What do you do when you get overwhelmed? Make a short list of to-dos? Recite a mantra: One step at a time? Crawl under a weighted blanket and watch reality TV? (No judgment here).
One of the toughest things about creating a strategy often isn't a lack of options but an abundance of them. In a world where you could be running paid ads, influencer marketing, insider events, webinars, blogs, sales enablement, and a thousand other tactics, what do you invest in?
Whenever I’m working with a team that’s feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities, I like to use the 1-3-1 rule.
And it’s so simple, you can start using it today.
What is the 1-3-1 rule
- 1 problem: Define one specific problem clearly
- 3 solutions: Develop exactly three potential solutions
- 1 recommendation: Pick one and commit to it
Why it works and how to apply it
A strategy fails when it attempts to solve everything at once. The 1-3-1 rule prevents that by forcing you to do the hard part upfront—defining the real problem. There will be other related issues, but start by focusing on just one. When you return later to solve the rest, you’ll find one less variable to consider.
Then, limit yourself to three solutions—no more or less. Three is the sweet spot—enough to ensure you've considered alternatives, not so many that you're drowning in options.
And requiring one recommendation? That's where strategy actually happens. Because strategy is choosing what to do AND what not to do.
Here’s a quick example:
1 Problem: 40% of your email list hasn't engaged in 6 months
3 Solutions:
1. Re-engagement campaign
2. Purge inactive subscribers
3. Segment and personalize content
1 Recommendation: Purge them—better metrics and delivery rates matter more than vanity numbers
But what if we pick the wrong problem? What if there's a better fourth solution? What if the one we choose doesn't work?
A decent strategy executed well beats a perfect strategy that never gets implemented. You can always pivot and iterate after you’ve given the solution a chance.
One problem forces clarity. Three solutions prevent analysis paralysis but ensure you've thought it through. One recommendation creates accountability.
Your turn
Think about a strategic decision you're facing right now, and try this:
1. Write down the ONE specific problem you're trying to solve
2. Force yourself to develop exactly THREE solutions—no more, no less
3. Pick ONE and commit to it for the next 90 days
The 1-3-1 rule won't guarantee success. But it will guarantee clarity. And in strategy, clarity beats complexity every single time.
What strategic decision could you simplify with the 1-3-1 rule this week?
