On 2 April 2026, Tim Africa’s Jon Oliff took the stage and delivered a deeply personal and practical keynote titled “Finding Your 3 Things”. In a room filled with female entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals, he was the only male guest speaker at the KZN Women in Business April Meeting in Durban North. One of our Account Executives, Janelle Vernall, attended to record his speech and capture behind-the-scenes content from the business event in Durban.
Drawing from his experience as a marketer, podcast host, and entrepreneur, as well as a life-altering encounter with a puff adder snake, Jon unpacked how clarity, simplicity, and intentional living can shape both business and personal growth.
The session blended storytelling, philosophy, and actionable frameworks, reinforcing Tim Africa’s belief in building meaningful systems through the pillars of mind, body, and soul, and translating those into real-world outputs like podcasting, performance marketing, and development.
Finding Your 3 Things
At its core, “Finding Your 3 Things” is about identifying the three core principles, values, or priorities that guide your life and work. Jon explained that the number three appears everywhere, from storytelling structures to religion to science, because it provides clarity, rhythm, and closure.
For him, these three things became especially clear during a near-death experience. Faced with mortality, he didn’t think about adding more to his life. Instead, he began removing everything unnecessary until only what truly mattered remained.
The Reason Behind the Exercise
The concept isn’t just philosophical, it’s practical. In business and life, complexity often creates confusion, while simplicity drives action. Jon highlighted that when you reduce your focus to three key things, you create clarity in decision-making, communication, and execution.
This is particularly relevant in marketing and entrepreneurship, where attention is limited and messaging needs to land quickly. The “rule of three” helps audiences understand, remember, and act.
Key Takeaways from Jon Oliff
1. Start With the End in Mind
Jon emphasized the importance of thinking about outcomes before actions. When faced with a life-threatening situation, he naturally focused on what truly mattered, not future plans, but meaningful connections and unresolved emotions.
This principle applies directly to business. Whether building a brand, pitching a product, or creating content, clarity on the desired outcome simplifies every decision along the way.
2. Simplicity Creates Power
Three is the first point where humans recognize patterns. It provides structure, beginning, middle, and end, and helps audiences process information more effectively.
Jon showed how this applies across disciplines, from storytelling to marketing frameworks to daily decision-making. When you simplify your message into three clear ideas, you increase its impact.
3. Awareness, Acceptance, Action
One of the frameworks Jon shared was a three-step process for growth:
Awareness
Acceptance
Action
He explained that you cannot change anything until you are aware of it. Once you accept it fully, only then can you take meaningful action. This framework is powerful in both personal development and leadership, especially when working within teams or navigating challenges.
4. The Three Words That Matter Most
After his near-death experience, Jon distilled everything down to three things. He explained that these are not just words, but rather actions. These three phrases form the foundation of meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally.
5. The Power of Human Connection
Jon introduced a simple but profound exercise used in his team environments, asking people to describe how they feel in one word. This creates space for honesty, emotional awareness, and deeper connection. It also allows leaders to identify when someone is overwhelmed and respond appropriately.
In modern workplaces, where mental health and engagement are critical, this kind of human-centered approach is becoming essential.
6. Gratitude as a Daily Practice
Jon highlighted a simple exercise called “Yesterday’s Best,” where teams share one positive moment from the previous day. This builds a culture of gratitude while also strengthening relationships within teams. It shifts focus from problems to progress, which is critical for morale and long-term performance.
7. Podcasting as an Education Tool
As the co-founder of Tim Africa, Jon reinforced the idea that podcasts are one of the most powerful forms of modern education. He explained that people primarily consume podcasts to learn, making them a valuable platform for sharing expertise, building authority, and connecting with audiences at scale.
For businesses, this presents an opportunity to document what they already do well and turn it into content that educates and attracts the right audience.
The Future of Personal and Business Clarity
As the pace of business accelerates, the ability to simplify becomes a competitive advantage. Frameworks like “Finding Your 3 Things” help individuals and organisations cut through noise and focus on what truly matters.
In a world driven by content, communication, and connection, those who can clearly articulate their values and message will stand out.
KZN Women Left with a Framework
The KZN Women in Business April Meeting was more than just a networking event, it was a powerful reminder of the value of clarity, connection, and intentional living. Jon Oliff’s “Finding Your 3 Things” keynote resonated deeply with attendees, offering a simple yet transformative framework that can be applied across both business and personal life.
This is the kind of practical, human-centred innovation Tim Africa is interested in, where we care about how we pitch our work as much as we care about closing the deal. If you’re wanting help turning your concepts or expertise into content, Tim Africa does this every day through podcasting, performance marketing, and web development.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are “Your 3 Things”?
They are the three core values, principles, or priorities that guide your decisions, communication, and actions in life and business.
- How can businesses apply this concept?
Businesses can use it to simplify messaging, clarify value propositions, and create stronger marketing and communication strategies.
- What role does storytelling play in this framework?
Storytelling naturally follows a three-part structure, beginning, middle and end, making it easier to engage audiences and deliver memorable messages.
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