The Rule of Ten.

A new model of thinking.

A rule which may or may not be made up

(the Good Researcher in me is not bothering to even Google it…I’m winging it…following my own Rule of Ten mentality and realizing that I just spent the last two hours researching other stuff that people are going to actually read up on and make sure I didn’t make it up and I have no interest in looking for the credibility behind a rule that I am completely content with being made up)

(whew.)

Anyhoo.

Rule of Ten.

I started a new little mantra in my world.

I know I am little bit (OK, a LOT) Type A.

Everything in my world is important, urgent and yes, indeed, I am always Right.

(don’t judge…I’m OK with it or I would have changed it years ago).

But, I realized that over the last year (or 10- hence the Rule of Ten), I have spent an agonizing amount of time attempting to reconcile decisions that I made.

Decisions that may or may not have deserved the time I invested in them.

I realized that, although potentially therapeutic in nature, the return on investment was excruciatingly low.

I was dedicating too much time detailing events and analyzing potential decisions that may or may not be important, I was completely unable to move forward.

And recently I decided I needed to stop my own cycle.

And perhaps, I came up with my Rule of Ten right around the same moment I lost 50 pounds.

(umm…see How I lost 50 pounds in 1 Day if you are confused).

Here is the deal.

When I’m moving around my little suburban world and I get to a place of potential frustration, conflict or even stalemate, I go through the Rule of Ten.

And I ask:

“Will it matter in 10 minutes?”

“Will it matter in 10 days?”

“Will it matter in 10 years?”

And based upon my answers, I move forward with a bit more confidence and a lot less of my “Urgent Urgent…Type A personality plowing through” mentality.

Life has been increasingly calmer.

I’m not nearly as reactive as  I once was.

And I am finally finding that my intentions of moving with deliberation are much easier to submit to.

Many of things that I had perceived as so vitally important are only important in moment, and not really significant at all.

Living by the Tens has allowed me to actually sit back and appreciate my life a lot more.

And appreciate the people, opportunities and challenges in a new light.

I almost feel like I am a tiny bit of a slacker.

But, I know that it works.

The Rule of Ten tells me so.

Taking the time to slow down, think and assess means that I am setting the stage of success, peace and opportunity through perspective.

Perspective is good.

(well…I’m still Type A…MY perspective is good)

(again…don’t judge…you think your perspective is good, too…otherwise you’d change it.)

Long story short.

I’m living by the Tens.

And I like it.

I’m happier.

And I kinda think that the people who surround me are probably happier, too.

Slowly but surely, my world is becoming a better place.

Thank to the Rule of Ten.