The Five-Second Rule 

Review #23 based on the book by Mell Robins

The Psychology of Persuasion.

 

It’s 6 a.m., and the alarm buzzes. Mechanically, I turn it off. That’s when my daily fight between what I NEED to do and what I WANT to do starts.

After a couple of times hitting the snooze button, I look at my phone and start checking incoming messages. Fifteen minutes later, I finally get out of bed and begin my routine; shower, shave and dress for work.

It is now almost seven, and now I have to get to the car to beat the traffic, so forget about breakfast, just grab an apple and head out. An hour and a half later I’m in front of the computer thinking: Should I open e-mail or finishing yesterday’s to-do list?

We all procrastinate, and it doesn’t matter how often our parents, teachers, or coaches told us to do something, it only depends on ourselves to do it.

Maybe you relate to my story, and now at quarantine, you also found out it was not about the commute, the chat at the office, or waking up at the same time. There is no excuse; you still can’t finish your work on time.

If only we knew the secret to stop procrastinating.

Well, I have splendid news for you. I’m going to share with you the most wonderful and simple way to do it. And let me emphasize I said “simple” and not “easy.” Once you use this technique, you won’t have any more excuses.

The secret is so simple that you can learn it in just 5 seconds, just as I did.

The lessons learned

I have to confess: When I picked up “The 5-Second Rule” by Mell Robbins, I thought it was about when food falls to the floor, and you pick it up.

I never imagine that it would change my life with a magic trick that takes you just five seconds to break procrastination, finish your tasks, and follow your dreams.

The 5-Second Rule changes everything, overthinking, doubting, and procrastinating. It also helps you have a productive, happy, and fulfilled life.

We hesitate about what to do or which path to follow, and we freeze before acting, knowing that many times when we don’t take the first step, we might lose the opportunity.

It only takes 5 seconds to begin.

We’ve all seen a movie or a documentary of a spaceship about to launch. The countdown starts. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and we hear an enormous bang and watch the liftoff. We have programmed our brain for years to expect the last 5 seconds before something starts or a rocket lifts off the ground.

So the rule applies to you when you doubt, procrastinate, or distracting; take a deep breath and say: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and lift to action.

Don’t wait to put this to wait. Among the millions of people that lived on earth, there is only one like you. You are unique and have a special gift.

So, what are you waiting to be, all you can be? Don’t keep the world away from all the things you can teach.

Many times, our fear stops us from taking the next step. And later, we regret the things we didn’t do. Our internal dialogue tells us, “I Should Have,” “I Could Have,” “I Would Have.” Stop thinking this way.

Change your internal dialogue and use “The 5-Second Rule”. Start doing it even if you’re afraid of failing; it doesn’t matter if you are wrong; learn from your mistakes and do it again.

Sets of Threes for Being Productive, Happy, and Fulfilled.

Productive.
Change is simple. You would never start a trip without all the right equipment, so consider these three vital steps to becoming the most productive person:

• Take care of your body; start an exercise routine if you don’t have one, try to eat healthier. Avoid excessive carbs. Unless you are running a marathon, you don’t need them, and finally, try to sleep for eight hours.
• Increase Productivity; by reclaiming your morning, when the alarm starts, turn it off, and count 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and get out of bed.
  Plan your day, set your goals, schedule your work, and break times, consider taking short five-minute breaks each hour to breathe and stretch. Also, plan your mealtimes, when to start, and the time you should end.
• When you are working, stop procrastination by putting away your phone, stop browsing, and keep a simple idea of WHY you’re doing this.
  Set triggers or alarms to keep you on track. Forgive yourself for procrastinating; just count 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and DO IT!.

Happy.
They say happiness is a state of mind, and it is true. Have you noticed how cheerful people always seem younger than they are?

So what are you waiting for, start rejuvenating by working your mind with these three steps:

• Stop Worrying; it is a waste of time, only messes with the mind, and steals your happiness. Instead of worrying about things you cannot change, shift your mind to what you can do.
  When your thoughts take you somewhere dark or negative, remember, YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO.
• End Anxiety; it will only make you nervous and restless. You will start to over-breathe, your heart rate increases, and you’ll start sweating.
  The funny thing is that being excited feels the same way. Anxiety and excitement are both aroused emotions that get you ready for action, so both are physiologically the same thing; now, whenever you feel anxious, REFRAME YOUR ANXIETY AS EXCITEMENT.
• Beat fear; is a natural and primitive human emotion alerting us of an unpleasant or dangerous situation, physical or mental. It will freeze you and stop you from acting, whether the threat is real or imagined.
  If you’re afraid, close your eyes, create a positive anchor thinking on why you want to do this task, take a breath, count 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and act.

Fulfilled.
What does it mean to live a fulfilled life? There can be many definitions, but these three examples might help you:

• Build Confidence; Confidence is not a matter of personality, but the way you believe in yourself and what you can do.
  Go out of your comfort zone and try something new, the more things you do, you’ll either succeed or survive and learn from the experience of gaining new abilities and become more self-assured, increase the confidence-competence loop.
• Pursue your Passion; start exploring to find what you love, use your curiosity, and pay attention to what your heart wants.
  If you’re jealous of someone else, it may give you a clue into what you really want for yourself. Commit to doing what you love and have faith that you can make anything happen.
• Enrich Your Relationships; regardless of how much money you have, you will not take it with you after you die, avoid being the richest and loneliest soul at the graveyard.
  How good it is to be successful if you don’t have anyone to share it with, reach to your family and friends, and share with them. Leave nothing important unsaid.

In the end, it is all about you.

Today many people are going to change their world by quitting a job they don’t want, starting a long due project, or asking for a promotion in their career.

It does not predetermine your life; you can always have the option to change.

Change your body, change your mind, change your attitude, and reach for your dreams.

Write what you want to do, and plan, learn whatever you need, follow your love, and your passion.

Have a productive, happy, and fulfilled life; look for people to help you and to travel with you on your journey.

So, what are you waiting for? Just say… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, AND GO FOR IT.

P.S.

If you’re looking for a book to read, to lift your spirit, and help you achieve your dreams, I sincerely recommend “The 5-Second Rule” by Mell Robbins and be ready to learn how to avoid procrastinating, through facts, anecdotes, and some moments of history.

It will help you be more confident, happier, and stop being afraid to express your ideas.

So, get ready to lift your life like a rocket to the moon.

We intend this summary for educational purposes, not as an alternative to the book.

If you are interested in a copy for yourself, click http://bit.ly/My100BooksProject023_pdf 👈

If you want to know more about the author, go to https://www.robertcialdinibf.com/