One of the most helpful life tools I ever learned came from an inspirational coach and teacher named Rich German.
Rich is all about habitual practices that make people feel good. I began a daily 10/10 practice last September following one of his free teleseminars and the results have been amazing. The 10/10 practice has changed my life. (Sounds cliche — but it’s true!)
One of my coaching clients, Mary Ann Bailey, recently wrote about the 10/10 list in her blog, Quiet Courage: Living Life With Enthusiasm and Intention.
By reprinting her blog entry, I get to introduce you to Mary Ann and her work, as well as to the 10/10 practice. After you read her piece, I encourage you to sit down immediately and make your own 10/10 list for today. Then let me know what happens.
The 10/10 List
by Mary Ann Bailey
A couple of weeks ago I was having one of those days where everything seemed really hard and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I couldn’t find energy to work on my writing and I was feeling a little depressed as my coaching business was taking a real hit because of the recession. It was one of those “poor me” days which I really hate but I couldn’t seem to get myself out of that space.
Fortunately, my weekly call with my incredible coach was scheduled for that day. We discussed my less than optimistic mood and she asked me if I knew about something called the 10/10 List. She thought it might be a good exercise for me to try for awhile and see if could my shift my focus from “something’s wrong” to the more centered place of “nothing’s wrong”. I agreed to give the exercise a try. I have been doing it for a week and it’s incredible! Here’s how it works.
Every morning I start the day of my creating my 10/10 List. First, I write down 10 things for which I am grateful. Then I write down 10 things that I would like to invite into my life. These can material things such new clients or exciting projects or less tangible things such as patience or laughter. I create my list, sit with it for a few minutes and then put it away and begin my day.
Acknowledging the things I am grateful for is a very uplifting way to start the day; and by creating a list of the things I want to invite into my life, I am opening up the channels through which I may actually attract those things.
I don’t know how it works, but I can tell you that doing this list every morning has resulted in concrete outcomes, (new projects, new clients, etc), as well as a greatly increased feeling of excitement and enthusiasm for my work.
I recommend the 10/10 list exercise for everyone, but especially those people who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed or a little down in the dumps. Try it and see what happens!
Mary Ann Bailey is author of “Gentle Warrior, Awakening the Courage to Live a Bold and Brilliant Life” (June, 2009). She is also a personal coach, freelance writer, inspirational speaker, and fabulous human being.