What's That Number Again?

Ever wonder why it’s so hard to remember a phone number plus the area code? Our brain is capable of remembering up to 7 isolated bits of information. That’s why when you add the three-digit area code to a 7-digit phone number you are trying to remember, your brain struggles—and you find yourself repeating the number over and over, until you dial it.

It’s important to keep this in mind, when designing training. If you have 7 or more pieces of information you need to share, you need to tie them together in a way that connects the information.

Defining a concept that ties the information together is the best way to do this. For instance, if you have to deliver 8 “pieces of information” on how to be an effective leader, figure out the common, bigger idea that connects all the different pieces. You might decide that “alignment” is what connects all the ideas or “empowerment” might be a better choice. Whatever the big idea is, you have to set this up first with the learner and allow them to see how all the smaller bits fit under this bigger umbrella that is the concept you choose to tie it together.

Be well,
Jeanine O'Neill-Blackwell
President/CEO, 4MAT 4BUSINESS