Have you noticed the weight of thinking about doing something you know you need to do but it feels so heavy that you procrastinate and don’t do it?
Has there been something in your life you have hesitated about doing? A conversation? A new habit? An email?
A why, a habit and excuses.
Sometimes I have an excuse with writing this newsletter.
Each time I thought of it, the amount of time it takes seemed to grow in my mind.
You know what I am talking about.
The impact of listening to these excuses can be huge. For one, the lack of consistency means that you start to have a little mental war each time you go to do it. So much easier when there is a habit there.
Just like going to the gym, or having a habit of leading by walking around. When it is your identity, or your habit, the doing of it is automatic.
5 second rule
Mel Robbins, a self help guru created a 5 second rule to break the cycle of excuse giving.
If you catch yourself hesitating, count down, 5,4,3,2,1 and physically move or start the task.
This countdown interrupts your mental chatter and pushes you into action before your brain can talk you out of it.
We used to do this when we had the kids on the side of the pool when they were learning to swim. They would stand there and we would do a countdown whilst bobbing up and down and countdown from 3 and after we said 1 we yelled jump and they would leap into your arms, or into the water only to bob up on their own. The more we did this with them, the easier it was for their bodies to respond. It helped build the muscles to have the courage to do something they were hesitant about.
Nike’s legendary slogan, Just do it, captures the same spirit. This mindset has inspired millions to push past their limits and achieve more, simply by refusing to let overthinking win.
The truth is:
Overthinking drains your energy and confidence.
Action creates momentum, clarity and real progress
You don’t have to feel ready, just start.
Next time you are stuck in your head remember to count down. The hardest part is starting, but once you move, everything gets easier.
Warmly,
Michelle
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