The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage

If you’re struggling with anxiety/panic attacks, I highly recommend this book. There is a section in the book dedicated to it and it’s been a lifesaver for me. I developed anxiety/panic attacks about six months ago, felt totally out of control of the situation, and was starting to get depressed over it.

I was aware of Mel Robbins but I didn't realize to put the 5 Second Rule together to combat anxiety until I came across a Youtube video of how she used the rule to get over her own struggles with anxiety. I cleared out a lot of the past issues that was holding me down, and I felt like I should be in a better place. However, I still felt anxious and the panic attacks were still happening (those brain patterns had set in) and it was starting to get worse.

Prior, I have tried everything from letting the 'feelings' of anxiousness go away on its own, went to therapy sessions, staying 'calm', and tried other 'tricks' and I never felt empowered in any of those situations and it was also temporary wins before the anxiety would grip my life again. Having anxiety as a constant state of mind was unacceptable to me, but I didn’t know how to break the cycle for good.

After I heard Mel speak about how she overcame her anxiety/panic attacks with this simple tool, I bought her book immediately. It's been about ten days since I started to implement the rule to combat anxiety and I will most likely update several months later down the road. I have to be honest, I was a bit skeptical about the 5 Second Rule being effective for anxiety. So far it's pulled me out of the last dark cloud I was experiencing in a relatively short time. Most importantly, I am in control and that makes me feel empowered. This was the answer I was looking for. A simple, easy to remember tool, that is highly effective not only with anxiety but in all areas of my life.

You are going to use the 5 Second Rule a lot, throughout the day. I repeated this about 30-50 times (maybe even more) for the first week. I probably use the rule about 20 times a day in my day to day life about 2 weeks into using the rule. I also used this rule in social settings with great success. I was able to be in the present moment and be engaged with the conversation I was having with people. I am very optimistic and hopeful, feelings I haven’t felt for the last six months.

UPDATE: I still use this rule but less so for my anxiety (anxiety and I like acquaintances than best buddies now). I've been using it more as a motivational tool to procrastinate less on tasks I don't 'feel' like doing. It still works great!

I made it a goal of mine to start reading a new book a month, just ten pages a day, again. I always wanted to read this book by Mel Robins after hearing her in a podcast on Impact Theory and how she was in a slump and climbed her way out of it. Very inspiring.

I really liked how practical this book was, yes there are some filler pages of testimonials and whatnot but the principle is clear. Your mind has about 5-second window before you start to over think things. This can include getting up in the morning, introducing yourself to others, speaking in a meeting etc. when you act within those 5 seconds you interrupt your brain from going into overthinking mode and you do what you always wanted to do. THIS IS SO POWERFUL.

I included in my review a screenshot of one of the pages that I found was really useful, which was what the impact of hitting the snooze button does to our brain from a scientific perspective. After applying the rocket ship launch method at wake, I can 100% attest to feeling less groggy and more in control of my day. 10/10 would recommend this book. It’s up there with Atomic Habits. 👌🏽

I am so torn. I love the #5SecondRule. Mel Robbins is a rock star. I love her TED Talk, and other interviews I've seen her on. The book is filled with solid, actionable information that I am putting into action in my own life with awesome success. Kudos Mel Robbins! For that I'd give it 5 stars, no doubt.

The constant stream of "social proof" via the social media posts broke the flow of the text, and constantly took me out of the experience. One at the end of each chapter to bring home how to integrate the information into the reader's life? Sure. But one almost every page, and sometimes twice? C'mon! The format was simply too long for the amount of actionable information given, and the social proof stuff felt like fillers to justify the length of the book. Another reviewer wrote that the actual information given could've easily fit into a blog post, and I think they're correct. For that I'd give it 3 stars.

For the love of humanity, somebody - preferably a PROFESSIONAL editor - please, please, PLEASE edit this freaking book! I have a rule that once I start a book, I finish it, but the editorial mistakes were so pervasive that it was almost unreadable. (And I'm not talking about the "UR" or other grammatical errors on the social media posts either!) It got so bad that it actually started to piss me off. So much so that I actually took note of the publisher, and will avoid books from them in the future because of the epic editorial fail. If Ms. Robbins paid for an editor, she got ripped off. I was so grateful to reach the last page because it meant I was through with the book, but I don't think any author wants people to close their book in relief to be done with it. For that, I'd give it -0 stars if that were possible, and demand that the publisher's slew of proofreaders/editors give her her money back. The publisher did her an enormous disservice. Shame on them!

I've actually given this book as a gift to several people I know who will get a lot of it, but it comes with the caveat that the editing is sub par, for sure.

What was said in 240 pages could have easily been said in 90. There is so much repetition and to have “testimonials” on almost every page was a bit excessive. This is my 8th book I’ve read since the 2/8/2024 and is by far the hardest because it doesn’t keep me engaged.

With every other book, I couldn’t wait to sit down to read. With this one, I got what I needed in the first 20 pages, but am finishing it because I purchased it and want to finish it. It has taken me a week to read 126 pages. I’m hoping to just bite the bullet and finish it by tomorrow so I can go on to the next book in queue.