Power of Three in Planning & Preparation

In triathlons, we have the three disciplines: swim, ride and run. Triathlon training includes pre-race, racing, and post-race – that is part of periodisation.

Three is a tidy number. Three can be a crowd. It is an odd number – literally. Fairy tales and fables read well with the trio: Three Little Pigs, Three Bears, and Wicked Stepmother and Two Sisters. A trilogy is a serial of film chapters: Matrix, Star Wars (2X3), and Lord of The Rings. Prequel and sequel makes three. Superlatives come in three: good, better and best. Fast, faster and fastest!

The Triple Threat on Broadway is the one performer who can sing, act and dance. A Broadway or West End musical includes the first-half, intermission, and second-half. Traffic lights come in three colours: start, stop, and continue. Three has a nice ring to it. It sounds good, for it has a rhythm when you recite in sequence.

When preparing for a talk, think in threes: Beginning, Middle and End. The triad includes the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.

Do you approach your week with a trio of priorities? Which three questions do you tend to ask? Do you build up to a heightened conclusion for your presentation?