The 5 second rule

I’ve been listening to the 5 second rule – the book by Mel Robbins. I have to say I’ve read a lot of the books out there on motivation, psychology and habits. But this one, she’s convincing. This one point really stuck with me. So she talks about how we have instincts to act – and when these actions are outside of our comfort zone, our mind can convince us out of performing the action even though it may well better our life. So you say to yourself 5-4-3-2-1 and you do it. The point that stood out for me was its not about the outcome of that action – it’s not necessarily that you win the girl, that you win the lottery, that you get the job -in the process. It’s who you start becoming.

I know I’ve written down three things that make me happy and I try to do them daily, to meditate, work out and write. I’ve allocated times for them and even though I know these will make me happy, there are several days, I have to wrestle myself to do them. That’s pretty crazy, isn’t it. I consciously know I will feel better after these actions, and yet my mind/my body resist them. They’re simple but not necessarily easy. But I’ve done them and when I’m thinking my way out of it – I just hear 5-4-3-2-1. The point really is, is you start becoming the person who honors yourself, keeps promises to yourself and who does what they know is good for them. We all know what we need to do or what is good for us – the hard part is implementing it. And even though it may not be the outcome of what you wanted – it’s you start becoming the person you’ve always wanted to become and you’re not waiting for tomorrow, you’re doing it now. 5-4-3-2-1- you’re not giving your mind the chance to convince you out of it.