Using Chris Brogan's Three Words is a useful tool for introspection and positive change. It also raised interesting questions. Does drawing the words make them more solid and memorable, or are these words more powerful when the images we associate with them can evolve over time? How might this exercise work in a business setting to define a desired change involving many people?

1. | XPLANE 1OUR METHODS
TRIGGERING CHANGE USING THREE WORDS
JULY 2014
By Maia Garau, Senior Consultant (AMS)

2. | XPLANE 2OUR METHODS 2
TRIGGERING CHANGE USING THREE WORDS
Our work at XPLANE uses visual thinking to help people drive change in their organisations. In a recent Amsterdam Visual Thinking School
(VTS) event we decided to explore how visual thinking could apply to personal change.

3. | XPLANE 3OUR METHODS
TRIGGERING CHANGE USING THREE WORDS
Early this year we were intrigued by a series of posts by
Chris Brogan* describing his annual practice of starting each
new year with a “three words” exercise. New year’s
resolutions are phrased in the form of goals that are often
abandoned or, when achieved, don’t give us much to strive
for the rest of the year.

4. | XPLANE 4OUR METHODS
TRIGGERING CHANGE USING THREE WORDS
The three words are different—their purpose is to serve as
positive triggers for daily action. In our understanding, they
give us direction rather than focusing on a precise
destination. They help us decide what to do and how to be as
the circumstances around us change.

5. | XPLANE 5OUR METHODS
HOW TO HELP CREATE THE COMPANY CULTURE YOU WANT
1. Draw a circle with six “slices” (we nicknamed this the
“Change Pizza”)
2. Label each slice with something you want to focus on
improving in your life.
3. Colour in each slice according to how well you’re doing in
that area—the more area is filled in, the better you’re
doing.
4. Choose the three slices where you have the most white
space. Maybe this is where want to focus.
5. For each of these labels, write down any word that
comes to mind. Free-associate and don't edit.
6. Look for patterns and overlaps. The best words carry
multiple meanings.
7. Choose the three words that “shine.” You should feel
drawn to them. They should capture the essence of
where you’re trying to go. Remember that these words
are just for you and don’t need to make sense to anyone
else.
8. If you feel like it, try drawing the words or creating a coat
of arms.
9. Return to them daily.
Inspired by this idea we added a few steps and visual twists
of our own. Here was our process, should you wish to try this
at home:

6. | XPLANE 6OUR METHODS
TRIGGERING CHANGE USING THREE WORDS
Our VTS participants found the exercise very enjoyable.
They felt it was a useful tool for introspection and positive
change and that it raised interesting questions. Does drawing
the words make them more solid and memorable, or are
these words more powerful when the images we associate
with them can evolve over time? How might this exercise
work in a business setting to define a desired change
involving many people?
We plan to further experiment with this approach and invite
you to do the same.

7. | XPLANE 7OUR METHODS
www.xplane.com