Many of us procrastinate. We leave tasks we don’t want to do. And work on simpler tasks that we enjoy – or at least tolerate.
If this sounds like you, then read on.
The five-minute rule is a cognitive-behavioural technique that tricks the brain into starting something it has been trying to avoid. The rule is that you must commit just five minutes to the task, knowing that when the five minutes are up, you can stop, and move on to something else, if you want to.
The chances are that simply starting the task has allowed you to overcome the biggest hurdle to completion and, in many cases, you will be able to complete the rest of your task more easily – and straight away.
However, for the five-minute rule to work, you must give those first five minutes your undivided, total attention.
Try it! What have you got to lose?