The 10-10-10 rule; the secret to your successful career

Unfortunately, there is no mapped-out route to success. If there was, you would probably always be in traffic jams, because we all knew the way. Fortunately, there are some shortcuts you can take, tricks that make it all a bit easier. If Oprah is to be believed, the 10-10-10 rule is the key to success. This trick will help you make the right career choices.

Get rid of hasty decisions

The rule was devised by career expert Suzy Welch. She worked for a time for ‘O, The Oprah Magazine’, Oprah Winfrey's magazine, and introduced this lifehack there too. And with success. With the 10-10-10-line ask yourself how you would feel about all your choices for 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years. According to Welch, this prevents you from making hasty decisions and letting fear or stress guide you. You will thus make informed choices and also ensure that your short-term decisions match your career goals for the future. You also train your adaptability and show that you are proactive. All qualities that your employer is likely to be very happy with and that will bring you one step closer to that next promotion.

So how does that work?

You may not always realise it, but you make all kinds of decisions throughout the day that affect your career. Some choices may be bigger than others, but you can always use the 10-10-10 rule. Just imagine: you are working on your to-do list when your boss asks if you can still pick up a last-minute task. So first, you ask yourself how you will feel about it in 10 minutes. You might immediately shoot into stress, or see it as a way to score some extra points. There is no one right answer, it's all about how you feel about it and what the pros and cons are for you. It is of course tempting to avoid difficult situations right away, but that is precisely why you should look further into what that decision could mean for your future.

Indeed, the next step is to think about how you will feel about it 10 months from now. Taking on that extra task might be just the boost your next performance review needs. On the other hand, clearly stating your boundaries may also be a trait that your boss really appreciates. Again, you know yourself and your company best. Finally, look at the really long term of 10 years. What do these extra tasks do for you CV and what would happen if you don't do them or don't achieve them. It might be hard to assess sometimes, but thinking so consciously about the benefits or consequences for your future will help you in achieving your goals anyway. On to that success.

Source: The Every Girl