The Rule of the Opposites: A Motivation Hack that Works

"Five... Four... Three... Two... One!

FIVE... FOUR... THREE... TWO... ONE!

Why isn’t this working for me?!"

Have you ever heard of Mel Robbins' 5 Second Rule?

I remember it vividly—2017, I came across her book and read raving reviews from it's readers.

For context, Mel Robbins came up with "The Five Second Rule" during one of the darkest periods of her life. She found herself trapped in a negative cycle of bed-rotting, hitting the snooze button on her alarm clock day after day, avoiding the entrepreneurial and life responsibilities that seemed to be looming over her.

The method is essentially counting down from five to one, and then doing the thing you're avoiding.

For context about me, my struggle has never been about "doing."

I’ve always been the busy type, constantly in motion - physically, but mostly mentally.

My biggest battle was with doing the right things. You know what I mean right? Being incredibly productive but often sabotaging yourself by focusing on the wrong activities.

So there I was, counting down repeatedly, yet I couldn’t muster the will to workout, step outside for a walk, or even take the steps in my business like creating content, my courses, and putting myself out there.

This immense frustration was like a dark cloud which I couldn't seem to avoid, but also couldn't confront.

Then one day, I stumbled upon the concept of taking slow deep breaths and then "doing the opposite." This simple, yet profound hack has been a game changer when I find myself in those moments of stuckness.

Instead of the dramatic countdown, which had started to feel like a pressure cooker for me, I began to consider what my opposite action could be at any given moment.

I’d think, "I’m going to skip the gym..." I'd then pair with a deep breath and think "Well, let me do the opposite" and lace up my sneakers and head out for a walk.

Or, I'd find myself mindlessly scrolling through social media... I'd take a deep mindful breath and then think "I'll write for 15 minutes instead."

Or, realizing that I was avoiding having an honest conversation with my business partner... Deep breath in and out and then I'd come up with, "Let me text her and ask to chat."

In moments when I found myself engaged in counterproductive activities, I’d pause to breathe and then ask, "What’s the opposite of this?"

It sounds so bizarre, but it was as if a door to new possibilities swung open, leading me towards what I had been avoiding, but a more gentler version.

It reminded me of moving through the Abraham Hicks Emotional Scale or the David Hawkins Map of Consciousness, but for productivity.

This mindful approach which connects both my mind and body has filled me with a sense of possibility and, most importantly, stripped away the pressure and shame that often accompanies the act of doing - or not doing.

I also notice if I'm chasing the illusion of a perfect outcome. I've realized that the awful all-or-nothing thinking doesn't serve me.

This perspective of choosing the opposite has become my compass, guiding me towards more fulfilling and productive actions.

What about you, what's your favorite way to inspire motivation within you?