The 5 Second Rule

When you want to take action, you have 5 seconds to move your body in the direction of the action you want to take. I want to emphasize, not 5 seconds to take the action, 5 seconds to move your body in the direction of the action.

Example: I am sitting in my chair, I decide I should workout. I have 5 seconds to stand up and walk towards my dresser to put my shorts on. Then, I have 5 seconds to walk toward my car keys. 5 seconds to walk towards my car, etc.

Why this works: The 5 Second Rule works by interrupting hesitation and activating the prefrontal cortex, which drives decision-making and action, helping you bypass the brain’s tendency to overthink or resist change. Counting down from 5 to 1 creates a sense of urgency, triggering immediate action before excuses or fear take over. This simple technique builds confidence, breaks procrastination habits, and aligns actions with goals by leveraging quick, instinctive decisions.