The 10% Rule Helps Get You Through the Day

 

When I was probably in my thirties, I realized I discovered something interesting about human behavior. I thought of it as the, 10% Rule. Over the years from my limited perspective it seems to be fairly accurate.

The, 10% Rule, is pretty simple. If you think up any common human behavior, around ten percent of the people around you participate in that behavior.

Racism? Around ten percent of people are racist or have racist tendencies.

Cheating Spouses? Once again, at least ten present of people have or will cheat on their spouse.

Thieves? Sure, around ten percent of the people will steal, most only if they think they will not be caught. Some just steal because it is easier than actually earning a living.

Entitlement? Whether you are walking, waiting inline, or driving, about ten percent of the people around feel they are entitled, and cause friction with their behavior among the people around them.

Anger or anger management issues? Once again, it seems about ten percent of the people around me are angry by default or have anger management issues.

The list goes on and on. No matter what behavior you can think of, at least ten percent of the people around you follow that behavior.

There is also the, 'good' 10%. That ten percent of people who have truly admirable behaviors.

Good Samaritans - The ten percent of people who will jump in and help out without being asked.

Volunteers - The ten percent of people who feel strongly enough about a social issue they put themselves where their mouth is. They not only talk the talk, they walk the walk.

It is hard to focus on the outstanding 10%, when every day is bombarded with the ten percent of behaviors we would rather not be exposed to.

It is even more difficult when the liar you know would change their behavior, works at an animal rescue, does Meals on Wheels, or spends time volunteering at another one of hundreds of notable endeavors.

I wish I could get through my day thinking about the great people around me, but being human, I tend to go with the flow, spending part of my day wondering why people have to behave as they do.

We are nothing if not complex. I do like to think we have evolved to where we are now. Maybe in the past, their was no 10%. There was only what people thought they could get away with.