Fixing procrastination can be as simple (or as complex!) as just getting started.
During the past 20 years as an executive coach, I realized that most people identify themselves as procrastinators. Deadlines can fix procrastination but if you set a false deadline that you make up in your head it doesn’t really help. This is especially true when doing new things.
The cure. Just take one step. The first steps is often the hardest. One method is from Mel Robbins, author and popular TED talk internet sensation.
Here is a summary:
Mel Robbins’ “5-4-3-2-1” method, also known as the 5 Second Rule, is a simple yet powerful tool for overcoming procrastination, hesitation, and self-doubt. The rule is based on the idea that you have five seconds to act on an instinct or decision before your brain talks you out of it.
Here’s how it works:
- When you feel the urge to do something challenging or important, immediately start counting down from 5: 5-4-3-2-1.
- Once you reach 1, physically move or take action—whether it’s getting out of bed, starting a task, or speaking up in a meeting.
The countdown interrupts your brain’s habit of overthinking or creating excuses, forcing you to act before fear or self-doubt can take over. By using the 5 Second Rule, you can shift from a passive state of mind to a proactive one, helping you build momentum and confidence
Just start, it’s the fixing of procrastination!