Recently a fellow enthusiast asked about my thoughts on the 5-second rule taught by Mel Robbins. The concept is this: whenever you start to do something and your mind immediately begins to talk you out of it, you begin the countdown 5-4-3-2-1-GO! And you get up and do it.

In her book, The 5-Second Rule, Mel Robbins explains how her life had become a wreck. She had lost her job, her husband’s restaurant business was losing money, and she was suffering from depression. She would hit the snooze button so many times every morning that her kids were consistently late for school.

After watching a rocket launch countdown and blastoff she decided to apply that principle to her life. The next morning when the alarm went off and she thought about hitting the snooze she said to herself “5-4-3-2-1-and she blasted out of bed and into her day. It worked!

Mel Robbins began to use this concept in different areas of her life such as important conversations she needed to have but was afraid to initiate, taking career steps, her relationships, getting things done, parenting, etc. Every time her mind tried to talk her out of something because of fear or discomfort or simple procrastination she would say 5-4-3-2-1-GO! Then she would do it. Instead of allowing her mind to talk her out of something she would do her countdown and then blastoff into action.

This is similar to what I teach when I say “If you are going to make a change in your life, it must be done immediately and enthusiastically”. The more you sit around and think about it, the less likely you are to do it. This is part of the problem with “New Years’ Resolutions”. If something is worth doing, why wait until January 1st? Go ahead and do it now. By the time January 1st gets here you will have already talked yourself out of it.

The basic concept is…TAKE ACTION! Stop waiting around for just the right moment. The right moment is now!

Seldom do we feel motivated to take action. Sometimes, maybe, but not typically. Most of the time action does not follow motivation. It is the other way around, most of the time motivation follows action.

We take the action and then the motivation follows. So, do not wait to be motivated. Count 5-4-3-2-1-GO! Take the action!

Whatever you have been putting off because of fear, discomfort, or just simple procrastination go do it now. Do it immediately and enthusiastically! Count it down and blastoff into action!


Let’s get started today!  I offer FREE 45-55 minute “Replacing Limiting Beliefs” coaching session over the phone. These coaching sessions are done over the phone at a time that is convenient for you.  In this short call, we will work together to:

  • discover a path you want to take and
  • if I’m the best choice to help you navigate that path.

Schedule for your free session.  It may be the best step you’ve ever taken towards making your life something better than you ever dreamed.  Do it now!


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_MG_6842cropTommy Lanham uses speaking and coaching to bring the power of enthusiasm to those who are ready to inspire their fire! He’s on a mission to break the monotony of the mundane and mediocre by bringing as much enthusiasm to as many individuals as he possibly can.

He is a dynamic, award-winning speaker who has been training individuals and organizations to ignite their God-given potential for 25 years. With a unique blend of Ziglar motivation and ragamuffin faith, Tommy delivers powerful, life-changing messages filled with humor, hope, and enthusiasm. Tommy empowers, entertains and energizes audiences to achieve extraordinary results and live a life beyond what they ever dreamed possible.

Tommy is based in New York but travels around the world, dedicated to helping you make your next event the best you’ll ever experience. Your audience will laugh, learn and be inspired as he mixes enthusiasm and humor with motivational stories to deliver a high content message. You will look like a rock star for hiring Tommy Lanham!