Have you heard of “the rule of three”? When used about writing or as a rhetorical device, it refers to the use of three words or ideas for impact and flow. For example, “Friends, Romans, countrymen,” or “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed celebrity stylists using the rule of three, encouraging their clients to choose three words to influence their clothing choices. It’s a simple and effective method for creating clarity when curating a wardrobe and can easily be applied to the home and office.
Choose three words to describe how you want your home to look and three words describing how you want to feel in your home. Maybe you want your home to look “clean,” “uncluttered,” and “light” and you want to feel “calm,” “energized,” and “optimistic.” Get a clear vision in your mind of what your home would look and feel like if these words described it. You might want to collect photos for a vision board, do some writing, sketch or create a Pinterest board at this point. From here, what actions are necessary to work toward these words? Cleaning and decluttering are obvious, but what about “light”? Start with some quick wins, like a fresh coat of paint. Or maybe trade out dark, wintry sofa pillows for light, summery ones.
Your three words might be “artistic,” “welcoming,” and “comfortable,” and to describe feelings, “inspired,” “relaxed,” and “abundant.” Is there front porch lighting or entry way clutter you need to address to make the home more welcoming? Are their paintings against the wall that you’ve been meaning to hang since you moved in, which was 2019? Are your art or craft supplies organized and space clear for when you are inspired to create?
Most of us want our homes to be comfortable sanctuaries but “comfortable” doesn’t have to mean sloppy. On the other hand, nobody wants “fussy,” “impractical” and “off-limits” like living rooms in our grandparents’ era. Even high-end shelter magazines like Architectural Digest feature interiors that can be described with words like “inviting,” “soft” and “warm” with comfy-chic furniture in the living areas and practical, functional kitchens.
Apply the same three-word method to your office. If you want the space to look “efficient,” “organized,” and “professional,” and you want to feel “productive,” “focused,” and “capable,” what needs to change? The first thing I did in any office I ever worked in was to clear out the previous occupant’s stuff. Many people dive into work and never make a space their own by clearing old, unnecessary paperwork, replacing the previous occupant’s other people’s wall art, adding a plant, etc.
When you clear, clean and then think about how you want your workspace to look and feel, you will inevitably feel more empowered, worthy and on-purpose and therefore will certainly be more productive. Get quality task lighting and an ergonomically correct chair—you may not have to endure what you’re given and can ask for something better or bring in your own.
Hang some inspirational art. Make sure your storage space for papers and supplies is adequate and organized and that you have any supplies you need close at hand. Add a mini-fridge with your favorite drinks or a high-end coffee maker or even just a tray with a pitcher of water and some attractive glasses. I kept a huge jar of red licorice in my office which gave my colleagues a good excuse to stop in and catch up. Hydrated, caffeinated and sweet: not the worst three words in the world! But that was my early 30s—today I’d probably go with hydrated, fresh and nutritious and offer sparkling water and packets of raw almonds.
Keep coming back to your three words and check in as to how the space looks and feels. Update your words from time to time as circumstances change. It’s a great tool to help make your environment more orderly, more attractive and a reflection of your best self.