I read The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robins and implementing this rule is COMPLETELY changing my life, one tiny 5 second decision at a time.
The 5 Second Rule is simply this, whenever you have an impulse to do something good or that feels right, count down 5-4-3-2-1 and then take action. That's it.
It sounds simple... which it is, but it will completely change how you spend your time, your work, relationships, and most importantly your confidence in yourself to do what you feel inside is authentic to you.
Although it's simple, that does not make it easy. When you have that impulse to act, you still have to choose to count 5-4-3-2-1 and take action, which when that snooze button or donut is calling your name... is defiantly NOT what you want to do.
For me personally, I have been finding just knowing about the rule makes me more inclined to take action. When I'm scrolling on Instagram and realize I'm doing it, often times now I immediately put down the phone without even counting because I know I should. Whereas before, I would usually let my mind shut down my good impulse before I even had time to think about it, and therefore I would just keep scrolling.
Another tip from this book that is radically changing my life, is putting my phone to charge outside my room when I go to bed. It's part of Mel Robins' wake up challenge to use the 5 second rule to get up immediately, walk to the other room, turn off the alarm on your phone, and then start your day. However for me I've found just having the phone outside my room is enough to do the trick. But I know in future if I DO start having trouble getting up (aka I let my alarm ring and ring in the other room) I can always go back to the rule to 5-4-3-2-1 and get out of bed.
If you are reading this and want to start taking action in your life, get out of bed on time, improve your relationships, be more productive, stop procrastination, and go after your dreams... that's a great impulse. Take that impulse and 5-4-3-2-1 and go get your hands on some version of this book (I personally love Audible). Then start reading it and applying it to your life. The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robins does a way better job at explaining and expanding on the rule than I just did, so be sure and 5-4-3-2-1 get it!
If you want some more great reads, you can also explore my list of Books for a Better You.
To learn how to use the rule to stop procrastinating decluttering your home, click here.
Let me know in the comments what you think of this rule. Or if you already know and use it, I'd love to know how it's changing your life.
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