5, 4, 3, 2, 1 GO!

What are the things you know you should do but never feel like doing in the moment? Flossing. Working out. Drinking water. Speaking up. Reading the book for your book club that you just haven't gotten into yet. There are so many things we know we SHOULD do to be our best selves but when the moment of truth arrives....well, tomorrow's another day right?

Recently, I discovered Mel Robbins after listening to a video of Rachel Hollis (Girl, Wash Your Face and now Girl, Stop Apologizing.)  I watched the video above and found her 5 second rule to be so smart. Mel says that we are all wired for comfort but to do the things we need to reach our goals, we need to do the uncomfortable things. For me, that is setting my alarm for 5 am and exercising. It's when I have the most energy and no excuses. If I wait until later in the day, I will never workout, so if I want to exercise (because I want a more fit body- a body that has the energy to be the best mom and teacher I can be and a body that looks nice in clothes...) then I need to do it at 5 am. 5am is dark and feels chilly. The house is silent. When my alarm beeps at that time, my instinct is to turn it off and go back to sleep. 

But after hearing the 5 second rule, I've been saying  to myself on autopilot "5, 4, 3, 2, 1- Go!" and I get up. I do the workout and I feel so proud of myself for accomplishing this one thing so early in the day. I drink more water when I exercise so that gets my water intake going first thing, which is another benefit. Saying that little countdown shifts your energy into movement and takes away that inner dialogue of "I really don't want to..."

I shared this idea with my friend who has been procrastinating some work she has to do. After we discussed her work situation, it seems that she needs to stay in it for now and the only thing she can really change is her attitude towards it and perhaps her effort. Since she hates it so much, she avoids starting it and it makes the whole enterprise longer than it needs to be. It takes her away from time she could spend with her baby or as a family. She said she tried the 5 second rule and it's been helping her to get going.

What are the things you want to accomplish? Would the 5 second rule help you get started?