This is How to Use Suzy Welch’s Rule of 10 10 10!

Should I work out today or not? That pizza looks pretty good – should I eat it? The boss wants me to stay late today, but my kid has a soccer game. What should I do? My company has offered to pay for me to do an Executive MBA, but it would mean I need to give up my weekends for a year. Should I do it? Do these questions sound familiar? With each of these common scenarios, our decisions must be made in the short-term, but the impact and ramifications of our choices will have long-term effects. The problem, however, is that many times we make decisions based on our short-term emotions at the time the decision needs to be made. Today, we are going to discuss a decision-making method called the 10 10 10 rule that we can use to gain a different perspective on our decisions.

Let’s start by…

Understanding the 10 10 10 Rule

The 10 10 10 rule was invented by former Harvard Business Review editor-in-chief and author of 10-10-10: A Fast and Powerful Way to Get Unstuck in Love, at Work, and with Your Family, Suzy Welch. It is a rule I have used a variation of to help me make decisions, both big and small, for years.

It goes like this…

Take whatever decision you need to make, and then ask yourself 3 questions:

(1)  How will I feel about it 10 minutes from now?

(2)  How will I feel about it 10 months from now?

(3)  How will I feel about it 10 years from now?

What it does is help us distance ourselves from the initial pain or pleasure we get from making a decision and really helps us see the big picture.

I am not saying you should ignore your short-term emotions and feelings because they can be important and useful. What I am saying is that by using the 10 10 10 rule you are pausing and considering the long-term ramifications of your decision.

Why Does it Work So Well?

There are a few reasons why the 10 10 10 rule works:

  It helps counter a cognitive bias that affects many of us called the current moment bias. This is a type of bias which feeds our need for instant gratification by our taking the pleasure of what is happening now, rather than the potential pain that comes later. For example, spending money now rather than saving for later. An interesting study showed that when people had to choose food for the week ahead they picked fruit, but when they chose for that current day – they chose chocolate!

  Another reason according to Welch that the 10 10 10 rule works so well: “Because it forces you, if you are using it right, to come to terms with what really matters to you. It takes you to a place where you make decisions using your values.”

  In other words, it helps you figure out what your priorities are and what you really want out of life. It helps remove you from the initial sacrifice that you are making and lets you see the big picture.

Now that we understand what the 10 10 10 rule is and why it works so well.  Let’s take a look at some examples…

Hmmm, Should I Order That Dessert

I was having lunch with my friend Molly a couple weeks ago and the waiter came around to ask if we wanted dessert. I said, ‘no thank you’, but Molly hesitated, looked at me and said to the waiter, ‘give me a minute’. She looked at me and said, “ugh I really shouldn’t”. Seeing she was in a little despair, I told her about the 10 10 10 rule and suggested she use it to help her make her decision. This is what she came up with:

(1)  How will I feel about it 10 minutes from now?

I will enjoy the taste of it and it will make me feel good at the moment.

(2)  How will I feel about it 10 months from now?

Well, it may contribute to my not having the figure I desire and the fact that it tasted good at the moment will be irrelevant.

(3)  How will I feel about it 10 years from now?

If I eat it and continue to eat similarly unhealthy foods, it could have long-lasting health ramifications.

Molly did the right thing, for her, and politely declined the dessert when the waiter came back.

My Dad’s Retirement Party

I used the 10 10 10 rule this past summer when deciding whether or not to fly home for my Dad’s retirement party. While you would think it was an easy decision, there was something that made it a bit more difficult. You see the airfare was extraordinarily high.

(1)  How will I feel about it 10 minutes from now?

My bank account would be taking the biggest hit, and although I am not cheap by any means, I am careful with how I spend money.

(2)  How will I feel about it 10 months from now?

Not being there for an important milestone in my Dad’s life would likely have left me with some regret. The financial hit would probably be less of an issue at this point.

(3)  How will I feel about it 10 years from now?

I would definitely feel regret about not going and the financial part would be completely irrelevant.

Looking at it with a long-term perspective made the choice a no-brainer, I went and am glad I did.

Although, if I had known my flight was going to be delayed by 10 hours, I may have made a different decision! Just kidding.

Grad School

Another time I used it was to decide whether to go to Miami for grad school or not.

(1)  How will I feel about it 10 minutes from now?

A little uneasy and possibly stressed as I would be leaving a secure job and moving to a place where I didn’t know anyone. Plus, I would need to sell my condo which could be a bit of a pain.

(2)  How will I feel about it 10 months from now?

If I chose to do it, I would be in Miami in 10 months in the middle of my first semester. I would have met a lot of new people by then and had a cool new life experience. Staying in Toronto would have been the easy and safe thing to do, but I could envision myself asking ‘what if?’

(3)  How will I feel about it 10 years from now?

If I went, there was a possibility that I could still be there in 10 years. I am certain I would have had a great life experience and broadened my horizons. If I did not go, there was a good chance I may have some regrets.

In the end, I ended up going and it was hands down one of the best decisions of my life! I graduated, have made a ton of cool friends, got my Green Card (yes, I’m legal!), and have had some amazing experiences.

And last but not least, met 2 of my best friends and my current Prime Your Pump conspirators, Howie and Bri!

All thanks to the 10 10 10 rule!

Until next time, use the 10 10 10 rule to skip dessert or make life-changing decisions – it’s up to you! And as always…PYMFP!
–Rick

Use It or Lose It:

Take whatever decision you need to make, and then ask yourself 3 questions:

(1)  How will I feel about it 10 minutes from now?
(2)  How will I feel about it 10 months from now?
(3)  How will I feel about it 10 years from now?

When to Use It:

When you need to make a simple daily decision or more complex life-changing decision – it works equally well for both.

What Do You Think?

Have you ever used the 10 10 10 rule or a variation of it?  Can you see yourself using it in the future? Please share in the comments below!

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