Most Life-Changing Book of 2017
There are lots of great books out there, but if you’re honest, how often do you read a book that you can truly say changed your life?? When that happens, it’s magical…. and it happened to me last April with The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins.
I discovered this book while listening to the Storybrand podcast (#37), where host Donald Miller was interviewing the author, Mel Robbins.
Just prior to that, I had been feeling really annoyed with my habit of hitting the snooze button a couple of times each morning, and how I would subsequently start every day already feeling behind. It sounds silly to hear myself say this now, but at the time I felt powerless to break this habit in a lasting way, and it was doing some serious damage to my self-esteem.
During this interview, Mel Robbins explained the premise of her book, and I instantly resonated with what she was saying. It made so much sense that I decided I’d try it the next day. Well, to my total surprise, IT WORKED!! And it worked again the next day, and the day after that. After a week of getting right up when my alarm went off, my husband asked, “Who are you and what have you done with my wife??!”
I had a long road trip coming up, so I decided to buy the audiobook version of The 5 Second Rule. I listened to the entire book on that trip, and was so blown away by my continued victory over the snooze button that I ordered a hardcover copy of the book as well.
So now, here it is eight months later, and I’m happy to say that I haven’t even once hit the snooze button in all that time. That’s a lot of mornings that got started on the right foot!
Of course, The 5 Second Rule is for much more than just conquering your snooze button…. that just happens to be my most notable experience with it. I’ve used it in countless other ways from making a phone call I was dreading to starting a project I felt overwhelmed by. Basically, you can use it for any situation that requires an action of some kind, that for whatever reason you may be inclined to procrastinate.
It’s such a simple idea, and I think that’s part of what makes it so effective. As a lifelong procrastinator, I look forward to implementing this technique in more and more ways. Maybe you don’t have an issue with hitting your snooze button, but I bet there’s some other area of your life that could be improved by The 5 Second Rule.
If you’re curious but not ready to buy the book, listen to the podcast (#37) and try it out for yourself. And be sure to follow Mel Robbins on Instagram where you will laugh, be encouraged, and find tons of inspiration. Ready? 5-4-3-2-1-DO IT!!
