25th November 2024
I’m always on the lookout for tools that allow me to act more decisively when faced with bigger decisions in my personal and professional lives.
The 10-10-10 Rule—a simple decision-making framework created by author and speaker Suzy Welch—is one of my favorite new tools I’ve come across.
The idea is that you pause and evaluate your decision across three timeframes:
10 Minutes: How will you feel about this decision in 10 minutes?
10 Months: How will you feel about this decision in 10 months?
10 Years: How will you feel about this decision in 10 years?
The 10-10-10 Rule functions as a neat, structured approach that allows you to create new perspective on the short and long-term impact of a decision or course of action.
If you’re going to make an impulsive short-term decision, the 10-10-10 Rule forces you to consider the long-term ramifications.
The most valuable things in life come from playing long-term games, so while there are some cases where acting for the short-term will be appealing, choosing to make big decisions that take into account your 10 year future self is the best approach.
Warren Buffett, the world’s most famous investor, credits some of his best decision making to 10-10-10 Rule.
So, the next time you’re faced with a bigger decision, walk through this exercise:
With each potential course of action, how will you feel about it in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 years?
Do that and you’ll find yourself making better decisions that compound positively toward the future you are trying to build.
Use the Rule to make great decisions & stay blessed forever.