Five seconds… it doesn’t sound like a lot of time, does it? What would you say if I told you that these five seconds are what stands in the way of you being the best you, you can be? You would probably say I was crazy and in need of some help, right? I am here to tell you that five seconds have saved me from making some of the dumbest decisions in my life and also has been the catalyst for change in mindset when I have needed it the most.
In her book “The 5 Second Rule” Mel Robbins talks about how the simple step of counting backwards from five in moments of indecision, moments of fear and moments of feeling inadequate can take you out of your feelings and put you into action. Baloney, right? Sounds too simple, well it is simple but it “isn’t easy” as Mel would say. Motivation is garbage, you are never going to “feel” like it. There is just do or not do and live with the consequences.
Mel’s no nonsense tell it like it is advice has resounded with millions of people who have viewed her Ted X Talks on youtube or have tuned into her CreativeLive training sessions on confidence building, in this vain The 5 Second Rule explores the science behind our brain function and how to change our mindset against doing the things that scare us.
After all our brain is wired to protect us from things that may harm us, the fight, flight or freeze response is triggered by the same physiological activity that we feel when we are excited as when we are scared or nervous. Our brain does not decipher these feelings into categories so will automatically make us want to run away from the danger, or freeze us in place (especially for me when having to speak in public, deer in headlights, or what.)
So how does counting backwards from five help? Mel explains it much better in her book (so get it on Amazon or Audible and a million other good book sellers) it goes something like this our decision making part of the brain is the pre frontal cortex most of the time it runs on auto pilot, keeping us safe, but when there are times we need to change our behaviour or our pattern we need to interrupt this auto pilot response and we simply (not easily) count backwards from five and do an action. Now this is key, you must perform an action related to that thought – write it down, put in a diary entry, walk up to that person and speak, put your hand up in the meeting and share your idea. By counting backwards from five and doing the action you prompt your brain to change gears and you become a better person and even a happier person.
I am here writing this blog today because of the Five Second Rule, without that push, I would be still sitting on the couch second guessing myself and listening to my inner critic asking “who do you think you are”, “why would people listen to you?” I would be stuck in my retail job 12 hours a week without hope of a future. By applying the Five Second Rule to my daily decisions I have become an activist in my life. I am out there applying for jobs that before I would never have even read the job description for. I am blogging with a vision to interview the people that have motivated me, that have a vision and a passion to share. I am moving into my journey and no longer am a spectator of my dreams.
Five seconds have changed my life and my mindset and it can change yours too. Order it now The Five Second Rule by Mel Robbins. Or go to Youtube and watch
I hope you enjoy your day and I will see you next week with more Nothing but the Truth.
Namaste
Restoring my soul. 
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