The 10% Project Started as My Own 10% Project
The 10% Project Started as My Own 10% Project
(by Susan Ryan)
When I first thought about writing a book, it felt impossible.
Not just unlikely — impossible.
I had a full-time career, a busy life, family responsibilities, and about a hundred reasons why it wasn’t the “right time.
”It was easier to put it off than to start.
But deep down, there was this stubborn little flicker — a sense that maybe, somehow, I was supposed to try.
The problem was, I thought trying meant dropping everything.
I thought it meant "going all in" or "taking a huge leap."
And honestly? I wasn’t in a place where I could do that.
So I made myself a deal:
I would give it 10%.Not my whole life.
Not every waking hour.
Just a little bit — consistently — and see what happened.
Making the 10% Deal
I didn’t sit down and decide to be an "author."
I decided to spend 10% of my time exploring an idea that mattered to me.
It started small:
- One note on my phone.
- One outline scribbled in a notebook.
- One conversation with a friend about the idea.
- One Saturday morning writing session with caffine and way too many doubts.
At first, it felt almost silly — like I was moving too slowly to matter.
But what I didn’t realize then is that small steps compound.
One note led to a page.
One page led to a rough chapter.
One conversation sparked new clarity.
Momentum doesn't always look like fireworks.
Sometimes it looks like tiny footprints, quietly leading you somewhere new.
The People Who See You Before You See Yourself
One of the most powerful shifts came when someone I deeply admire — my friend Liz — encouraged me.
She saw something in me I hadn't fully seen in myself yet.
She believed in the idea.
More importantly, she believed in me.
When Liz talked about the potential she saw — about the difference this project could make — it changed everything.
Not all at once.
But enough.
It’s an incredible thing when someone holds up a mirror and shows you a version of yourself that you’re still growing into.
That’s what Liz did for me.
And in some ways, that’s what the 10% Project is about, too —
building toward a future version of yourself, one small step at a time.
Tiny Steps, Real Momentum
The more I honored my 10%, the more real the dream became.
Eventually, a rough draft turned into a manuscript.
A messy collection of ideas became a real framework.
What started as a side project became The 10% Project — a roadmap not just for my own growth, but for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start.
I didn’t change my whole life overnight.
I didn’t have to.
I just kept moving — one small, bold step at a time.
Your Turn
If you’re here, reading this — maybe you have that same flicker inside you.
Maybe you have something you’ve been thinking about doing, but life feels too busy or overwhelming to start.
I’m here to tell you:
You don’t have to go all in.
You don’t have to quit your job or uproot your life.
You don’t have to be fearless.
You just have to start.
Give yourself 10%.
Honor it.
Protect it.
Watch what happens.
Because sometimes, that 10% grows into something bigger than you ever imagined.
Welcome to The 10% Project.
I can’t wait to see where your small steps lead you.
