Stop Fear and Procrastination in 5 seconds
Procrastination
How many times have you had a spark of an urge to do something that will benefit you and before you know it, you are still sat on the couch an hour later?
I know I do it all the time.
It’s called Procrastination.
What I didn’t realise is that procrastination is something that is hard wired into our brain to keep us safe. Our brains don’t like us doing anything that is uncomfortable. But if we followed that all the time, we would still be living in dark caves with only the fire and immediate family for company (see Disney’s The Croods – it’s one of my favourites).
The Video Rundown
The 5 Second Rule
This week I came across Mel Robbins 5 second rule. It sounds simple enough, count backwards from 5 and take action.
Can it possibly be that easy?
The problem is, we all know how to do most things, it’s not difficult to Google anything and see how it is done. How to actually get off our butts and take action is another matter.
Brene Brown talks about the “How To” guides in every magazine and says if it’s that easy, we would all have the body we want, the dream job, the perfect man… After we know the how, we need to take action.
Mel Robbins came up with the 5 second rule to stop our brains in its tracks and prevent it from talking us out of the instinctive actions. It takes less than 5 seconds for us to think of something and then disregard it for something safer.
Break the Habit
By counting backward, you break unconscious [habit loops] and trick your brain into using the logical part (the prefrontal cortex]. It’s very similar to why hypnotists ask you to count back from 200 (Paul McKenna does this) because, while you are thinking of counting, you cannot be distracted by random thoughts coming in and sabotaging you.
You may think the problem with the 5 second rule is that you have all your best ideas in the shower or in totally random places so you can’t just get on with it there and then. Mel Robbins explains that any sort of physical movement connected to the thought will stop it from dying. If you can, write it down somewhere to remind you to do it later.
Implementing the Rule
I have been using the 5 second rule this week to see what affect it has had. So far I have gotten rid of the Christmas tree from the front garden, done an Instagram reel, practiced my piano scales, asked for help with the dishes, I even created a video on how the rule works all by counting 54321.
The more you use this tool, the more your brain will understand that counting from 5 means action. It’s like anything, it gets easier the more you use it.
What have you been putting off that the 5 second rule may help you with?
It may be that you are late in filing your tax return, or that you want to set up some social media marketing but just can’t face it. Perhaps you have been talking about writing a book for a long time and this could help you with the first idea steps.
Perhaps you have been thinking about working with me but haven’t yet made the call.
54321… pick up the phone!
Unless it’s the middle of the night, then write it down to do in the morning.
Take the first steps towards your own Powerful Life.
Jenny Jarvis is a practicing, certified, UK Holistic Life Change Coach and NLP Specialist who has empowered numerous people to live a life of their dreams, unleash their relationship with money and start and grow brands and businesses to great success. A truly inspirational individual, Jenny is also the mum to two amazing teens, a Reiki Master and motivational speaker. She inspires all to harness their greatness through energised coaching sessions, workshops and her membership club.
Book a free introductory session with Jenny and discovery how you might work together. Or why not get started with her FREE 'Life Change Kickstart' Mini course
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