10-10-10 by Suzy Welch
Suzy Welch’s 10-10-10 touts itself as “A Life-Transforming Idea.”
I remember hearing about 10-10-10 when it first came out as an article in O magazine. The concept is great. Before every action you take, what are the consequences 10 minutes from now, 10 months from now, and 10 years from now. In other words, what are the immediate consequences, the consequences of the foreseeable future, and long term effects.
Apparently, the idea was such a smash that Suzy Welch started receiving fan mail aplenty from people successfully applying 10-10-10 to their lives, and lo and behold: we have 10-10-10 The Book.
But the book isn’t just a reiteration of the idea along with testimonies. It’s a complete analysis of WHY 10-10-10 made such an impact. In her book, Welch breaks down 10-10-10 into different components to show that it is “a life-transforming idea” because it’s no longer just some approach to making good decisions, but in fact, a way of life. A philosophy, if you will (she doesn’t use that word). Apply it to life, love, the pursuit of happiness, your job, your sex life, you name it, 10-10-10 can handle it.
I admit, I’m not generally one of the first people on the bandwagon with these kinds of books or ideas, but I have kept 10-10-10 in my mind ever since my friends first read the O column. Why? Well, for one thing, it’s simple to remember. Two, it’s easy to understand and explain to others. Three, it just plain makes sense. Even my kids comprehend it. I don’t make them examine things from the 10 minutes/10 months/10 years perspective because that’s a little too big for them, but 10 minutes/10 hours/10 days works.
Welch writes in the intro that “learning how to live from experience is part of the human condition.” Well said. If you’re in a rut (and let’s face it, who isn’t these days?), then check out 10-10-10. It’s a quick read (seriously – a couple hours) and you might feel good from all the heartwarming tales of people who overcame their struggles or you might feel inspired by Suzy Welch’s constant encouragement and faith in our individual abilities to triumph, or you might just think to yourself, hey, not a bad idea. Let’s give it a shot. In any case, it’s a win-win.
So now, the only question I’m asking myself is – what are the consequences of me bingeing on the whole tub of Dreyer’s Tagalong ice cream?
