I was visiting with someone and they were telling me how they could not get themselves motivated. I thought about a book I had read by Mel Robbins, The 5 Second Rule, and just had to share. I so enjoyed it. The book's entire premise is how our brain talks us out of doing anything uncomfortable. The brain’s job is to keep us safe and out of danger. Yes, we used to have to worry about the next meal and the next biggest creature coming after us. However, our brain has taken it to another level, such as ignoring the alarm clock or the chores on our list. Our brain is seeking the next best dopamine hit or the easiest way to conserve our energy. I like to make light of it but it is a huge source of our problem with not doing what we intended to do. This may be eating well, not exercising, or simply not cooking dinner as planned but eating junk food instead.
In the book, Mel Robbins explains how she had a problem with getting up in the morning. She did not want to face the dread in her life. She was facing major problems with money, and work, and had problems in her marriage. The alarm would go off and she would lie there thinking about the day ahead and all her problems. She would roll over and hit the snooze button. She did this continuously day after day and you could imagine how it created so many other problems for her. Then, one night, everything changed. She was about to turn off the TV and she heard a television commercial about a rocket launching.
She could hear the famous 5-4-3-2-1 and then fire and smoke filled the screen. She watched the rocket launch. She thought to herself that she would do this in the morning to get out of bed. She desperately wanted to get her life in order and thought maybe this would help and it did! Not only did she use this method get out of bed, but started using the countdown to face anything uncomfortable.
Our goals are related to impulses, urges, and instincts, which are here to guide us. Unfortunately, these impulses, urges, and instincts can work against us. Remember, our brain wants to keep us safe and comfortable. So, when you are faced with doing something that you don’t “feel” like doing, use the countdown of saying 5-4-3-2-1 and GO. It does work. I had forgotten about this book and how I was using it. It has been well over 5 years since I had read. Well, I got the book out and going to suggest it for my book club. It is an easy read.
Yesterday evening, I had planned on making Pasta e Fagioli soup and was not in the mood. I decided to do anyway. I quietly said to myself 5-4-3-2-1 go. I got everything out and got to work. Louis came into the kitchen and was so excited that I was making it. I smiled and was so proud of myself for sticking to the plan. It does work. Try it!
Have a Beautiful Day!
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