Episode 553 , The Weird 3-Rule Trick That Helps You Solve Any Business Problem FAST
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🎙️ Show Notes: The Power of Simple Rules for Faster Execution and Better Decision Making
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Join for $9 →In this podcast episode, Martin Ebongué shares a powerful strategy that can simplify your life, help you execute faster, and make better decisions consistently.
By creating a set of simple rules or principles, you can save time, energy, and beat your competitors in the market.
Some Topics We Discuss Include:
, How creating three simple rules helped a 9-year-old girl solve complex math problems easily [01:25]
, Why focusing on the 95% rule instead of the 5% exceptions can make your life easier and more consistent [05:30]
, How having just two key variables for decision-making can help you find unlimited leads and grow your business [06:53]
, The importance of having principles that apply consistently, regardless of the situation or person involved [08:14]
, How reducing your decision-making checklist from 67 points to just 2-3 can save you hundreds of steps and help you execute faster [11:06]
, And much more.
Word Of Wisdom:
Success loves speed.
Now, it doesn't mean that you need to just run and just do things like an idiot and not consider it, but you have to find a way to execute faster.
And simple rules are the best tool. , Martin Ebongué
Action Steps You Can Take Right Now:
1. Identify areas in your business or life where you can create simple rules or principles to streamline decision-making [09:40]
2. Reduce your decision-making checklist to 2-3 key variables that matter most, instead of going through a lengthy list [11:06]
3. Apply your principles consistently, regardless of the situation or person involved, to maintain integrity and save time [08:14]
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Problem-Solving Approaches Compared
| Approach | Speed | Decision Quality | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gut feeling / instinct | Instant | Unreliable | Low |
| Overanalyzing every option | Very slow | Moderate (paralysis risk) | Low |
| Asking others for advice | Slow | Varies | Low |
| 3-rule decision framework | Fast (under 5 min) | High | Very high |
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👉https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDo6dVb2Fk0
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A Complicated Problem Is Usually A Simple One You Have Not Named
For years I met every business problem with more analysis. I built spreadsheets, made lists, asked more people, and the problem never got smaller, only slower to face. What finally changed things was a short set of rules I now run every problem through before I touch it. Most problems are not hard. They are just tangled, and untangling beats overthinking every time. Three plain questions cut through more than a week of worry ever did for me.
So before you attack a problem, name it in one sentence, decide the smallest next move, and set a time to make it. Clarity is a decision, not a feeling you wait for. I break down the exact rules I run on the Freedom by Choice podcast and in my own story. For the research, Harvard Business Review has covered how simple rules beat complex strategy, and McKinsey has studied how fast, structured decisions outperform.
About the Author
Martin Ebongue is the host of the Freedom By Choice podcast and founder of Launch Builder Pro. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing and business automation, Martin helps solopreneurs build systems that generate income without trading time for money. Based in Bali, he has built 1,500+ automation workflows for Fortune 500 brands including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and eBay, and trained 2,000+ students worldwide.
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Is Your Problem-Solving Working For You?
1. Do you spend more than 24 hours deciding on business problems that could be resolved in minutes?
If yes, you are overthinking. Set a decision deadline: 5 minutes for reversible decisions, 24 hours for irreversible ones.
2. Do you have a written set of personal rules that guide your business decisions?
If no, you are reinventing the wheel every time. Write 3 simple rules today that cover 80% of your recurring decisions.
3. Have you made the same type of mistake more than twice in the last year?
If yes, you lack a decision framework. Simple rules prevent repeat errors by encoding past lessons into automatic filters.
4. Can you explain your decision-making process to someone in under 60 seconds?
If no, it is too complex. The best frameworks fit on a sticky note. If you cannot explain it simply, you cannot follow it consistently.
5. Do you feel confident in at least 80% of the business decisions you make?
If no, your framework is either missing or not tested. Start tracking decisions and their outcomes for 30 days. Patterns will emerge that your rules can capture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 3 rules for solving business problems fast?
The 3-rule framework means creating three personal principles that filter every business decision. For example: “Does this move me toward my revenue goal?” “Can I automate or delegate this?” “Will this matter in 12 months?” When a problem hits all three filters, the answer is clear within minutes instead of days.
How do simple rules actually improve decision-making speed?
Simple rules eliminate the analysis paralysis that kills execution. Instead of weighing dozens of factors, you run the problem through 3 pre-decided filters. Research shows that people with decision frameworks make choices 60% faster and report higher satisfaction with their outcomes.
Can this framework work for complex business problems, not just simple ones?
Yes. Complex problems are actually where simple rules shine the most. When a problem has too many variables, more analysis makes it worse. Simple rules cut through the noise and force clarity. I have used this approach for decisions ranging from hiring to product launches to partnership deals.
How do I create my own set of 3 business rules?
Look at your last 10 business decisions. Find the 3 criteria that would have given you the right answer in 8 out of 10 cases. Those are your rules. Write them on a card and keep them visible. Test them for 30 days. Adjust if needed. Most people nail it on the first try.
What if my 3 rules conflict with each other on a particular decision?
Rank them in priority order. Rule 1 always wins. If rule 1 says yes and rule 2 says no, follow rule 1. This is why the order matters. Put your most important criterion first. In my experience, conflicts happen rarely because well-chosen rules tend to align on the decisions that matter most.
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