Mel Robbins - The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage

Y ou are about to learn something remarkableit takes just five seconds to change your life. Sounds like a gimmick, doesnt it? Its not. Its science. Ill prove it to you. You change your life one five-second decision at a time. In fact, its the only way you change.

This is the true story of the 5 Second Rule: what it is, why it works, and how it has transformed the lives of people around the world. The Rule is easy to learn and its impact is profound. Its the secret to changing anything. Once you learn the Rule, you can start using it immediately. The Rule will help you live, love, work, and speak with greater confidence and courage every day. Use it once and itll be there for you whenever you need it.

I created the 5 Second Rule at a time in my life when everything was falling apart. And by everything, I mean everything: my marriage, finances, career, and self-esteem were all in the gutter. My problems seemed so big that it was a struggle each morning just to get out of bed. Thats actually how the Rule beganI invented the Rule to help me break my habit of hitting the snooze button.

When I used the Rule for the very first time seven years ago, I thought it was silly. Little did I know that I had invented a powerful metacognition technique that would change absolutely everything about my life, work, and sense of self.

Whats happened to me since discovering the 5 Second Rule and the power of five second decisions is unbelievable. I not only woke upI shook up my entire life. Ive used this one tool to take control and improve everything from my confidence to my cash flow, my marriage to my career, and my productivity to my parenting. I have gone from bouncing checks to seven figures in the bank and from fighting with my husband to celebrating 20 years of marriage. Ive cured myself of anxiety, built and sold two small businesses, been recruited to join the teams at CNN and SUCCESS magazine, and Im now one of the most-booked speakers in the world. Ive never felt more in control, happy, or free. I couldnt have done any of it without the Rule.

The 5 Second Rule changed everything by teaching me just one thing: HOW to change.

Using the Rule, I replaced my tendency to overthink the smallest moves with a bias toward action. I used the Rule to master self-monitoring and become more present and productive. The Rule taught me how to stop doubting and start believing in myself, my ideas, and my abilities. And, the Rule has given me the inner strength to become a better and much happier person, not for others, but for me.

The Rule can do the same for you. Thats why I am so excited to share it with you. In the next few chapters, youll learn the story behind the Rule, what it is, why it works, and the compelling science to back it up. Youll discover how five second decisions and acts of everyday courage change your life. Finally, youll learn how you can use the #5SecondRule in combination with the latest research-backed strategies to become healthier, happier, and more productive and effective at work. Youll also learn how to use it to end worry, manage anxiety, find meaning in your life and beat any fear.

And, thats not all. Youll see proof. Lots of proof. This book is packed with social media posts and first-hand accounts from people all over the world who are using the Rule to make some amazing things happen. Yes, the Rule will help you wake up on time, but what it really does is something far more remarkable it wakes up the inner genius, leader, rock star, athlete, artist, and change agent inside of you.

When you first learn the Rule, youll likely start using it to stick to your goals. You might use the Rule to push yourself to get to the gym like Margaret does when she isnt feeling it.

Or you may use the Rule to become more influential at work . Thats how Mal first used the Ruleto find the courage to meet with his boss and talk about his career goals (something that so many of us fear). Thanks to the Rule, it not only happened, but it went great:

Thats another thing thats unique about the RuleI may have created it, but its not just my story to tell. Inside this book, youll meet people around the world from all walks of life who are using the Rule, in ways big and small, to take charge of their lives. Their diverse experiences will help you understand just how limitless the applications for the Rule and its benefits truly are.

You can use the Rule to become more productive. Before the 5 Second Rule, Laura used to make endless to-do lists and sat around making excuses and being a jerk to herself. Now, theres no room in Lauras life for excusesonly action. Laura has increased her cash flow by $4,000 a month, finished her bachelors degree, and hiked a few 4,000 footers. Next up, run a marathon.