, write and give speeches better than you do today? 

Here are a few examples: 

Structure your arguments in threes. 

Use three bullet points in your presentations. 

Give three examples as to why you are better than your competitors. 

The rule of three is a pattern that the human brain is tuned into. 

Through culture, habit and simple brevity. Because of this, if you are not using a list of three to communicate your ideas, sell your services and persuade your audiences then you are missing a trick. 

So, use lists of three and see how your communication improves.