You are just 5 seconds away from a totally different life.

In 5s, you can decide to:

• Approach that cute girl/guy
• Pitch a prospective client
• Ask for that raise you deserve

Today, you'll get a powerful mind hack to overcome fear and seize those life-changing moments.

The 5 Second Rule is a best-selling book by Mel Robbins.

(And, no, she's not talking about eating food off the floor!)

Instead, she shares a research-based technique to eliminate overthinking.

SUPERHUMAN SCORING

In every edition of All Systems Go, I assess the featured system across four superhuman dimensions: impact, setup, maintenance, and aesthetics.

Unlike your typical product review, I focus on factors that influence personal growth. Get to know the evaluation system.

Impact (9.5/10)

Remember that moment as kids? Counting down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…before jumping into a pool?

Worked like a charm.

Turns out, you can apply that same strategy to BE BOLD in any life area.

Whether to eliminate procrastination (like getting out of bed),

Or to step on the stage for a career-changing keynote,

The 5 Second Rule will get you where you need to be.

Setup (9.5/10)

“The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will stop you.”

—Mel Robbins

The 5s Rule improves your ‘locus of control.'

It helps you flip the switch from uncontrolled anxiety to excitement.

According to neuroscientists, 95% of our decisions are based on feelings.

The problem with that:

You must first change your behavior to change how you feel.

In the words of Aristotle, “Do good, feel good.”

Exactly what the 5 Second Rule will help you DO.

You can learn directly from Mel Robbins about the 5 Second Rule in this TED Talk.

Maintenance (7.0/10)

The most challenging aspect of the 5 Second Rule?

Remembering to count down when you see an opportunity (yet sense fear creeping in).

The key is to make it a habit.

Start by practicing the 5 Second Rule in low stake scenarios (like getting out of bed in the morning or finishing your regular shower with 1 minute of cold water).

Aesthetics (9.5/10)

The category “aesthetics” typically only applies to physical products and apps.

There is none of either this week. Sometimes the best systems are free—no gadgets required.

BRINGING IT HOME

Overthinking = underacting

Most of us go through life—overthinking—like this:

“You stalk the edge of the pool, bothering people with questions about how cold the water is, how deep it is, what it's like to get all wet like that…anything to avoid actually jumping in.”

—John Carlton

The kicker:

Once we're immersed in sun-shimmered water,

Enjoying the FREEDOM of weightlessness,

We wish we had jumped in sooner.

It's as simple as 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…

All systems go,

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Resources

• Newsletter Archive: Read past issues of System Sunday
• [Quick Win] Phone Charger Challenge: Save 60 hours every year with this simple morning hack