5 Seconds That Will Change Your Life

“The secret isn’t knowing what to do – it’s knowing how to make yourself do it.” -Mel Robbins

Would you believe it if I told you that 5 seconds could change your life? It’s true.

Have you heard of the 5 Second Rule? It is the answer to everything we have ever wanted, according to Mel Robbins, former criminal defense attorney turned human behavior and motivation expert.

It will help you be more courageous and approach the interesting person across the room.

It will give you the confidence to raise your hand to speak and share your awesome idea in a meeting.

It will help you to be decisive and roll out of bed at 430am to get your workout in.

It will keep you looking fit and fabulous and say no to cake at 830 pm.

It will end procrastination.

It is as simple and easy as counting down from 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Mel Robbins created this 5 Second Rule and started to use it when she hit rock bottom in her life and career.  She went from having an abundance of money to not having enough in her bank account to pay for groceries.  Literally, one morning, she woke up, finally had enough with being depressed and feeling sorry for herself.  She did a countdown from 5,4,3,2,1 and it changed her life from that moment on.

The 5 second rule

If you don’t know what the 5 second rule is, take a look at Mel’s explanation, and why it works so well.  Basically, anytime you have an idea that pops up into your head, you have 5 seconds before your brain (logic and saboteur) kicks in and gives you all the reasons why you shouldn’t do it.  Our brain’s job is to protect us from harm, so it’s just our habitual natural instincts in play.  That doesn’t mean that habits cannot be broken.

Those things we need to change usually start with the two words I should.  I should say something. I should get up and go work out.  I should eat a salad instead. I should call her up instead of text her. I should not have another rosé.  I should throw away the rest of those hot tamales. I should update my resumé.

Does any of this sound familiar? I bet it does!

“Knowing what to do will never be enough.” – Mel Robbins

Obviously there is more to just counting backwards to make this work for you.  We all have these mental to-do lists that are endless and never get done. Even the ones that are written down on paper either collect dust or keep getting pushed to the bottom of the pile.  Then while you sleep your head is swirling with thoughts of endless tasks.  We know what we need to do and why we need to do it yet it still doesn’t get us in action.

It’s the starting part that is the hardest!  The 5 second rule gets you MOVING. Mel goes on to say that as you continue to take action, your brain starts to build new habits which will eventually erase the old ones.  Motivation is overrated.  We can’t just wait around for it.  That’s why the 5 second rule is a great tool.  It puts us in a state of action, without waiting for motivation to appear.

What happens after you get an idea?

I bet you automatically think about another topic or give yourself excuses to do it another time or why you can’t do it right now.  That’s just how most of us are.  But if you don’t want to be like most people, and desire to break free from your own doubts and fears then the rule might just help you break those bad habits and trigger a new, welcomed behavior change.

Consciously taking control by making decisions creates something called “activation energy”.  This means the energy it takes to start something is much more than the energy it takes to keep that thing going.  The 5 second rule can create activation energy to make you start doing instead of overthinking.

How it changed my life

I used the 5 second rule when I wanted to fit into my summer jeans again without sucking in my tummy to button them up. I was tired of getting in all sorts of stretches and positions to get those on and around the tight areas of my body.  I implemented the 5 second rule to get to my body out of bed at 4:30 am to get to my 5am morning workouts.  Today, I feel stronger, leaner and healthier.

Here’s another big example.  I wanted more accountability in my business and launch it to the next level, so I sought a high level coaches.  The $15,000 jaw-dropping investment freaked me out.  But I also knew that if I didn’t invest in myself, learn from my high-level leaders and coaches who could show me how to be a better leader, I wouldn’t be able to serve my tribe and my clients to the best of my abilities.  They deserved more. So I literally counted down from 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and filled to the application form, paid online and shut down the computer. Now I am so far ahead where I imagined myself to be, all because I used the 5 second rule.

As a Mindset Coach, I know how tricky our brain can be.  I know that it takes time to shift these old habits and fears to start to turn your life and business around.  The 5 second rule is just one tool anyone can use for ANYTHING they are hesitant to do.  Getting into action and moving your butt is the first and most important step.  Once you create those positive habits, you are showing the universe that your intentions are serious. As a result, you will look back 6 to 12 months from now and be in awe of what a simple 5 Second Rule can do to change your entire life.

“If you don’t start doing the things you don’t feel like doing, you will wake up one year from today and be in exactly the same place.” -Mel Robbins