How the 10-10-10 Rule Can Help You Build a Legacy

Back in 1997, Suzy Welch, torn between competing priorities, found herself drowning in a flood of choices. Work, family, health—it was all pulling at her. That’s when she devised the 10-10-10 Rule. This simple, yet powerful framework has since helped thousands navigate the chaos of life and work. The rule asks: How will the decision affect me in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years? It forces you to step out of the whirlwind of emotions and consider the long game.

Most men today live with constant demands on their time—work meetings, family obligations, and the pressure to succeed. This creates a storm of reactive choices, leaving many feeling like they’re never truly in control of their path. The 10-10-10 Rule cuts through the noise by providing a clear lens to make decisions based on what truly matters, not just what’s loudest.

Breaking Down the 10-10-10 Rule

The beauty of the rule lies in its simplicity. Picture a decision you’re facing. Whether it's something as small as taking on another project or as big as moving cities, this rule gives you perspective:

1. 10 Minutes: How does this decision feel right now? Immediate feelings are important, but they can be deceiving. The allure of quick rewards often blinds us to long-term consequences.

2. 10 Months: Now think about where this decision will leave you in about a year. Will you feel overwhelmed by saying yes to one more commitment, or will you feel empowered by a bold career move? In this window, the consequences of your actions start to unfold.

3. 10 Years: Finally, zoom out to a decade. Is this decision building a legacy, or is it chasing a short-term gain? This perspective often clarifies whether something truly matters or is just noise.

Why It Works: The Science of Perspective

Studies show that human beings are wired for immediate gratification. The dopamine rush from quick wins feels great in the moment, but it rarely builds lasting success. A 2015 study from the American Psychological Association found that people tend to overestimate short-term rewards and underestimate long-term impact when making decisions.The 10-10-10 Rule disrupts this tendency by forcing you to consider how your decisions play out over time.

It also taps into the principles behind Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow Theory. When your decisions align with long-term goals, you’re more likely to experience flow—a state where you’re deeply engaged and fulfilled in your work. Flow doesn’t happen when you’re chasing quick wins, but when you’re building something meaningful over time. The 10-10-10 Rule helps you stay in that lane, ensuring your choices lead to deeper satisfaction and less distraction.

Applying the 10-10-10 Rule in Life and Business

In Business:

Imagine you're offered a promotion that requires longer hours but promises a bigger paycheck. In 10 minutes, the answer might seem obvious—take it! But what about in 10 months? You might feel worn out, missing time with your family, or even resenting the extra hours. Now think 10 years ahead. Will the extra money matter more than the relationships and experiences you sacrificed along the way? By using this rule, you ensure that your career choices reflect your true values, not just the moment’s pressure.

In Life:

Now, consider your personal life. You’re tempted to skip your morning workout to hit snooze. In 10 minutes, you’ll feel great under the covers, but in 10 months, you might regret it as your fitness and energy levels decline. In 10 years, that daily choice compounds, and the difference is stark—either a body that’s fit and strong, or one struggling under the weight of neglect.

How to Use It Daily:

1. Start Small: Use the 10-10-10 Rule for minor decisions like taking on extra meetings or skipping personal commitments. Over time, it will become second nature.

2. Apply It to Big Decisions: When considering career changes, significant purchases, or family choices, use this framework to ensure long-term alignment.

3. Reflect Often: After making decisions using the rule, reflect on them regularly. Did the choice hold up in hindsight? Did it move you closer to your long-term goals?

Call to Action: Live Fully with Fewer Regrets

The reality is, life is filled with choices, and many of us default to what’s easiest in the moment. But winning in life and work isn’t about sprinting from one decision to the next—it’s about making the decisions that will matter long after the moment has passed. As Tony Robbins says, “It’s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”

The next time you're faced with a choice, pause. Use the 10-10-10 Rule to guide you, and ask yourself—where will this leave me in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years? The clarity that follows will transform your decision-making and move you toward a life of deeper fulfillment, fewer regrets, and greater success.

Hope this helps you move the needle to becoming your best self and living a better life.

Cheers,

Matt

P.S. If this was helpful for you, it might be helpful for someone else. Feel free to share it. My goal is to help as many people as possible stop settling and start living. 🤙