The Simplest Way to Make Yourself Heard: What We Can Learn From the Magical Number Seven

Context is everything. Much of my influence on the next generation is blunted when I speak too abstractly.

The problem is that too much information, without a context, actually decreases memory.

This is the point made by George Miller in his classic essay "The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two."

Miller demonstrates that the average English speaker can remember seven random digits in a sequence. Legend is that this insight persuaded the U.S. to adopt seven digit telephone numbers.

Many people believe Miller's insight means that people can generally remember seven pieces of abstract information. Every additional piece of information decreases their memory.

The best way to make sure you're getting your point across in a memorable way is to make each point as concrete as possible. This is done by:

• Defining it
• Explaining it
• Giving an example
• Offering a personal experience
• Developing an analogy
• Quoting an expert's opinion
• Citing a statistic

For example, let's say you want to communicate the abstract principle of "redemption":

• Definition: redemption means to "buy back" something that is rightfully yours.
• Example: imagine that you owned a valuable heirloom and lost it, only to find it again in an antique store. Since you have no proof that it was yours, the only way to get it back it to buy it. That's an example of redemption.
• Personal experience: Because God redeemed me through Jesus' dying on the cross, I am now a bearer of redemption to the world. Everything I do--including my work--is an illustration of God's on-going work of redemption.

Here's a helpful rule of thumb called the 70/30 principle: Don't make more than 30% of any message new information. The other 70% should illustrate and explain the 30%. This makes the information you're presenting less random and more memorable.

The 70/30 principle works in speaking and writing. It also works when giving instructions and offering directions--whether to children or adults. Try it out this week!