The internet is filled with loads of tips and tricks for dealing with procrastination. There are even apps that claim to help you focus on your work and shuts down other apps that tend to waste your time.

While turning off the apps on your phone is a good idea, you cannot ensure that you will still not procrastinate. There are other distractions that are not possible to shut down, or you simply think that you have enough time, and you will do the task later. Especially, when you need to deal with your assignments and look for sources to use in libraries or go online and research paper examples with other educational pages. 

The main reason you struggle to fight off procrastination is that you do not understand what procrastination exactly is. You are not a procrastinator by nature but by habit. Your brain saves you from danger by putting off tasks that seem a bit hard or daunting, and that is why you procrastinate. The continuous habit of procrastination makes you feel that you are a procrastinator and it is part of your nature.

The renowned motivational and keynote speaker Mel Robbins swore by the Ultimate 5-second rule to fight procrastination. This rule can break off the habit of procrastination that has formed a continuous pattern in your daily life. The 5-second rule works by counting backward from 5 to 1 when you are going to delay your work or thinking of doing something but being hesitant.

The Science behind the 5-second rule

The 5-second rule works on the fact that that there is a window existing between you having the instinct to work on something and your mind killing it. This is a 5-second window that exists for almost everyone, and this is the opportunity to prepare your mind and take action before your mind kills that action.

For instance, you are doing nothing and suddenly, you think of cleaning your walkway? You think you have lots of time and you are surely going to do it. This is the five-second window that opens in your mind when you think of doing something important. If you make an excuse or delay the task even for five minutes, you are going to kill the action. Count backward from 5 while thinking about cleaning the walkway, and by you reach 1, you will probably be on your way to do the work.

Here is how to use the 5-second rule to fight procrastination in 5 super-quick steps.

1.    Recognize the instinct

It is important to understand the kind of instinct you need to recognize here. Here, instinct does not mean the first thing that comes to your mind or an irreversible rash decision. Considering every thought as an instinct and working upon it can lead you into doing destructive or harmful things.

The instinct here is the impulse you get when you know you should or not do something because you can feel it in your gut. These instincts occur when your wisdom kicks in, and your brain knows you should be doing something even if you don't feel like it.

2.    Act on the goal

One thing to understand is that this 5-second rule is not about acting on instinct but rather knowing that the instinct is tied up to your goal. Everyone has some goals they want to achieve. But due to procrastination, you end up brushing off the actions that come as an instinct to get to your goals. Once you realize this, you will start noticing these instincts come to you at some point in your day. But how to act on it and ensure you do not delay or procrastinate? The answer is in the next step.

3.    Push yourself

The 5-second rule is not easy at first. You should be willing and learn to recognize your impulses and push yourself to it. You feel the instinct, and you know it's the window of opportunity, and your brain is probably going to shut it down. Do not think of doing the action; just start counting 5.4.3.2.1 and Go. When you are counting down, you are actually setting yourself up for the action and preventing your brain from shutting down the 5-second window.

4.    Move within 5 seconds

Moving within the five seconds does not mean you jump up and start doing squats when you have an impulse to work out. Instead, move in the direction of your instinct. If you do not take a physical action within five seconds, your brain is going to kill it, and this is why the countdown works.

The 5-second rule can work for everyone, but it can be personalized. If you can do it in three seconds, then do it. If you think your brain needs a few more seconds to come into action, you can also do a 7 or 8-second countdown.

5.    Your brain can kill it

One of the main jobs of your mind is to protect yourself from danger. When you hesitate to do something, or you stop and think, your brain gets the signal that something is wrong. Your brain goes into action and tries to protect you by keeping you from anything that feels hard, scary, or uncertain.  You know there is nothing dangerous in taking a walk when you are sitting idle or calling a friend you haven't met recently. But your brain doesn't and ends up trying to sabotage you.

If you are truly exhausted or unable to do the task you are thinking of doing, your brain will kill the 5-second window during the countdown, and you will know that either your mind or body needs rest.

Final Word

If you think that the 5-second rule can work for you, then you should try it. In almost any situation, this rule is applicable. Robbins promises that this rule has effectively worked for her and thousands of her followers. Good Luck!