The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage

by Mel Robbins

Courage is the ability to do things that feel difficult, scary, or uncertain. It isn’t reserved for just a chosen few.

One moment of courage can change your day. One day can change your life. And one life can change the world.

Discover your courage, and you will be capable of accomplishing and experiencing anything you dream about. Yes, even changing the world.

When it comes to goals, dreams, and changing your life, your inner wisdom is a genius. Your goal-related impulses, urges, and instincts are there to guide you. You need to learn to bet on them.

When it comes to change, goals, and dreams, you have to bet on yourself. That bet starts with hearing the instinct to change and honoring that instinct with action.

pushing yourself to take simple actions creates a chain reaction in your confidence and your productivity.

Right before we’re about to do something that feels difficult, scary or uncertain, we hesitate. Hesitation is the kiss of death. You might hesitate for a just nanosecond, but that’s all it takes. That one small hesitation triggers a mental system that’s designed to stop you. And it happens in less than—you guessed it—five seconds.

Physical movement is the most important part of my Rule, too, because when you move your physiology changes and your mind follows.

You can feel uncertain and be ready. You can be afraid and do it anyway. You can fear rejection and still go for it.

You can’t control how you feel. But you can always choose how you act.