Sometimes when I'm working on a new project or goal, I feel overwhelmed and anxious.
If it's new and feels intimidating, it's so easy to procrastinate and push it to tomorrow.
When that happens,
I use the 5-Minute Rule:
Commit to working on a task for 5 minutes.
That’s it - just 5 minutes.
Not an hour. Not the entire project. Just 5 minutes of effort.
Once you start, one of two things will happen:
1. You’ll build momentum and keep going. Getting started is the hardest part, and once you begin, it’s easier to continue.
2. You stop after 5 minutes, and that’s okay. Because at least you made some progress (which is better than nothing!)
Why Does It Work?
Procrastination often comes from feeling overwhelmed or fearing failure.
The 5-Minute Rule helps because:
-It makes starting easier – 5 minutes feels manageable, so your brain is less likely to resist.
-It reduces anxiety – when tasks feel huge, they create stress. Breaking them into tiny chunks makes them feel doable.
You can use this for anything:
-If you're stressed about a big project, tell yourself you’ll work on it for just 5 minutes.
-If you don't feel like studying, just commit to 5 minutes, and you’ll likely study for longer.
-If you have a big goal that feels overwhelming, you can break it into tiny 5-minute steps to make progress feel easier.
I use the 5-minute rule every day, and I hope it helps you too.
I can’t wait to hear what you think!