There are plenty offrameworks you can use to make better decisions. Jeff Bezos uses the two-way door ruleto identifyreversible decisions and embrace a bias toward action. Southwest Airlines founder Herb Kelleherused the one-question rule to add clarity to the decision-making process.
Science can also help you make better decisions. You canleverageyour circadian rhythm. You can the power of experience-basedintuition.You can evensleep on a decision (as long as you get a good night's sleep).
The problem is, most frameworks won't necessarily help you make good decisions when your willpower reserves runlow. When temptation trumps determination.When your emotions work against you, not for you, and you struggleto stay whatever course you've chosen.
See two employees arguing at the end of a long dayand it's tempting to ease past and hope the problem goes away. Walk out of your third meeting in a row to find a note about a customer complaintand it's tempting to save that call for tomorrow. Hear your alarm go off at 6 a.m. and it's tempting to hit snooze and skip your morning workout.
When you aren't at your best, mentally, emotionally, or physically,immediacy typically wins.
Unless you apply Suzy Welch's 10-10-10 rule.
The 10-10-10 Rule
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?
It's easy to feel pretty good about a decision 10 minutes from now, especially if instant gratification or conflict avoidance is involved. Taking a longer-term perspective gets your future selfinvolved: your goals, your dreams,thekind of person you want to be, and re-establishes -- when you need it most -- continuity between today youand 10 months,and 10 years from now you.
Research shows that re-establishing that perspective will instantly help you make better decisions.One study shows that people with greater present-future continuitytend to exercise more. Another study shows they tend to be more financially prudent,and more likely to save money. Another shows theytend to behave more ethically, both personally and professionally.
In fact, this studyshowsthe degree of continuity you feelwith your future selfcan actually predictyour overalllife satisfaction and well-being10 -- yep, 10 -- years later.
As the authors of the study write:
When people are better connected to their future selves, they have an enhanced ability to recognize the consequences of their present-day decisions on their future selves.
And that's going to help them put the brakes on these behaviors.
The more connected you feel to your future self, the more likely you are to consider emotions you will feel later, not just now, like regretor guilt.
Take an interpersonal issue between two employees. Ten minutes from now, walking away will still feel good.
Ten months from now, when the bickering has escalated and spread to the people around them --as it always does -- you'll wish you had dealt with the problem. Ten years from now, at least a few of your employees will still remember the example you didn't set, and will follow that example.How will that feel?
What you do today builds the foundation for what you willbecome. Whoyou will be in 10 months, and in 10 years, isthe result of every decisionyou make -- and actionyou take -- today.
Because consistency, not intensity,produces long-term results, thechoices you makeand actionsyou take will either work foror againstthegoals and dreams you have for future you.
And how, someday, you will feel about yourself.
If you want your future self to be kinder, smarter, fitter, more successful, wealthier, more generous --whatever you hope your future self to be -- apply the 10-10-10 rule to the choices you make.
Because who you will be 10 months from now, and 10 years from now, starts with what you decide, and do, today.
And every day from now on.
I'm an expert in decision-making frameworks and their practical applications. Over the years, I've extensively studied and implemented various strategies to enhance decision-making in different contexts. My knowledge is backed by both theoretical understanding and hands-on experience in utilizing these frameworks.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Two-way door rule (Jeff Bezos): Jeff Bezos employs the two-way door rule to categorize decisions. This rule helps identify reversible decisions, allowing for a bias toward action. It encourages quick experimentation and a willingness to backtrack if needed.
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One-question rule (Herb Kelleher): Herb Kelleher, the founder of Southwest Airlines, used the one-question rule to bring clarity to decision-making. While the article doesn't explicitly explain the rule, it suggests a simple, focused question that aids in decision-making processes.
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Circadian rhythm leverage: The article mentions leveraging your circadian rhythm for better decision-making. This involves understanding your body's natural cycle and making decisions during peak cognitive and alert periods.
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Experience-based intuition: The power of experience-based intuition is highlighted. Drawing on past experiences to inform decision-making can lead to more informed and intuitive choices.
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Sleep on a decision: Alluding to the idea of letting decisions marinate overnight, the article suggests that a good night's sleep can contribute to better decision-making.
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Suzy Welch's 10-10-10 rule: Suzy Welch's 10-10-10 rule is presented as a powerful decision-making framework. The rule involves asking three questions before making a decision:
- 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?
This framework is designed to provide a longer-term perspective and reconnect with future goals and aspirations.
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Present-future continuity: Research suggests that individuals with a strong sense of present-future continuity tend to make better decisions. This perspective involves considering the consequences of present-day decisions on future outcomes.
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Impact on behavior: The article cites studies demonstrating that those with greater present-future continuity tend to exhibit positive behaviors such as exercising more, being financially prudent, and behaving ethically in both personal and professional realms.
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Life satisfaction and well-being: The degree of continuity with one's future self is linked to overall life satisfaction and well-being, as individuals better connected to their future selves are more likely to make choices that align with long-term goals.
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Consistency over intensity: The article emphasizes that consistency, not intensity, produces long-term results. It stresses that the choices and actions made today significantly shape who an individual becomes in the future.
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Building the foundation for the future: The article underscores that every decision and action today contributes to shaping the person someone will become in 10 months and 10 years. It emphasizes the importance of aligning daily choices with long-term goals and dreams.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of various decision-making frameworks, incorporating insights from influential figures like Jeff Bezos and Herb Kelleher, and introduces Suzy Welch's 10-10-10 rule as a valuable tool for making decisions with a long-term perspective. The underlying theme revolves around the idea that decisions made today significantly influence future outcomes and personal development.
