Mastering Decision-Making. The Power of the Ten-Ten-Ten Rule

 

                                            Photo by William Felipe Seccon

In this fast-paced world we live in, making decisions can be a daunting task. Whether it's choosing between career opportunities, making financial investments, or making family plans, we are constantly faced with choices that can have a significant impact on our lives. That is where the Ten-Ten-Ten Rule of decision making comes into play. This very straight-forward approach can help us make more thoughtful and well-rounded decisions. 

What is the Ten-Ten-Ten Rule?

The Ten-Ten-Ten Rule, popularized by entrepreneur and author Suzy Welch, is a decision-making framework that encourages individuals to consider the consequences of their choices over three different times frames: Ten minutes, 10 months, and 10 years.

So how does it work?

10 Minutes: Ask yourself how you would feel about a decision in 10 minutes time. This immediate perspective helps you benchmark your initial reaction to the choice at hand. Does that decision make you feel exited, anxious or indifferent? This quick judgement allows you to tap into your gut feelings and emotions. This also ensures that it aligns with your current needs and priorities.

10 Months: Take some consideration about how you would feel about the decision in 10 months. Will it still matter over that amount of time or will it be forgotten? This longer timeframe encourages you to reflect on the short-to-medium-term consequences. Will this choice have a lasting impact on your life?

If the decision supports your medium-term goals, it can ensure that it will not conflict with your other plans or commitments. 

10 Years: Now here is where things get a little more grittier. Project yourself 10 years into the future. Will you look back on this decision with pride, or will there be a part of you that might regret it? The 10 year perspective forces you to look at the long-term implications, helping you make choices that align with your values, beliefs and long-term goals. By looking well ahead this helps make decisions which adjust to life's overarching objectives.

Applying the Rule

We can break down the Ten-Ten-Ten Rule as it applies to the various aspects of our lives with these examples.

Career Decisions: When we are contemplating a job offer, we can think about how we will feel in ten minutes which can have immediate excitement, ten months which can reflect career growth and job satisfaction, and ten years which can bring overall career trajectory.

Financial Choices: We can be faced with making major asset purchases and investments several times over the course of our life. We can consider our feelings and emotions in 10 minutes which has the satisfaction of buying, 10 months which has financial stability, and in 10 years which has an even bigger impact of our financial future.

Relationships: When deciding to enter or exit a relationship, assess your feelings in 10 minutes which satisfies your current feelings, 10 months which applies more to compatibility and happiness, and in 10 years where long-term unity and shared goals is front and center. 

Advantages of the Ten-Ten-Ten Rule

Balanced Perspective: By considering various timeframes, the rule promotes a more balanced approach to decision making, reducing the likelihood of making hasty or short-sighted choices.

Clarity and Reduced Impulsivity: Clarity over priorities and values is better achieved. We can force ourselves to consider the short-term impact. When we consider different time frames, we are less likely to make impulse decisions.

Emotional Awareness: You become more aware of your emotions and how they influence your decisions. Reducing the chances of making choices we'll regret later is the ultimate goal. By minimizing regret we can better ensure that decisions are well-rounded and not solely driven by immediate gratification. 

Risk Assessment: You can better assess the risks associated with your decision, ensuring that you are comfortable with potential outcomes in the short, medium, and long-term. Identifying risk is an essential tool. Once risk is identified, it is then easier to mitigate it.

In conclusion, the Ten-Ten-Ten Rule is a tool that can simplify the decision-making process in our complex lives. It prompts us to consider the immediate, short-term, and long-term consequences of our choices, leading to more thoughtful and balanced decisions. So the next time you are faced with a tough decision, take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself how you would feel in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years. It might just guide you on the path to a wiser choice.

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