Be More Productive with the Rule of 3
Marci • December 18, 2015
This article was originally published on LinkedIn by Chris Bailey on Oct 28th 2015. Chris is a self-proclaimed Jedi Master at A Life of Productivity where he blogs about being productive.
For Some Strange Reason, Our Brain is Wired to Think in Threes.
As kids, we grow up immersed in stories that involve threes: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Blind Mice, and the Three Little Pigs. In high school, when we’re forced to dissect books like The Three Musketeers for English class, we break down the plot into three parts—the beginning, middle, and end. When we become adults, we observe that good things happen in threes, and that the “third time’s the charm.” The Olympics awards three medals for each event—gold, silver and bronze… Well, you get the idea.
There is something oddly attractive about the number three which can help you a lot as far as productivity is concerned.
Good #ProductivityHacks are hard to come by. There’s no shortage of advice out there, but after you read it, you have to make all that time back, presumably by using the very tactics you’re reading about. If the productivity hacks don’t help you earn that time back—and then some—you’re really just looking at productivity porn.
Over the last decade, I’ve experimented with countless productivity hacks. Some of them have worked, many of them haven’t. But the one productivity hack that has produced the greatest returns for me is the Rule of 3.
Here’s the Rule of 3:
- At the start of every morning, fast-forward to the end of the day and ask: When the day is done, what three things will I want to have accomplished?
- Do the same at the start of every week.
That’s it.
The rule is simple, but deceptively so. I’ve found that the Rule of 3 helps me work more efficiently and earn back more time than any other productivity hack:
- It fits with the way we think. For some reason that I haven’t been able to figure out, from childhood our brain is wired to think in threes.
- It’s hard to keep in mind what’s important. While you won’t remember a whole laundry list of things to do when you’re in the trenches, you’ll remember your three intentions.
- You decide what you don’t By picking the three main things you want to accomplish that day, you have taken the time to separate what’s important from what isn’t.
- It only takes a minute. For every minute you spend using the Rule of 3, you gain back at least 10 minutes of productivity.
- It helps you work more deliberately. Productivity is the process of working more deliberately, with intention. The Rule of 3 helps you to step back, determine what’s important, and then reflect throughout the day on whether you’re spending your time on the right things. The intention behind your actions is like the shaft behind an arrowhead. I haven’t found a better rule for setting intentions every day.
- The rule lets you consider your limits. Each day you only have so much time, attention, and energy. Productivity is a process of understanding your constraints. The Rule of 3 helps you think about how much want to accomplish, and then, over time adjust to how much you actually can accomplish once you better understand your limits. At first, I overestimated how much I could get done when defining my three things; later I underestimated what I was capable of. Finally I settled into an equilibrium where I understood how much I could do every day. That awareness has become, as Steve Jobs might say, insanely valuable.
As you might expect with something so simple, the rule is ageless. It has been talked about by everyone from Leo Babauta of Zen Habits to Gina Trapani of Lifehacker. I first discovered the rule from J.D. Meier, the author of Getting Results the Agile Way . J.D. is Microsoft’s Director of Business Programs, where he and his team use the rule every day. When I asked J.D. why he thought the rule is so powerful, he said, “I originally focused on the Rule of 3 because when my manager asked me what the team achieved for the week, he didn’t want a laundry list. He was willing to listen to three compelling outcomes.” J.D. found that “three things was very easy to keep top of mind, without having to write it down or look it up.”
I’ve found the exact same thing.
When your aim is to work more deliberately and accomplish more over the day, the Rule of 3 is in a league of its own.
Chris Bailey blogs about productivity over at A Life of Productivity . He’s the author of the forthcoming book, The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy , which will be published in January 2015 by Crown Business.
Share
Buying a Home? Follow These 6 Key Steps for a Smooth Experience Buying a home is likely one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. It’s exciting—but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding how mortgage financing works. To help make the process smoother (and far less stressful), here are six essential steps every homebuyer should follow: 1. Start With a Mortgage Professional—Not MLS It’s tempting to start your home search by scrolling through listings and booking showings—but the real first step should be speaking with an independent mortgage professional . Unlike a bank that offers only one set of products, an independent mortgage expert has access to multiple lenders and options . That means better advice, better rates, and a better chance of finding a mortgage that truly fits your needs. 2. Build a Personalized Mortgage Plan Unless you’re buying your home with cash, you’ll need a solid financing strategy. That means: Reviewing your credit score Running affordability calculations Exploring different mortgage types, terms, and features Understanding down payments and closing costs The sooner you start planning, the more confident you’ll feel. Don’t wait until you’ve found the “perfect” property— get ahead of the process now . 3. Figure Out What You Can Actually Afford What a lender says you can borrow doesn’t always match what you can comfortably pay each month. Take a close look at your budget, lifestyle, and spending habits. Think about how your mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and other costs will fit into your everyday cash flow. Avoid the stress of being house-poor by knowing your real-life affordability , not just your paper pre-approval. 4. Get Pre-Approved the Right Way A true mortgage pre-approval isn’t just entering numbers into an online calculator. It means: Completing a mortgage application Submitting all your required documentation Having a mortgage professional fully assess your file When you’re officially pre-approved, you’ll shop for homes with confidence , knowing what you qualify for and that you’re financially ready. 5. Submit Your Documents Promptly and Stay Flexible Once you find a property and your offer is accepted, time is of the essence. That’s when all the upfront work you’ve done really pays off. Be ready to: Provide additional documentation if requested Respond to your mortgage professional quickly Stay flexible and proactive throughout the approval process Your lender needs to verify everything before finalizing the loan, so staying organized is key. 6. Don’t Make Big Financial Changes Before Closing Once you’ve secured financing and waived your conditions, freeze your finances until after you get the keys. Seriously—don’t: Change jobs Apply for new credit Take out a loan Make a large withdrawal Even small changes can throw off your approval. Keep everything status quo until you officially take possession. Recap: 6 Steps to a Smooth Home Purchase Connect with an independent mortgage professional Create a mortgage plan early Know what you can afford (not just what you qualify for) Get fully pre-approved Stay on top of documentation Avoid major financial changes before possession Ready to Buy with Confidence? If you’re thinking about buying a home—or just want to know what’s possible—let’s talk. I’ll help you map out a personalized plan that makes your homebuying journey feel simple, strategic, and stress-free. Reach out anytime. I’d love to help you get started.
Why Work With an Independent Mortgage Professional? If you’re in the market for a mortgage, here’s the most important thing to know: Working with an independent mortgage professional can save you money and provide better options than dealing directly with a single bank. If that’s all you read—great! But if you’d like to understand why that statement is true, keep reading. The Best Mortgage Isn’t Just About the Lowest Rate It’s easy to fall for slick marketing that promotes ultra-low mortgage rates. But the lowest rate doesn’t always mean the lowest cost . The best mortgage is the one that costs you the least amount of money over time —not just the one with the flashiest headline rate. Things like: Prepayment penalties Portability Flexibility to refinance Amortization structure Fixed vs. variable terms …can all affect the true cost of your mortgage. An independent mortgage professional looks beyond the rate. They’ll help you find a product that fits your unique financial situation , long-term goals, and lifestyle—so you’re not hit with expensive surprises down the road. Save Time (and Your Sanity) Applying for a mortgage can be complicated. Every lender has different rules, documents, and policies—and trying to navigate them all on your own can be time-consuming and frustrating. When you work with an independent mortgage professional: You fill out one application They shop that application across multiple lenders You get expert advice tailored to your needs This means less paperwork , less stress , and more confidence in your options. Get Unbiased Advice That Puts You First Bank specialists work for the bank. Their job is to sell you that bank’s mortgage products—whether or not it’s the best deal for you. Independent mortgage professionals work for you. They’re provincially licensed, and their job is to help you: Compare multiple lenders Understand the fine print Make informed, long-term financial decisions And the best part? Their services are typically free to you . Mortgage professionals are paid a standardized fee by the lender when a mortgage is placed—so you get expert guidance without any out-of-pocket cost. Access More Mortgage Options When you go to your bank, you’re limited to that bank’s mortgage products. When you go to an independent mortgage professional, you get access to: Major banks Credit unions Monoline lenders (who only offer mortgages) Alternative and private lenders (if needed) That’s far more choice , and a much better chance of finding a mortgage that truly fits your needs and goals. The Bottom Line If you want to: Save money over the life of your mortgage Save time by avoiding unnecessary back-and-forth Access more lenders and products Get honest, client-first advice …then working with an independent mortgage professional is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Let’s Make a Plan That Works for You If you're ready to talk about mortgage financing—or just want to explore your options—I'm here to help. Let's connect and put together a strategy that makes sense for your goals and your future. Reach out anytime. I’d be happy to help.
Alternative Lending in Canada: What It Is and When It Makes Sense Not everyone fits into the traditional lending box—and that’s where alternative mortgage lenders come in. Alternative lending refers to any mortgage solution that falls outside of the typical big bank offerings. These lenders are flexible, creative, and focused on helping Canadians who may not qualify for traditional financing still access the real estate market. Let’s explore when alternative lending might be the right fit for you. 1. You Have Damaged Credit Bad credit doesn’t have to mean your homeownership dreams are over. Many alternative lenders take a big-picture approach . While credit scores matter, they’ll also look at: Stable employment Consistent income Size of your down payment or existing equity If your credit has taken a hit but you can demonstrate strong income and savings—or have a solid explanation for past credit issues— an alternative lender may approve your mortgage when a bank won’t. Pro tip: Use an alternative mortgage as a short-term solution while you rebuild your credit, then refinance into a traditional mortgage with better terms down the line. 2. You're Self-Employed Being your own boss has its perks—but mortgage approval isn’t usually one of them. Traditional lenders require verifiable, consistent income—often two years’ worth. But self-employed Canadians typically write off significant expenses, reducing their declared income. Alternative lenders are more flexible and understanding of self-employed income structures. If your business is profitable and your personal finances are healthy, you may qualify even with lower stated income. Even if interest rates are slightly higher, this option is often worth it—especially when balanced against tax planning and business deductions . 3. You Earn Non-Traditional Income Today’s income sources aren’t always conventional. If you earn through: Airbnb rentals Tips and gratuities Rideshare or delivery apps (like Uber or Uber Eats) Commissions or contracts You might face challenges with traditional lenders. Alternative lenders are often more willing to work with these non-standard income streams , especially if the rest of your mortgage application is strong. Some will consider a shorter income history or evaluate your average earnings in a more flexible way. 4. You Need Expanded Debt-Service Ratios Canada’s mortgage stress test has made it harder for many borrowers to qualify with big banks. Alternative lenders can offer more generous debt-service ratio limits —meaning you might be able to qualify for a larger mortgage or a more suitable home, especially in competitive markets. While traditional GDS/TDS limits typically sit at 35/42 or 39/44 (depending on your credit), some alternative lenders will go higher, especially if: You have a larger down payment Your loan-to-value ratio is lower Your overall financial profile is strong It’s not a free-for-all—but it’s more flexible than bank lending. So, Is Alternative Lending Right for You? Alternative lending is designed to offer solutions when life doesn’t fit the traditional mold . Whether you're rebuilding credit, running your own business, or earning income in new ways, this path could help you get into a home sooner—or keep your current one. And here’s the key: You can only access alternative lenders through the mortgage broker channel . Let’s Explore Your Options Not sure where you fit? That’s okay. Every mortgage story is unique—and I’m here to help you write yours. If you’re curious about alternative mortgage products, want a second opinion, or need help getting approved, let’s talk . I’d be happy to help you explore the best solution for your situation. Reach out anytime. It would be a pleasure to work with you.
