I’m in the middle of reading Mel Robbins “The 5 Second Rule” and it is very interesting. The idea is to count backwards 5-4-3-2-1 and complete an action. This interrupts your ability to start thinking of excuses as to why not to accomplish your task.
I’ve been trying it, successfully, regarding getting up a 5am and not hitting snooze. The alarm rings. I get up and shut it off then I count 5-4-3-2-1 and head for the dog food. In the past, I shut of the alarm and climb back in bed and realize an hour later that I’m running way behind.
The 5 Second rule can be used with any sort of behavior you want to change. It is habit forming. I’m starting slow with getting up in the morning. But, I need to incorporate in when I get home from work and the first thing I want to do is sit in my chair. Honestly, I am ready to throw the chair out the front door but I know I will just use the other chair or the couch. Instead of saying I’m tired, I’ve worked all day, I will just sit for a couple minutes (which lasts the rest of the night!), Etc.…. Counting down 5-4-3-2-1 and action will stop me from thinking all that. I just have to come up with an action. It can be simple like take off my shoes and put them away. Or, get my lunch box and empty it of dirty dishes from earlier in the day. Anything that prompts you to get moving.
It gives a lot of examples of how to use the 5 Second Rule. From deciding to talk to your boss about a raise, 5-4-3-2-1 go, instead of well it’s not the right time, maybe he’ll say no and I’ll feel rejected. It doesn’t give you time to think. Maybe you have noticed you are drinking too much. When you reach for that whiskey bottle, stop count down and walk away.
It says the read time is only two hours on my kindle. I have been reading it in bits and pieces so I’m not sure how long I’ve been reading but you should check it out. She talks about the science behind the thought disruption and how she has researched the psychology behind the subject.
This is following the last book I read, “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis. This book was very good as well but it took me longer to read. It covers the lies we tell ourselves, like I’m waiting for a hero to come and save me. And, realizing the hero you need is yourself. Or, I’ll just have one more drink, and realizing there are better ways to cope with stress then drinking. The whole book is an insight to her own life and situations and how she has learned to handle things after doing them wrong. You will want to both laugh and cry with her.
These are two book I would recommend to anyone interested in self help books whether you are male or female. “Girl, Wash Your Face” tends to be more for women though. Still a great read. Might actually give the male some female insight. LOL. Give the 5 Second Rule a try and let me know if it helps. I’d love to hear from you. Live life to the fullest. Thanks for reading.
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