The 10-10-10 Rule Is A Powerful Decision-Making Tool for Bloggers and Small Businesses
I recently stumbled upon the 10-10-10 concept by Suzy Welch, and let me tell you—I am loving the clarity it brings for bigger decisions and even for my blogging! As someone who thrives on organization (hello, list-makers!), I knew I had to share it with you. Whether you’re a new blogger figuring out your niche or a small business owner trying to create impactful content, this process can help you make confident, strategic decisions—especially when writing blog posts.
Suzy Welch, a bestselling author, journalist, and business leader, introduced this concept in her book 10-10-10: A Life-Transforming Idea. She describes it as:
“A transformative idea that gives you clarity and control over your toughest decisions by looking at their consequences in the short term, the medium term, and the long term.”
Even Oprah.com featured the 10-10-10 Rule, calling it a “way to reclaim your life” and describing it as a system that “helps you align your choices with the life you want to create.” (Read more on Oprah’s blog here.)
So, how does this apply to blogging and content creation? Let’s break it down, shall we?
The 10-10-10 Framework
Making big decisions—especially in blogging or business is indeed a process. Sometimes, the pressure of the next step keeps us stuck, afraid to make the wrong move. That’s where the 10-10-10 Rule helps!
This decision-making strategy allows you to pause, reflect, and assess your choices across three time frames—right now, in the long run, and somewhere in between. Instead of relying on impulse or fear, you can make better choices by considering how a decision will impact your long-term goals.
Therefore, if you’re deciding on a blog niche, a content plan, or a marketing approach, this framework helps you turn new ideas into good decisions that will benefit your business over time.
Still need a little 10-10-10 Rule help? Let’s break down how this simple yet powerful decision-making process works!
The 10-10-10 Rule encourages you to ask yourself:
- What will the impact of this decision be in 10 minutes? (Immediate reaction, emotions, or short-term effects.)
- What will the impact be in 10 months? (The medium-term results—how it shapes your workflow, growth, or engagement.)
- What will the impact be in 10 years? (The long-term benefits or consequences—where will this lead?)
Let’s see how Simply Sunni might use this process for content creation:
Example: Should I focus my blog on general content or a specific niche?
- 10 Minutes: “Picking a niche feels scary! What if I get bored or limit my audience?”
- 10 Months: “Now that I’ve built a blog around a niche, I have loyal readers, steady traffic, and I’m known for my expertise.”
- 10 Years: “Because I committed to a niche early on, I’ve grown my blog into a profitable brand with multiple income streams.”
This approach eliminates second-guessing and helps you see the bigger picture before making important decisions. See why I am loving it?
How New Bloggers Can Use the 10-10-10 Rule
If you’re just starting out, content planning can be a real pain. What topics should you cover? What if no one reads your posts? Should you invest time in SEO or just write whatever inspires you?
Using the 10-10-10 Rule for blog writing can help you stay focused and create content that resonates with your audience long-term.
Before writing a post, ask yourself:
- 10 Minutes: Is this topic something I feel excited and confident writing about right now?
- 10 Months: Will this topic still be relevant, or will it feel outdated? Will it attract consistent traffic?
- 10 Years: Could this post become evergreen content that continuously brings new readers to my blog?
👉 Want to streamline your blogging decisions? Click here to download our FREE 10-10-10 Blog Starter Worksheet!
How Small Businesses Can Use the 10-10-10 Rule for Content Creation
For small businesses, content marketing is key to attracting customers and building trust. But every post should serve a purpose. That purpose may include educating your audience, answering their questions, or leading them to your products and services.
Before writing a business blog post, ask:
- 10 Minutes: Does this blog post answer a real customer pain point?
- 10 Months: Will this blog still be useful and drive traffic to my site?
- 10 Years: Can this topic be repurposed into future content, such as an ebook, social media posts, or a video?
By incorporating this method into your planning time, small businesses can avoid creating “fluff” content and instead focus on valuable, long-lasting content that continues to attract leads. After all, traffic means business!
👉 Not sure where to start? Download our FREE Simply Sunni 10-10-10 Blog Planning Worksheet for Small Businesses to simplify your content strategy!
My Thoughts on the Process
The 10-10-10 Rule could be a lightbulb moment for bloggers and small businesses looking to create content with intention and impact. By stepping back and considering how your choices today will shape your future, you can create a blog that truly serves your audience and helps your business grow.
Big thanks to Suzy Welch for this powerful framework! Be sure to check out her book and website for more insights: Suzy Welch’s Official Website.
And if Oprah.com believes this system can help reclaim your life, I’d say it’s worth trying!
Now, go grab your free worksheet, plan your next blog post with confidence, and sprinkle it with sunshine!
