Originally posted on laurencmiller.com/blog
When we were toddlers, our immediate reaction to misfortune was to start crying: our primal reaction to despair.Our undeveloped social and cognitive abilities just couldn’t handle not getting our way - we were actually incapable of “bouncing back”; incapable of comprehending that getting our way every moment of every day is actually not the norm! Every kid hears the “life isn’t fair” spiel from a parent or a teacher and, with time and maturity, we learn to become resilient.
Resilience- the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties - is a learned behavior.As babies we wail with tears, as kids we pout, teenage years are spent eye-rolling and “whatever”-ing, and as adults we learn to adapt, to bounce back, to pick our battles.We learn ways to work through our disappointments and setbacks.We learn to coexist with our stressors.
This framework affords us an immediate, mid, and long-term view of the impact of our decision. However, this rule has lost its power in business and organizational settings since Welch developed it.
And yet, some times are so particularly heated and pressure-laden that the tools we learned over time just don’t cut it.That gut-wrenching argument with a spouse, that work meeting that makes your blood boil, that big decision that keeps you up at night.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”.This framework affords us an immediate, mid, and long-term view of the impact of our decision.
However large or small the crossroads, this rule does indeed help.It is particularly good for interpersonal relationships.For example, will waging a cold war with my spouse about the wet towel on the floor today really matter in 10 months?Will that rude jab my sister made really matter in 10 years?Maybe it will, maybe it won’t, but I promise using the 10/10/10 rule will allow your gut to guide your action.
However, this rule has lost its power in business and organizational settings since Welch developed it.First, 10 years at one job or one company is almost unheard of these days.Secondly, with the absolutely unrelenting pace of change in organizations, 10 years is likely not in your organizations’ vocabulary in any real way.We now strive to be agile - planning quarter-to-quarter with detail given the data we’ve analyzed, and year-to-year with more broad strokes organizational planning.And on the same token, 10 minutes is too short of a time to properly assess the "drama du jour”at the office - the old expression “let me sleep on it” holds true here - it often takes a day to really assess your next move.
With the absolutely unrelenting pace of change inorganizations, 10years is likely not in your organizations’ vocabulary in any real way.
So, in order to build resiliency with business contexts and decisions with your team or organization, I propose an adaptation of this rule:
“Will this [stressor, decision, setback] ultimately matter in
10 days?
10 weeks?
10 months?”
10 days (instead of 10 minutes)gives us a reasonable amount of time to predict.10 minutes is too short - we’re often still on the same call or same meeting 10 minutes later.A week-and-then-some is much more realistic way to imagine our decision’s impact.
10 weeks as a mid-term view (instead of 10 months)fits nicely into about-a-quarter long.Will this matter next quarter?Or will the consequences of my decision be old news as the company strives to be agile and adapt to the next challenge?
10 months (instead of 10 years)is much more reasonable for a business decision crossroads.Five and ten year plans definitely have their place, but it is unlikely one decision will singlehandedly alter a 10-year roadmap.Therefore, 10 months is manageable and realistic way to manage a long term reflection.
The important thing is, in each of these scenarios - 10 days, 10 weeks, 10 months - we can actually picture ourselves in each scenario, "looking back to the future" on the difficult crossroads.This framework allows us to more appropriately make sensible decisions, maintain composure, and think through consequences.
What I like best is that it's easy to remember under times of high stress.Try scribbling it on a post-it note the next time you're about to go into that stressful meeting.Practice using my 10/10/10 adaptation out see how your resiliency builds, grows, and adapts.
Originally posted on laurencmiller.com/blog
FAQs
This rule is, in essence, asking yourself “What will be the consequence(s) of my action/decision in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years”. This framework affords us an immediate, mid, and long-term view of the impact of our decision.
What is the 10-10-10 decision-making rule? ›
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 are the 10-10-10 rules? ›
The framework is simple: before you make a decision, ask yourself three questions: 10 minutes from now, how will I feel about this decision? 10 months from now, how will I feel about this decision? 10 years from now, how will I feel about this decision?
What is the 10-10-10 coping skill? ›
The 10-10-10 strategy
It's a simple philosophy that goes like this: When you are making any decision, whether in your personal or business life, consider how the course of action you want to take will make you feel ten minutes from now, ten months from now and, finally, ten years from now.
What is the 10 * 10 * 10 rule? ›
One way to analyze the short-term and long-term consequences of your work-life-balance decisions is to apply the 10/10/10 Rule: to ask yourself how you'll feel with the options in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years.
What is the 10 10 10 rule for stress? ›
This rule is, in essence, asking yourself “What will be the consequence(s) of my action/decision in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years”. This framework affords us an immediate, mid, and long-term view of the impact of our decision. However large or small the crossroads, this rule does indeed help.
What is the 10 10 10 rule in therapy? ›
The premise, created by Suzy Welch, is this: Consider your decision and weigh how each of your possible choices will have an effect in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years (which really means right now, in the foreseeable future, and in the distant future).
What is the 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.”
Why should we use 10 10 10 strategy? ›
10/10/10 forces us to shift our spotlights, asking us to imagine a moment 10 months into the future with the same “freshness” that we feel in the present. That shift can help us to keep our short-term emotions in perspective.
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.
Empowerment Tools. Feb 22. Another useful strategy when approaching doing something uncomfortable is the 10-10-10 Rule. The 10-10-10 Rule is simply thinking about how you will feel in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years.
What is the 10-10-10-70 rule? ›
This principle says for each dollar you earn or are given, you should save 10%, share 10%, invest 10% and spend 70%. A key part of this formula is “paying yourself first” which means the first 30% of your earnings are paid to you, for your benefit … for your retirement, for emergencies, and for sharing with others.
What is the 10x10 rule in front office? ›
An employee who begins the conversation with the guest at least 10 feet away creates a favourable impression on the hotel property. This 10×10 rule makes the guest feel welcome by encouraging their conversation. Maintain good eye contact; eye contact is very important because it shows attention and respect.
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 the 10 10 10 rule in finance? ›
There are several different ways to go about creating a budget but one of the easiest formulas is the 10-10-10-70 principle. This principle consists of allocating 10% of your monthly income to each of the following categories: emergency fund, long-term savings, and giving.
What is the most common decision rule? ›
This piece will introduce the most common decision rules—majority, chair decides, unanimity, and consensus —as well as some variations and steps for navigating them as a participant.
