Popularized by author Suzy Welch, the 10-10-10 Rule is a simple yet effective decision-making strategy.
Before making a decision (big or small), ask yourself: “How will I feel about this decision in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years?”
SUPERHUMAN SCORING
In every edition of System Sunday, I assess the featured system across three superhuman dimensions: impact, setup, and maintenance.
Unlike your typical review, I focus on factors that influence personal growth. Get to know the evaluation system.
Impact (9.5/10)
Second-order thinking helps you consider the potential impacts of a decision beyond the immediate and obvious consequences.
It’s especially useful when there’s a bias toward instant gratification. The reason? Second-order thinking will help you think through time. You can take a wider lens and get perspective.
As I learned from Farnam Street, many extraordinary things in life are first-order negative and second-order positive.
For example, starting a new workout regimen. It's painful at first, with little instant gratification (negative). But there IS a long-term health payoff (positive).
Another instance might be a difficult conversation (short-term pain) that would free you from a so-so or toxic relationship (long-term payoff).
Incorporating the 10-10-10 Rule into your decision-making process can help prioritize your values & goals. If you ever feel stuck in a decision, choose the favorable option at 10 months and 10 years.
Note: Sometimes, you can even get positive checks in all three time horizons! Like with a nutritious and delicious lunch.
Setup (9.0/10)
1. Grab a pen and paper (digital notes also work).
2. Create 3 columns across the top of the page: 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years.
3. Write down how you will feel about the decision across these 3 time zones. Consider the impact on your health, relationships, and finances.
Maintenance (6.0/10)
I recommend following the journaling exercise above to build the habit of the 10-10-10 Rule. Writing it down is particularly helpful for big and difficult decisions.
Over time, you’ll internalize this process. Then, with practice, you can filter decisions through the framework in your head—with greater consistency and speed.
BRINGING IT HOME
One of my favorite quotes:
“Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously. If you can control the process of choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life.”
-Robert F Bennett.
The promise of the 10-10-10 Rule? To help you better control the process of choosing—to create the life you want.
All systems go,
Ben Meer
Founder of System Sunday
P.S. Welcome to the 7,537 subscribers who joined us since last week! 🎉
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FAQs
Popularized by author Suzy Welch, the 10-10-10 Rule is a simple yet effective decision-making strategy. Before making a decision (big or small), ask yourself: “How will I feel about this decision in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years?”
What is the 10-10-10 decision-making rule? ›
According to this rule, before making a decision, we should consider how we will feel about it in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years.
What is the 10-10-10 strategy for an important decision? ›
The 10–10–10 rule is a transformative approach that involves examining the potential impact of our decisions over distinct time horizons. When faced with choices, individuals are encouraged to consider the effects of their decisions over the next 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years.
What is the 10-10-10 method? ›
After having struggled with decision-making and wanting to have it all at the same time, Welch came up with this 10-10-10 technique. “Now I consider with every decision, what are the consequences in 10 minutes, in 10 months, and in 10 years. I put every decision in this frame.”
What is the 10-10-10 decision-making framework? ›
In these times, we need a better tool, a more rigorous framework. To help us deal with these particularly tough decisions, Suzy Welch created a framework called the 10/10/10 rule. This rule is, in essence, asking yourself “What will be the consequence(s) of my action/decision in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years”.
What does the 10 10 rule mean? ›
The 10/10 Rule states that if a couple has been married for at least ten years, during which the service member has completed at least ten years of creditable military service, the non-military spouse is entitled to receive a portion of the military retirement pay directly from the Defense Finance and Accounting ...
What is the 10 10 10 rule for one on one? ›
“Our structure is typically the 10/10/10 model: 10 minutes for the direct to speak what is on their mind first, then 10 minutes for my items, then 10 minutes 'for the future,' discussing what specific action items there might be from the conversation to make sure we follow up on.”
What is a 10:10 rule? ›
The most commonly cited is the "10/10 rule." This rule states that a contract passes the threshold if there is at least a 10 percent probability of sustaining a 10 percent or greater present value loss (expressed as a percentage of the ceded premium for the contract).
What is the 10 10 10 rule first impression? ›
How many of you are aware of the 10/10/10 rule? 1st 10 meters away, Irrespective of who you are, they're gonna look into your looks And the 10 feet away, the 2nd 10 that I mentioned about, they're gonna judge you based on the behaviors. How are they sitting? How are they standing?
What is a good explanation for the 10 rule? ›
What is the 10 rule? The ten percent rule of energy transfer states that each level in an ecosystem only gives 10% of its energy to the levels above it. This law explains much of the structural dynamics of ecosystems including why there are more organisms at the bottom of the ecosystem pyramid compared to the top.
Write the 10 items that you desire. Write 10 things you are grateful for. Write the 10 things you love to do. Make notes of steps you should take.
What is the rule of ten 10? ›
The rule of ten is used as a reference to determine which patients are fit for surgery, especially for cleft lip patients. The rule of ten include parameters at 10 such as the weight limit value of 10 lbs, hemoglobin 10 g / dL and white blood cell count <10,000 mm 3 and the optimal time for surgery, over ten weeks old.
What is the 10 10 10 test? ›
It's called the 10/10/10 Test. When you're wound up in worry, ask yourself: “How will I feel about the decision 10 weeks, 10 months, or 10 years from now?” It keeps you from catastrophizing the impact of the decision you're facing and makes it far easier to just make the call and move forward.
What is the 10x10x10 rule? ›
Communicating well includes not being a victim of panic or hype, and laying out clear actions for what to do and when. The 10x10x10 rule applies here: Say something 10 times in 10 different ways for people to retain 10%.
What is the 10 10 policy? ›
The 10/10 rule states that no students should have the right to use the restroom 10 minutes after class begins or 10 minutes before class ends.
What is the ten ten method? ›
The Ten–Ten planning process. contains two templates: an Organizational and Industry Analysis template and the Business Plan Overview template that identifies the mantra, mission, money, goals, objectives, and tactics in a very brief format.
What is the law of ten 10 rule? ›
What is the 10 rule? The ten percent rule of energy transfer states that each level in an ecosystem only gives 10% of its energy to the levels above it. This law explains much of the structural dynamics of ecosystems including why there are more organisms at the bottom of the ecosystem pyramid compared to the top.
What is the 10 to 10 rule? ›
The most commonly cited is the "10/10 rule." This rule states that a contract passes the threshold if there is at least a 10 percent probability of sustaining a 10 percent or greater present value loss (expressed as a percentage of the ceded premium for the contract).
What is the 10:10 rule in customer service? ›
These simple actions take service to a higher level, yet, they are missing in many organizations. I've expanded the Disney concept in my customer service training workshops by encouraging employees to greet customers within 10 seconds of coming within 10 feet of them. I call it the 10-10 rule.