The Rule of Three

David Hadley • March 5, 2024

Looking back through blogs I have written in the past and recently being reminded of the rule of three I thought it appropriate to revisit this view.

I recall reading two articles in relation to how to perform better in business. Both these articles listed 7 techniques/attitudes each to assist you in performing better in your business. There was a duplication of 2 items that both listed, giving a combined total of 12. Having to concentrate on 12 items at once could possibly overwhelm you. It would also make the challenge of completing them appear very daunting. Then I noted that one of the articles suggested to pick three items and concentrate on them over the next week or so. This as you may have heard us mention before refers to the ‘rule of three’.  

Some time ago I attend a seminar where an ex US Marine spoke of the rule of three. This is something that the United States Marine Corp believes strongly in. They believe that the rule dictates that a person should limit his or her attention to three tasks or goals. Anything more and you can become overextended and confused. They experimented with a rule of four and found that effectiveness plummeted.

Three things can easily be remembered, anymore and our retention suffers especially if under stress.

You can apply the rule of three to most things in life whether its business or private.

As this is a business blog let’s look at how we could apply it for a business. If business is struggling at the moment, take a hard look at what is going wrong and list the three most important areas that need improving? Concentrate on those, even seek assistance if required. 

 If business is going well, look at the three things you are doing right and don’t let them deteriorate. You can also look at three things that could disrupt your success and protect them.

With the two articles I received the three that stood out to me were;

  1. Enjoyment/ Business is fun:  We are in business or in the work force for a long period of time. If we don’t enjoy what we do our performance will suffer. A British Psychologist “Dr Robert Holden” often emphasises that you can either choose to have a good or bad day. A good easy read about this is the book ‘Fish’ written by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen.  I have discussed this book in previous blogs.
  1. I know I can: As Henry Ford said, “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right”. Take control, own it and be accountable for it
  1. I don’t know what I don’t know. Personal and professional growth requires an open mind and a willingness to try new things. If you think you know it all, you close your mind to new things and therefore do not develop and grow. 

Remember don’t try and take on too much as each will lose their effectiveness.

The post The Rule of Three appeared first on Green Taylor Partners.

More GTP Articles

Bookkeeping Tips

By Natasha Gardner • March 26, 2025
Effective bookkeeping is vital for the success of any business. By understanding and implementing various methods, leveraging the right software, avoiding common mistakes, and following practical tips, you can maintain accurate financial records and make informed business decisions. Common Mistakes Below are some pitfalls to watch out for: By being aware of these common mistakes [...] Read More The post Bookkeeping Tips appeared first on Green Taylor Partners.

Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Explained: What Employers Need to Know

By Regina Chia • March 19, 2025
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) is an important consideration for employers who provide additional perks to their employees. Whether it’s a company car, free gym memberships, or entertainment benefits, these perks may be subject to FBT. Understanding how FBT works can help businesses remain compliant and avoid unnecessary tax liabilities. In this article, we’ll break down [...] Read More The post Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Explained: What Employers Need to Know appeared first on Green Taylor Partners.

Building a Brand Identity to Standout in a Competitive Market

March 17, 2025
Some major businesses are able to ‘capitalise’ their brands. That means the brand has been valued and included as a balance sheet asset.  Most businesses don’t go to those lengths… but leaders who build valuable brands usually have a better chance of standing out and attracting customers and partners.  Let’s look into what makes a [...] Read More The post Building a Brand Identity to Standout in a Competitive Market appeared first on Green Taylor Partners.

Death & Taxes – What happens when I die?

By Matt Richardson • March 12, 2025
There are some general rules you need to be aware of when preparing your own Estate Planning or having some role in the affairs of a deceased estate. Inheritance There is no tax payable on assets which pass from an Estate to a beneficiary in accordance with the deceased’s Will. Final Tax Return The deceased [...] Read More The post Death & Taxes – What happens when I die? appeared first on Green Taylor Partners.

Tax Planning

By Kathryn Hamilton • February 26, 2025
As much as it sucks, tax is a part of life and I am sorry to say but it isn’t going anywhere! To reduce it, you could be doing some forward planning to make informed financial decisions. Everyone can benefit from tax planning from the biggest business to an individual. Why is tax planning important? [...] Read More The post Tax Planning appeared first on Green Taylor Partners.
More Posts