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How to destroy procrastination

How to destroy procrastination

The 5 - second rule

Chandan Karkera
March 16th, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

After reading this post, you’ll learn:

Why we procrastinate
What is the 5- second rule
How you can use tit in your personal & professional lives to destroy procrastination

Imagine this - tax filing deadline is coming up soon. You know you have to complete this task soon. Otherwise you have to pay a fine.

But, you're not able to sit down and get it done! Every time you gather the will - power, your mind tricks you. It says:

"Let's do this later. How about binge - watching that web series now? 😀 "

I'm sure these kind of scenarios sound familiar. We know what we should do, but we don't do it.

🤝 Eating healthy food.

🤝 Meditation.

🤝 Exercise.

Why?Because the default feels good.

🛑 Junk food.

🛑 Doom Scrolling.

🛑 Binge watching TV.

Procrastination is like a credit card: it's a lot of fun until you get the bill.

- Christopher Parker

But why do we procrastinate?

You're not lazy or lack willpower. We are human. So we will procrastinate. It's in our software. When faced with an unpleasant task, the brain activates the "fight or flight" response.

10,000 years ago when our ancestor came across a wild bear, they had to decide:

“Do I fight this thing? Or do I run?”

This released stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

They help your body get ready for this stressful / dangerous event.

We survived because of the fight or flight response. And the problem is, this same response is activated when we procrastinate.

Why? Because the task at hand SUCKS!

So, the "fight" system says - "we got this, let's do it"!

But , stress jams the prefrontal cortex. (It's part of our brain responsible for decision - making). And we end up procrastinating.

So what the heck is the 5 - second rule?

The next time you have to do something important (and procrastination is creeping in), do this.

Countdown - 5.........4..........3..........2..........1….. and launch into action.

This countdown disrupts your brain's natural tendency explained earlier. So, no chance to overthink and focus on comfort.

How to get started?

Hitting the snooze button? 5-4-3-2-1... GET OUT OF BED!

Dreading that workout? 5-4-3-2-1... PUT ON YOUR SHOES!

Feeling like scrolling through social media instead of starting your creative project? 5-4-3-2-1... OPEN YOUR LAPTOP!

That looming presentation stressing you out? 5-4-3-2-1... OPEN YOUR SLIDESHOW!

Facing a difficult conversation with a colleague? 5-4-3-2-1... SCHEDULE THE MEETING!

Feeling overwhelmed by emails? 5-4-3-2-1... RESPOND TO THE MOST URGENT ONE!

That’s it!

I hope this concept helps you become better at getting important projects done. A technique is effective only when you use it. So, experiment and let me know how this works!

If you found this helpful, share with someone who will benefit.