Have you ever experienced a sense of indecision when faced with making a choice? Perhaps you found yourself unable to determine whether to continue with a job, conclude a friendship, or relocate to a different city. It’s normal. Big or small, decisions can make us feel stressed because we worry about making the wrong choice. When emotions are high, it’s hard to think clearly. That’s why a simple tool like the 10-10-10 rule can make life easier. It helps you slow down, think ahead, and feel better about the choices you make.
In this blog, you’ll learn what the 10-10-10 rule is, how to use it, and why it can make decision-making feel a lot less scary..
What Is the 10-10-10 Rule?
The 10-10-10 rule originated from Suzy Welch’s book, which was named after the rule.
It also reflects a strategy, which you’ll find described below.
It is very simple.
When you’re trying to make decisions, just ask yourself three questions: How will I feel about this decision in ten minutes How will I feel about this decision in ten In ten years, what will be my perspective on this decision?
But this rule helps to move your thinking from today’s “I have to…” to the “big picture.” You start tomorrow, not just But then all that matters even more than how things are going for me today is your most important sides in life and your true feelings in due course.
A Guide to Implementing the 10-10-10 Rule (Step-by-Step)
Let’s simplify the process into actionable steps:
Step 1: Define the Decision
Clarify the decision you are contemplating.
For instance:
- Am I inclined to accept this new job opportunity?
- Am I considering relocating to a different city?
- Am I contemplating ending a friendship?
Step 2: Pose the 10-10-10 Queries
Regarding your decision, inquire:
- 10 minutes:
How will my immediate emotions be post making this decision?
Will I experience relief, guilt, or excitement? - 10 months:
Where do I envision myself in 10 months due to this choice?
Will I feel content, stressed, proud, or regretful? - 10 years:
Will this choice hold significance in 10 years?
Will I be pleased with my decision, or would I wish for an alternative action?
Step 3: Finalize Your Decision
Upon addressing all three queries, you will often discern a fitting choice that resonates with both your short-term and long-term contentment.
That alignment indicates your decision.
Benefits of Using the 10-10-10 Rule
1. It Reduces Stress
Because we’re terrified we’ll end up making the wrong decision, decision making is often the cause of endless stress. The 10-10-10 rule is an easy way to judge every situation, which means no anxiety. With a process, it doesn’t feel like you’re just randomly guessing. Instead it feels as though you are thinking logically and clearly. Making the transition from emotional involvement to logical thought quiets both your body and mind. Even very difficult decisions will feel a bit easier now. With less stress comes not only more sleep and more health but also greater overall energy.
2. It Improves Long-Term Thinking
Many times we are too concerned about happy today and pay no attention to future. Such as always follow the 10-10-10 rule will force you to look months even years into the future, which helps you understand what this decision will actually bring merit keeps you from pursuing immediate pleasure that will bring long-term regret. Look to your future self rather than present emotions. Be less impulsive, think ahead; this is a huge advantage in life. People with a long-term perspective tend to be more successful in relationships, careers and health. Repeated practice of this rule makes us think long-term as if by nature.
3. It Makes You Feel More Confident
You become confident when you trust your own choices. Furthermore, if you apply the 10-10-10 rule and always have a clear idea why you made a particular decision, then forever afterwards you ll be free from self-doubt. Such inner certainties grow and grow with each new decision you make, building up a store of self-confidence which is hard to shake. Not only do you find that your choices stand the test when questioned by others, but This self-trust is powerful for every aspect of life, from work to relationships. The more you do it, the more natural confidence becomes.
4. It Reduces Regrets
Many regrets stem from acting on impulse rather than reasoned thinking. The 10-10-10 rule instructs us to stay deliberative before leaping into action. By envisioning the consequences of our choices over 10 months and 10 years, we can avoid rash determinations. Later, you will less likely lament “if only I had acted otherwise.” Even when a resolution does not play out perfectly, you will feel reassured that you selected judiciously. That sense of careful consideration eases moving ahead unburdened by remorse. A life with fewer regrets is calmer and lighter.
5. It Makes Emotional Situations Easier
In heated moments when strong feelings arise, rational thinking grows murky. The 10-10-10 rule offers the mind a respite, a chance to take a remove. Instead of acting rashly on anger or hurt alone, one asks how this time may look once feelings have faded. Perspective widens as emotion recedes, often letting wisdom and nuance carry the day where impatience reigned before. Relationships are preserved, positions maintained, and inner quiet kept through pausing to perceive with a cooler head. This simple suggestion schools us in equanimity, though we learn its worth without a lesson’s stress.
6. It Helps You Stick to Your Goals
While lofty aims require persistence through passing years, steady progress arises from each considered act. The ten-ten-ten principle probes whether present pickings prize prospects yet unseen. No more the simple route but the significant alone shapes the selection. This signifies sticking close to schemes of scholarship, regimes of wellness, or designs for enterprise. Step by step, such small yet stalwart decisions deliver outsize triumphs over time. Satisfaction surges from keeping compacts crafted solely for the self. A muted but mighty manner to metamorphose into the envisioned individual awaits within.
7. It Teaches Patience
In today’s fast world, everyone wants quick results. But the 10-10-10 rule reminds you that good things often take time. By thinking 10 months or 10 years ahead, you learn to wait for bigger rewards. You stop chasing instant gratification that fades quickly. You start seeing patience as a strength, not a weakness. Over time, patience helps you make decisions that truly matter. It builds a calm, steady mindset that keeps you grounded through ups and downs.
8. It Makes You a Better Problem Solver
Decision-making and problem-solving go hand in hand. The 10-10-10 rule trains your brain to slow down and think through problems carefully. You learn to weigh short-term and long-term consequences equally. Instead of reacting with fear or anger, you respond with reason. This skill helps not just in personal life, but also in work and leadership roles. Being a good problem solver earns respect and creates more opportunities. The more you use the rule, the sharper your thinking becomes over time.
Tips for Better Decision-Making
Here are a few additional tips to complement the 10-10-10 rule:
- Trust Your Gut: Sometimes, intuition plays a role in decision-making.
- Seek Advice: Talk to trusted friends, mentors, or experts.
- Write It Down: Journaling your thoughts can help clarify your options.
- Sleep On It: Give yourself time to process before making big decisions.
Read more about Decision-Making–Psychology today
The 10-10-10 decision-making rule is more than just a framework—it’s a mindset shift. By considering the short-term, medium-term, and long-term consequences of your choices, you can make decisions that align with your goals and values. Whether you’re facing a career crossroads, a financial dilemma, or a personal choice, this rule can help you navigate life’s complexities with confidence.
So, the next time you’re stuck in a decision-making rut, remember to ask yourself: How will this choice impact me in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years? The answer might just lead you to the best path forward.
What’s a decision you’re currently struggling with? Try applying the 10-10-10 decision-making rule and share your experience in the comments below! And if you found this blog helpful, don’t forget to share it with friends and family who could use a little decision-making wisdom.