The 5 Minute Rule | #35
Beating procrastination in a simple way
Hello 👋 Pranav here
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I recently stumbled upon a very interesting way to beat procrastination by a method called ‘5 Minute Rule. I learnt it from Matt D’Avella
No matter how productive you have been, it can be challenging to get started on a big project or start a habit.
Let’s see why are we wired to failure in the first place.
People hate being uncomfortable. So we have built powerful systems to take over when we fill threatened or anxious or in danger
Limbic system- The limbic system is the part of the brain involved in our behavioural and emotional responses, especially when it comes to behaviours we need for survival
Any threat from monsters or spiders triggers a rush of adrenaline and cortisol which activates the body’s most powerful defence systems. Once that red alert goes off, the body will do anything to prevent itself from being in harm. This is where procrastination comes in
In the book ‘Switch’, the author says that “Procrastination is a result of the conflict between the emotional and logical sides of our brains”
The emotional side of the brain is always looking for comfort. It wants to avoid difficult tasks that don’t offer an immediate reward. Due to this, we cannot go for a run in the morning even though we have a great playlist
On the other side, the rational side is great at long-term planning. It might seem perfect for tackling difficult projects but can get spun out overthinking things if tasks got complicated.
So how to get work done without that panic attack?
It’s simple- LOWER THE STAKES
Writing a book can take years
Running a marathon can take months of practice
A 15-minute video can get days to make
We don’t want to get started on things when the amount of time and energy that we have to put in is very high. So make things easier for yourself
Instead of sitting down to do something that gives discomfort, promise the brain that is going to work on a tiny but specific part of the task for 5 minutes.
Once five minutes up, free to do something else, even if is not work
Now tell me, what is easier- Make a successful YouTube channel or spend 5 minutes coming up with new ideas?
Now some of you will ask, how can working or starting with 5 minutes affect the outcome of a really big project that might take months to complete?
But the answer is, you never stop working for just 5 minutes.
If you don’t want to do something, make a deal with yourself to do at least 5 minutes of it. After 5 minutes, you will end up doing the whole thing- Instagram’s founder Kevin Systrom
The rule tackles procrastinating at its root- FRICTION
When the task is broken down into tiny habits or ways to get started our body doesn’t see the task as a threat. It's not like our mind doesn't like handwork, we just don’t like the idea of it. When we start doing work, we are in momentum. We are in gear.
So whenever you feel lazy, pull out a 5-minute timer and start working. (PS. Don’t use Instagram after the time gets over, just continue working)
Weekly Recommendations
Read
Here’s another newsletter by James Clear on how to stop procrastination by a 2-minute rule- How to Stop Procrastinating by Using the “2-Minute Rule” by James Clear- https://jamesclear.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating
Watch
“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy”- Jane Kristen Marczewski. Many of you have seen her on America's Got Talen where she sang ‘It’s Okay’. She had cancer, but lived her life to the fullest and gave motivation to many people
We all celebrated Independence Day this week. We all were happy that India is independent, but many of us don’t know the history of how people suffered, what was the situation just after the partition, etc. Here the story
We all have seen Mr Beast's videos, but do you know how he started making videos, do you know how he hires people, how his mom helped him start his channel and his history and present, see this podcast to know about him
In this together,
Pranav ✌️
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