The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins
In the same way there is a countdown for a rocket launch, this principle can also be applied to “launching” ourselves in life. Five seconds can transform your life, and author Mel Robbins explains how in her book, The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage. After going through a difficult period in her personal and professional life, Mel knew something needed to change. By utilising a simple count-down strategy, Mel was able to break through the fear and procrastination holding her back. Mel vulnerably shares her inspiring story in her signature humorous tone. The 5 Second Rule is relatable and uplifting. Here are the bits that resonated for me…
1. You can choose how you act
“You can’t control how you feel. But you can always choose how you act.”
2. Rescue yourself
“You need to hear this loud and clear: No one is coming. It is up to you.”
3. Just start
“Start before you’re ready. Don’t prepare, begin.”
4. See your own worth
“There will always be someone who can’t see your worth. Don’t let it be you.”
5. Be the solution, not the problem
“I was the problem and in five seconds, I could push myself and become the solution.”
6. Life is a rollercoaster
“Life is gritty and hard and then suddenly it is brilliant and amazing.”
7. Play the long-game
“We are all so afraid of uncertainty that we want a guarantee before we even try. We want evidence that if we take a risk we will “get the girl” Its a numbers game. To play any game, you have to start. To win, you need to keep going. If you want to make your dreams come true, get ready for the long game.
Life is not a one and done sort of deal. You’ve got to work for what you want.
Picasso created nearly 100 masterpieces in his lifetime. But what most people don’t know is that he created a total of more then 50,000 works of art. .. Thats two pieces of art a day. Success is a numbers game. You are not going to win if you keep telling yourself to wait. The more often that you choose courage, the more likely you’ll succeed.”
8. Focus on action, rather than feelings
“You aren’t battling your ability to stick to a diet, execute a business plan, repair a broken marriage and rebuild your life, hit your goals, or win over a bad manager- you are battling your feelings about doing it. You are more than capable of doing the work to change anything for the better, despite how you feel. Feelings are merely suggestions, ones you can ignore. To change you must do the same, you must ignore how you feel, and just do it anyway.”
9. Count backwards, then MOVE!
“Anytime there’s something you know you should do, but you feel uncertain, afraid, or overwhelmed…just take control by counting backwards 5- 4- 3- 2- 1. That’ll quiet your mind. Then, move when you get to “1.”
10. Motivation is a myth
“Forget motivation; it’s a myth. I don’t know when we all bought into the idea that in order to change you must “feel” eager or “feel” motivated to act. It’s complete garbage. The moment it’s time to assert yourself, you will not feel motivated. In fact, you won’t feel like doing anything at all.”
11. It’s ok to be scared
“It’s okay to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.”
12. Procrastination is a coping mechanism
“Procrastination is not a form of laziness at all. It’s a coping mechanism for stress.”
13. Your superpower is YOU!
“Procrastination is not a form of laziness at all. It’s a coping mechanism for stress.”
14. Consistency is king
“it’s not the big moves that change everything—it’s the smallest ones in your everyday life that do.”
15. Small things count
“Small things are not small at all. They are the most important things of all. And they add up.”
