People have a limited scope for new learning. Did you know it takes a minimum of three items to provide a pattern, and three seems to be one of the easiest ways to provide a framework for hanging new ideas on to.

We’re even introduced to it at a very young age: The Three Little Pigs. Three Blind Mice. Goldilocks and the Three Bears…

It’s everywhere!

• Just Do It… Finger Lickin’ Good… I’m Lovin’ It (slogans/ Taglines)
• Hands, Face, Space (instructions)
• The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (films)
• Newton’s Three Laws of Motion (science)
• “Never was so much owed by so many to so few” (famous speeches)

In business, it’s all around us. You will have heard concepts like ‘Market, Message, Media’, ‘Mission, Vision, Values’. Simple, memorable, and instructional.

And it’s why we have our own Foundational Three for small businesses. And following our rule of three will increase your business’s likelihood of providing the lifestyle you want.

Without it, you will end up stuck on the business hamster wheel, running harder and faster but not moving any further forwards.

The Magic Three for a small business owner is this: Why, What and How.

Step 1: WHY are we doing what we are doing?

Understanding what you want, and what you’re prepared to do, to get it (Life Plan).

Step 2: WHAT does the business need to do to achieve this?

Understanding your business’s financial position, and how to deliver your Life Plan (The 7 Numbers).

Step 3: HOW will we deliver the result?

Identifying the most effective way to deliver your Numbers (The Path).

Everything else in a small business is just the noise that will get in the way of YOU achieving your goal.

Martin Norbury

Investor | Business Mentor at Advocate | Author of I don’t work Fridays