5 second rulebyMelRobbins, the ultimate brain hack
Not to be confused with the 5 second rule that proclaims your pizza slice will be fine to eat and germ free, if you rescue it from the floor within 5 seconds of impact.
This rule is a brain hack that forces you to take action.
So this book should transform your life, work, and confidence with everyday courage.
A bold statement.
Let’s explore.
The blurb on Amazon gives you some impressive stats. This is not a recent book; it's now over 5 years since the publication.
- Nearly 2 million copies sold
- Audible's #1 Nonfiction Book of the Year
- Amazon's 6th Most Read Book of the Year
- 100,000 five star reviews (across all formats)
- Published in 33 languages.
It's a simple tool, backed by research, and it has changed the lives of millions. It will work for you too if you buy into the concept.
So what is it.
Well very simply, when confronted with a decision or a choice, you force yourself into going with your gut instinct. You start counting down 5-4-3-2-1 and you move, you do it.
You can follow the finishing 1 with a 'just do it’, go for it or even a f*ck it and you go and you do it.
It’s a fact that we’ve become lazy (or is it just me), the order of the day is very succinctly tempered toward inactivity or bone idleness as I prefer.
Not everyone, but I’m willing to bet you can recognise that trait to a degree, in yourself. That job you keep putting off, that career step you repeatedly talk yourself out of.
We have a lifetime of bad habits that prevent us doing what we’d like to do, taking us out of our comfort zones, preventing action.
So how do we get out of this cycle, read this book and let it motivate you to better things, change yourself.
Rewire your thought process.
OK so let’s put it into practice.
It’s bloody cold -6.
Snuggled up on the settee.
Can’t afford to have the heating on.
Kitchen is bitter and a place best avoided.
3 pairs of socks on.
Big thick dressing gown, plus blanket.
Desperate for a hot drink.
Can I brave the kitchen.
5-4-3-2-1 just f*cking do it.
Moved my arse.
After much deliberation.
And homes under the hammer.
Made my brew.
Well done lad, you’ve won the day.
Perhaps not the best or most productive example but you get the picture. Use it to get a job done, get out of bed, speak to someone, introduce yourself, ask for a raise, make a plan, go to the gym, go for a run, don’t smoke that cigarette, don’t have that pint of beer, tell your boss its a wank idea.
Just bloody do it, go with your first instinct.
"The 5 Second Rule The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will stop you."
The science.
The science behind the 5-second rule is compelling.
Your prefrontal cortex is the part of your brain that governs focus, change, social interaction, moral judgment, fairness, self-control, prediction of the future and decision making in conflict situations. When you count backward, 5-4-3-2-1 – you take control of your prefrontal cortex, instead of excuses, it brings focus.
It teaches you one very important thing and that is; how to change. How to step outside your comfort zone and be more productive.
The 5 second rule works on you, you stop yourself from changing all the time, you hesitate, then you overthink and then its game over, you're in a mental jail.
Hesitation is the killer, it's sends a stress signal to your brain, a red flag and you automatically go into protection mode.
This is how we’re naturally wired to fail.Waiting, doubting, holding back, staying silent, avoidance, worry, overthinking.
These are habits that you need to change. Your brain is wired to protect you, stop you changing, stop you doing anything remotely scary.
"Hesitation is the kiss of death. You might hesitate for a just nanosecond, but that’s all it takes. That one small hesitation triggers a mental system that’s designed to stop you. And it happens in less than—you guessed it—five seconds."
The authors view on motivation is revolutionary and spot on, forget motivation, when it comes to it, 5-4-3-2-1 and f*cking do it. Don't let your your brain sabotage your efforts.
"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."
The author did very well to squeeze 250+ pages out of this content. The essentials could easily be compressed to a dozen pages. Not undermining the principles but it is a very simple concept.
Unless countless success stories inspire you, then fill your boots and devour every word of positivity, we're all different so whatever works.
I did skim read a lot, as there's only so many stories and examples of how the rule can positively impact your life, you can read.
So is the book worth buying into, definitely yes. There's a little part of us all in this book, a bad habit, a failure to act, a regret and this gives you a way to change.
And it's easy, try it.
Mel Robbins has made a career from self help and she's very good at it, her YouTube channel has 1.5+ million subscribers.
There's also a website and podcast in which Mel gets more personal, she's extremely relatable and provides the tools and the inspiration you need to improve your life.
She gets her message across very well and is a talented public speaker, albeit one with a hell of a lot to say. You'll struggle to find a video under an hour, so if you explore, prepare for a long journey.
Bring snacks.
