How To Overcome Any Fear In 5 Seconds

Image by Matt Sandrini

I have recently learned this amazing way to trick your brain and overcome fear in just five seconds that I had to share with you. Now a lot of you guys may not know but I'm a naturally shy person. I've been that way since I was a kid. I get anxiety and I'm nervous to go and introduce myself to people, especially sometimes to talk to a beautiful woman. I was scared to raise my hand in class. Basically just fearful of the things that I knew, that I should do ever since childhood and it still affects me to this day.

I wish I would've learned this trick back then because I would've been more courageous and more confident. I would've done more things, tried more things, and said more things that were on my heart.

When you get that feeling that you want to do something like: talk to someone you're interested in, raise your hand, ask a question or ask for a raise, the longer you wait after you get that initial feeling, the more likely it is that you won't do that thing that you really want to do. Why?

Because your mind starts to overthink, make excuses after excuses such as, "What if I look stupid? or what if I get rejected?"

But here's the trick, Once you know what you want to do, count down from 5: 5,4,3,2,1! and then go and do that thing that you wanna do. Like a rocket ship, countdown, and then blast off. Sounds like the silliest thing ever but it works.

It works based on the science of Metacognition and many studies have shown its effectiveness. It quiets the negativity bias that we have in us. 

Worry is the misuse of the imagination, it does nothing but drain us of all our will power.

But when you focus on the countdown, you interrupt the worry, the doubts, and then you can go and do what it is you want to do. That's it, you're just tricking your mind. This is such a great tool to help you take control of your life and start living more authentically. 

Use this for things like waking up in the morning, eating healthier, going to the gym, or whatever positive change that you want to make in your life. This will give you the courage to finally become the truest version of yourself.

But this five-second rule won't work if you actually don't want to change. People who try to countdown but then don't actually push themselves forward are afraid of change. Change is hard and if you're gonna change anything about your life, you're gonna have to face the unknown, step out of your comfort zone, try something new and risk rejection and judgment, which is scary. That's why most people never change. 

The moment that you decide that you're so ready to change, the five-second rule will work.

And no, I didn't invent this. This comes from the amazing Mel Robbins. She has a great book called The 5-Second Rule. I just finished it on audible. 

Hope this trick helps you in achieving everything that you want in your life!!