Member-only story

Mel Robbins' secret: The 5-second rule.

T is typing…
4 min readJan 27, 2024

--

Mel Robbins has become a prominent figure in the field of personal development and motivation. She has introduced a powerful yet straightforward technique called the 5 Second Rule, which aims to help people overcome procrastination, break free from limiting beliefs, and take immediate action toward achieving their goals. The 5 Second Rule is outlined in her book of the same name.

The Core Principle of the 5-Second Rule

The 5 Second Rule is based on the idea of “impulse control.” Many times when we are faced with a task or have to make a decision, we tend to hesitate and allow our minds to come up with excuses and reasons to procrastinate.

The 5 Second Rule aims to overcome this internal resistance by creating a small window of opportunity, during which we must take action before our minds can sabotage us.

Here’s how the 5-Second Rule works:

  1. When you have an impulse to act, count down from 5 to 1. This simple act of counting creates a sense of urgency, preventing your mind from overthinking or rationalizing.
  2. As you count down, get your body moving. This could be anything from taking a step forward to getting up from your chair. Physical movement triggers the brain’s movement center, overriding the negative thoughts that might hold you back.
  3. After you reach 1, take action. Don’t give your mind a chance to second-guess or hesitate. Just do it!

--

--

No responses yet