Here’s something that helps me find the courage to BE confident, resilient and brave. It’s called the 5-second rule. It literally kickstarts me into action.
I’ve borrowed the concept from Mel Robbins. Thanks Mel. It also happens to be the simplest thing I’ve ever learned.
Let me explain, with an example…
Sometimes the alarm goes and I really don’t feel like getting out of bed. Especially when it’s dark outside and I have things to do that don’t excite me. Hey, I’m guessing you’ll be familiar with the feeling.
It’s easier to have a cheeky lie in, an extra half an hour. But my extra 30 minutes in bed means I start the day late and I’m playing catch-up all day, rushed, stressed, on edge and angry with myself.
On those mornings when my mojo has slipped, instead of rolling over and going back to sleep I count down – 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – and launch myself out of bed.
It works because your brain is very good at finding excuses for you NOT to do things. Whenever an event happens that requires you to take an action you know you should take, but don’t want to, time begins to pass while you think about it.
Humans are the animal kingdom’s best over-thinkers. The longer you leave it before taking action (the longer the gap of over-thinking time), the more likely it is that the gap gets filled with dread, anxiety, self-doubt and negativity or good old fashioned things called EXCUSES.
Those feelings settle in, get the better of you and you talk yourself into NOT doing whatever it is you could/should have been doing.
In my ‘getting out of bed’ example, if I think about it for too long my brain will come up with lots of reasons why staying in bed is the best option. My thinking is like your thinking, it can be very convincing!
It’s so warm and snuggly in here and, besides, an extra half an hour won’t hurt. In fact, it might do you good. And I can skip breakfast… I mean, who needs breakfast anyway, it’s so over-rated… and before I know it, I’ve nodded off and I’m running late, hungry and stressed.
The 5-second rule cuts the thinking gap. The alarm goes and BOOM, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and I’m out of bed and ready for action. Feet planted, sleep wiped from my eyes, I’m a readiness jinja.
Okay, yes, I might have exaggerated a little, but the point is that I’m definitely out of bed. I’ve avoided the easy option
My brain is like ‘Wow, no messin’. You mean ACTION today’.
It’s not just about waking up in the morning, the 5-second rule will work for you in all sorts of everyday situations:
Not sure you’re confident enough to speak up: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… you’ve decided to make your opinion heard
You should be going out for a run but it’s drizzling so you’re not sure if you can be bothered: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… you’re out of the door and enjoying the drizzle
There’s an amazing human being in your life and you’re not brave enough to go talk to them: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… ‘Hi there, I’m xxxx. I’m loving your trainers. Where did you get them from?’
Remember, your brain is brilliant at inventing all sorts of wonderful excuses [too tired/scared/busy/unwell/lazy/sleepy] that make perfect sense.
So don’t let it!
Otherwise we put it off… and we put it off… and we put it off… and opportunities pass us by.
The 5-second rule is an accelerator, but it also works as a brake. It can stop you doing rubbish things.
You’ve got a deadline and should be working on your laptop, but YouTube or social media is calling: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… you’re still working
About to post a negative message on social media; 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… you’ve changed it to a nice message.
About to guzzle a can of sugary fizz; 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… ‘Actually can I have a refreshing glass of water instead please?’
About to open a packet of biscuits and scoff the lot; 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… you’ve reached for a piece of fruit instead.
The 5-second rule is simple. It’s free. It’s quick. Best of all, the 5-second rule puts YOU in the driver’s seat of your own life.
Now if you listen to Mel Robbins who invented the 5-second rule, she’ll suggest there’s a whole science behind it that I won’t go into here. Take it from me, you don’t need the science, you just need to know that the 5-second rule works
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – take one action – and you will have freed yourself from the shackles of your comfort zone.
You will become a ninja of action. You will be streets ahead of those who are making excuse after excuse after excuse after excuse after excuse
After excuse
… After excuse
The 5-second rule will challenge you to push you out of your comfort zone and into your stretch zone. This is important because, contrary to popular belief, people who live in their comfort zones are actually very uncomfortable
You’ll be giving more things a go. And therefore, you’ll be growing and taking advantage of opportunities that other people will be shrinking back from
Life’s too short. Use the 5-second rule to stretch yourself into being the moving and shaking go-getter you were born to be.