The 5 Second Procrastination Cure

A friend recently told me she heard about a five second rule that supposedly helps you fight the urge to procrastinate – a procrastination cure, apparently. A bit skeptical, I procrastinated on finding out more about the rule. Eventually, I got around to learning the rule. It goes like this: when you tell yourself it’s time to [insert chore here], you have five seconds before your brain says, “ah forget about it.” If you count backwards from five to one, your brain is supposed to stay motivated and get you going. Mel Robbins, author of this 5 Second Rule, explains it all in her blog The Five Elements of the 5 Second Rule.

Maybe this will work for you. If so, great! If not, no worries. There really are no solid “cures” for procrastination. Some people argue that the only reason people procrastinate is because of stress – we want to avoid the bad feeling associated with the task. However, there are other reasons we put off tasks:

• Not knowing where or how to start.
• Values conflict.
• The task requires more time than is currently available.
• An emergency or other distraction comes up between preparing for and beginning the task.

Your procrastination may have valid reasons; just make sure you address those reasons – figure out where to start, schedule the time necessary, etc.

However, when you’re running behind and need to finish something that you have been avoiding, here are some solutions you may find helpful.

• If keeping your word is important to you, promise someone that you will complete the task – and have them hold you accountable.
• Pair the task with something you enjoy such as listening to music or having a friend over to provide encouragement.
• Work on the task for a manageable chunk of time. It is amazing what you can do in 20 minutes.
• Schedule it before something you’re looking forward to doing, e.g. Go for a bike ride as soon as you finish ten minutes of filing the papers on your desk.

You might even decide to work with a coach.

-Sydney Metrick