How To Do The Things You Always Wanted To Do In 5 Seconds!

Have you ever wondered why we cannot do the things we know need to be done, even the Basic things?

Like taking a decision, running to work out, leaving your bed after you have woken up, leaving your comfortable sofa to switch off the lights.

Maybe planning a trip with friends and then eventually backing off.

Our mind is created to protect us from all kinds of discomfort, pain, or evil thoughts. It protects us from anything and everything that can hurt us physically and mentally.

The moment we think about something– a little challenging,

the hesitation triggers off. It sends a signal to our brain. The mind gets activated and starts protecting us. This is called “The spot Light Effect.”

The spotlight essentially means that we are too important and unable to do something; we think people keep a close eye on us.

One of the classic books, the all-time best-seller

“Five regrets of dying”

In the book, an Australian nurse talks about the 5 Regrets of a patient suffering from terminal diseases, and every single regret revolves around one thing.

“Only if — I wish, only if I could have done it — I wish I could have done it.”

It’s because when we are healthy when we are in our youth — our mind protects us from all kinds of hesitations, which essentially leads to procrastination.

So, what is Procrastination?

Procrastination is the behavior of avoiding activity or sets of responsibilities. Instead of doing the task, you’ll keep delaying it. It is the barrier that binds you from doing whatever you should do.

“If you put off everything till you’re sure of it, you’ll never get anything done.”

— Peale Quotes

Procrastination is one of the biggest obstacles that stop you from getting back up, making positive choices, and pursuing the desired future you’ve been dreaming about.

You think about doing something, and something holds you back, and the thing which keeps you back is hesitation. Hesitations send out a signal to the mind, and minds get overprotective, and we can’t make a decision.

We understood why we hesitate and why our mind is so protective.

Now let us have a method to battle and combat Procrastination and our inability to decide when it matters the most.

The 5 Second Rule

Mell Robins- one of the clinical psychologists from the US, presented a theory called “5 SECOND RULE.”

According to this theory, if you start counting anti-clockwise from 5 to 1 and then do that thing. You give yourself better chances to get it done.

So what happens when you first say, “5 4 3 2 1 — OK! LET’S DO IT!” And then you do it.

Once you have started doing the task, there’s a good chance that your mind will take a back foot because it thinks, and it agrees that this was not something that would hurt you.

When the brain gets into that comfort zone, it feels content with what is happening, and no harm is being done to the body. It takes a sort of a back foot, and it settles down!

You will automatically find out that the same mind that was protecting you because of the hesitation and the signal sent to the mind, and then the same reason would encourage you to do it more and keep moving forward; that is how our mind is created.

To Illustrate:

You are in a store, and you see a guy/ girl, you are dying to talk to him/her. But your brain has that fear of rejection. What now?

You know what! You’ve read this article. It’s time to apply the holy “5- Second Rule!”

Count with me. 5–4–3–2–1 and say “Heyyy!”

There you go. You did it!

It doesn’t matter what he/she replied, and you made your move. You won’t be regretting not doing so in the future. That’s what matters.

So this 5-second rule — is amazing, whenever you are stuck or decisive

or cannot take a risk or perhaps decide, start counting anti-clockwise from “5 to 1” and do it.

“You Are One Decision Away from a Completely Different Life”

― Mel Robbins

Ways “The 5 Second Rule” can help you in everyday life.

This rule worked for me in my daily routine. It made me a better human in so many ways and opened many doors of possibilities. We can expect the same for you as well.

The Boost in Courage

It isn’t just about tremendous acts of courage. Every day, we show bravery in small things and incidents. Every day, we face numerous obstacles, difficulties, and situations that may be unpredictable, terrifying, or challenging. We do so with bravery as we encounter these moments. We are getting bold.

“At the heart of everyday courage is a choice” — Mel Robbins

Such regular bravery gives birth to an absolute faith that exposes us to more possibilities and joy in our lives. The law helps you show daily bravery and courage.

Get a Lot More Done in Way Less Time

Let’s face it. It’s your responsibility. You and only you can finish it. And you know it very well. Don’t give your mind the time to think and overthink the situation. The time you could utilize in completing that responsibility. Don’t let it tell you to do the least important things and ignore the task at hand. ‘Tomorrow' isn’t a day of the week.

Just count from 5 to 1 and start doing it now! Just do it.

The opportunities won’t just come and go.

You’ll grab them! Without a second thought in 5 seconds. Now that you know how to trick your brain, you won’t waste time thinking it out.

An off-topic fun(may be) fact: a second is called a second because its the second division of an hour by 60, first being the minute.

There is a psychological factor associated with this mind game. If our mind is not overprotective, then we will be doing silly things in our lives and eventually hurting ourselves.

It makes perfect sense for our creator to create our mind with all the protections around it.

Get over your procrastination in 5–4–3–2–1!

This story is originally published on medium...