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The 5-Second Rule

habits · easy · 5 seconds per use

What is The 5-Second Rule?

When you have an impulse to act on a goal, count 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move before your brain kills the impulse. Interrupts the habit of hesitation.

Is there evidence for it?

EVIDENCEemerging

How do you do The 5-Second Rule?

  1. 1.When you know you should do something (get up, speak up, start working), count 5-4-3-2-1
  2. 2.On '1', physically move — stand up, open the document, raise your hand, whatever the action is
  3. 3.Don't think. Don't negotiate. The countdown interrupts the 'excuse generation' circuit
  4. 4.Use it for: waking up, starting tasks, having difficult conversations, speaking in meetings
  5. 5.It works because it activates your prefrontal cortex and interrupts the anxiety loop

How long does it take?

5 seconds per use.

Is it hard to start?

easy.

> how Shift handles habits and addiction

Source: Mel Robbins (The 5 Second Rule)
habits · motivation · productivity · confidence · procrastination
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Related in habits

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> everything in habits

This is one entry from the library Shift matches against. It is general information, not advice about you, and nothing on this page came from anyone's conversation.