3x3x3: Is learning a numbers game?
May 01, 2022

Why do you learn new things? Is it because you’re constantly curious? Because you’re trying to level up your skills and advance your career? Or because your industry is moving so fast, you’re worried that you will be left behind?


Most of us are life-long learners – whether we realise it or not – but although the desire to keep on learning is innate in many of us, the skills we need to learn effectively aren’t inbuilt. How often have you set yourself a goal or thought about learning a new skill, in your work or personal life, and failed to deliver? You’re not alone. It’s easy to get distracted from learning and it’s important to not only have the right mindset but to also have the right framework to support the process. Recently, Mckinsey & Company published their 3x3x3 strategy based on learning through small achievable goals. It is built around three key pillars – ‘a defined number of clear and immediate goals’, ‘a defined period to meet these goals, and ‘a defined number of people who can support and monitor progress on goals’. In this blog, we take a closer look at this learning methodology and explore how you can put it into practice.

Three Goals


If you’re a naturally curious person, it’s easy to come across new learning opportunities every day. And as your list of things, you want to learn stacks up, it can soon become overwhelming. McKinsey & Company recommends that the maximum number of goals to focus on is three, adding, “Anything more than that is likely to be counterproductive, forcing you to divide your focus, energy, and practice among too many pursuits.” They also acknowledge that too few goals can be equally dangerous, with focusing on only a single goal often seeing other learning opportunities left in the dust.


We say: Write down all the goals you want to achieve. Get it down on paper whether that’s 10, 20, or even a 100, and then decide which three goals are the right ones for you to focus on right now. You should consider how each goal could positively or negatively affect you both personally and professionally and try and choose a blend of goals that stretches you across more than one area.

Three Months


Why is three months the sweet spot of goal setting? McKinsey & Company says that “three months provides enough runway to make tangible progress ”while forcing“ us to be concrete and specific in our goals.” Three months also aligns with many of the rhythms of our lives – from seasons to financial quarters – so it’s not surprising that it has been highlighted as just the right length for goal setting.


We say: While not all goals may fit into the three-month “sweet spot” it’s a useful checkpoint for bigger or more complex goals too. Say you’re engaged on a degree course or professional qualification – three months is the perfect time period to check your progress, look for areas of improvement, or even decide that this isn’t a goal that you want to pursue.

Three Other People


The last three of this learning methodology is all about people and it might be the most surprising part of the 3x3x3 strategy. McKinsey & Company recognise that it can be uncomfortable to ask for help but argue that “involving others in our learning is one of the most powerful ways to improve goal attainment” creating “healthy social pressure”. Essentially, including at least three other people in your learning creates accountability and a support network, making it more likely that you will stick with your goals for the long term.


We say: Self-improvement isn’t something you need to hide away. And involving other people in your learning can be inspiring as well as keeping you accountable. It may even open up new avenues for learning or prompt you to take a goal in a brand-new direction.

We think there is a lot to like in the 3x3x3 frameworks and any tool that helps you to grow your skills successfully has to be a good thing!


What do you think of 3x3x3?

14 Aug, 2023
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10 Aug, 2023
You’ve seen these guys before when a circus came to your city or maybe on TV. They walk on a wire at an impressive height, sometimes without insurance, sometimes with a long stick that probes the void right and left. They walk slowly, trying the wire with their toes first, making small steps, their eyes fixed on the small platform where they plan to land soon. They never watch down. They don’t listen to an audience that applauses or gasps in awe. They are concentrated on keeping their balance. To keep balance. Let’s come down from the wire above the arena or stage. Let’s look closer at balance, where it has its roots and the secrets of keeping it. Is it an art? Or is it a skill? Can you learn to keep balance? Or is it an innate skill that only gymnasts, figure skaters, circus artists and ballet dancers are born with? Want to know the secrets of a ballerina that must perform 32 fouettes, a complex ballet movement that requires turning 360 degrees at a high-speed standing on the point of a ballet shoe? First, keeping balance is a skill people must learn for years. In ballet, sport, circus, real life, and… work life. A ballerina is taught to pick one point and to fix her eyes on it when she makes her 32 fouettes, a complex ballet movement that requires turning 360 degrees at high-speed standing on the point of a ballet shoe. She focuses on one thing that keeps her upright. She doesn’t look anywhere else. Gymnasts in some disciplines are constantly trained to feel the bar under their feet. They are prepared to land precisely on the bar after they jump, and the incredible contortions we admire in competitions. But let’s come back to the circus artists we have begun with. Often, they have a long stick in their hands to keep their balance. Is their secret hidden in the stick? And what is the secret? You don’t need to be a ballet dancer, a gymnast, or a circus artist to get the idea of balance. Here are your first two steps in your balance training: 1. Keep your main priorities in mind. And have a clear idea about what is very important for you and where you are ready to compromise. But don’t listen to external opinions that don’t align with your ideals. Forget about the audience’s applause – focus on you. 2. Use some help to stay upright and get to your goals. Imagine your life split on two ends of the helping stick, your job is on one end, and your private life is on another. How comfortable do you feel at your height now with the load on both ends? You need support. We at Kelly pay a lot of attention to balance. The balance between people’s private lives and their jobs. The balance between feeling appreciated and professional goals or between achieving extraordinary results and being inspired. Talk to Kelly today. We are not ballet coaches or sports trainers, but we know much about how important work/life balance is in our lives.
03 Aug, 2023
We often associate certain qualities with individuals who seem to possess a natural talent for creativity. We convince ourselves that painting, singing, or dancing are pursuits reserved for these "real" artists while we remain mere spectators. Creativity? Inspiration? No, it's not about me.
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