GROWTHENTICITY
Stuck on a big task? Use this incredibly simple psychological trick to overcome inertia and begin your most important work.
Overcome procrastination quickly with the simple 5-Minute Rule trick. Get started on daunting tasks and build momentum easily.
You know that giant task looming over you? Does it feel like a massive, grey beast pressing down on your shoulders?
Maybe it’s writing that big report, cleaning out the garage, starting a new workout routine, or tackling a complicated project at work.
You know you need to do it. You want to have it done. Are you ready to begin? Ugh. It feels impossible.
Facing down procrastination isn’t just about getting things done; it’s often about confronting internal resistance, fear, and perfectionism.
The ability to move past that ‘stuck’ feeling and take action is a key part of continuous personal growth and becoming more authentically effective — a core principle of what I call ‘Growthenticity.’
I am the king of finding other things to do when faced with a task like that.
Suddenly, organising my sock drawer seems incredibly important. Or researching the migratory patterns of arctic terns. Anything but that thing.
My brain throws up a giant “Nope!” sign. It’s classic procrastination paralysis. This syndrome used to drive me nuts, leaving me feeling guilty, stressed, and even further behind.
Such behaviour—finding ways to overcome procrastination—felt like another chore I’d put off.
Then I stumbled upon a ridiculously simple trick. Almost too simple.
It’s called the 5-Minute Rule. And let me tell you, this little mind game has been a lifesaver for getting me moving on those tasks that feel like wading through peanut butter.
If you’re looking for stop procrastinating tips that actually work without requiring superhuman willpower, this might be your new best friend.
Key Takeaways
- The Rule: Just commit to working on the dreaded task for only 5 minutes. That’s it.
- The Magic: It tricks your brain by lowering the barrier to entry. Starting is the hardest part.
- The Reality: Often, once you start, you keep going much longer than 5 minutes. Momentum!
- The Backup: Even if you stop after 5 minutes, hey, you still made 5 minutes of progress!
That Feeling of “Ugh, Not Now…”
Why do we put things off, especially the important stuff?
For me, it often boils down to feeling overwhelmed. The task seems too big, too complicated. Where do I even begin?
My brain just short-circuits.
It’s like looking at a massive mountain and feeling worn out before even taking the first step.
Sometimes it’s perfectionism whispering nasty things in my ear.
“You need to do this perfectly, and you might not be able to, so maybe just… don’t start yet.”
Fear of failure can be a powerful glue keeping you stuck to your chair (or endlessly scrolling your phone).
And sometimes? It’s just plain old resistance.
The task feels boring, unpleasant, or difficult.
My inner toddler stomps its feet and says, “I don’t wanna!”
Finding effective task initiation strategies felt like searching for a unicorn.
Whatever the reason, the result is the same: the task doesn’t get done, hangs over my head like a gloomy raincloud, and makes me feel progressively worse.
Enter: The Super Simple 5-Minute Rule
Okay, here’s the rule in all its glory:
When you’re procrastinating on a task, tell yourself you only have to work on it for 5 minutes.
Set a timer if you need to. Commit to just that tiny chunk of time.
After 5 minutes, you are completely free to stop. No guilt. No obligation to continue.
Sounds silly, right?
How can 5 minutes possibly make a difference on a huge project?
That’s the beauty of this psychological trick.
It’s not really about the 5 minutes of work. It’s about breaking through the initial resistance — that massive wall of “Ugh!” that stops you from starting.
Think about it. Starting feels hard because the whole task seems daunting.
But can you handle doing anything for just 5 minutes? Probably.
- Brushing your teeth takes a couple of minutes.
- Waiting for the kettle to boil takes a few minutes.
Five minutes is nothing.
- It feels manageable.
- It lowers the stakes.
- It bypasses your brain’s panic button.
This is one of the simplest productivity hacks I know.
How I Used It (and Still Do!)
Let me give you some real examples from my life:
Writing Articles (Like This One!): Sometimes staring at a blank page feels like facing a firing squad. My brain goes blank.
Using the 5-minute rule, I tell myself,
“Just write anything for 5 minutes.”
Maybe it’s just brainstorming keywords. Maybe it’s writing a terrible opening sentence I know I’ll delete. Doesn’t matter.
Nine times out of ten, after those first few minutes of clunky typing, ideas start flowing, and I look up 30 minutes later, deep in the zone. The 5-minute rule productivity boost is real.
Cleaning the Kitchen: Ugh. Dishes piled up, counters sticky… the whole room screams “Avoid me!”
I tell myself,
“Okay, just 5 minutes of cleaning.”
I set a timer. Maybe I just unload the dishwasher. Maybe I just wipe down one counter.
Often, once I start moving, I see the next small thing I can do, and suddenly 15–20 minutes have passed, and the kitchen looks way better. Starting was the hurdle.
Exercise: Getting motivated to work out can be tough.
“Just put on your workout clothes and do 5 minutes of stretching,”
I’ll bargain with myself.
Once the clothes are on and I’m moving, doing the full workout suddenly seems much less daunting.
That Scary Work Project: I had this complex analysis I needed to do. Spreadsheets, data, reports… my brain hurt just thinking about it.
I used the 5-minute rule.
“Just open the main spreadsheet and look at it for 5 minutes.”
That’s all. I opened it. I started scrolling through the columns. After a few minutes, I noticed something interesting and made a quick note… and an hour later, I’d made significant progress.
Getting over that initial “Open the scary file” hump was key. It helped me beat resistance.
The funny thing is, the goal isn’t necessarily to only work for 5 minutes. The goal is to start. And momentum is a powerful thing.
An object at rest stays at rest, right? But an object in motion tends to stay in motion.
Getting yourself moving, even just a tiny bit, makes continuing so much easier.
Why This Little Trick Works Wonders
There’s some cool brain science stuff behind this, even though it feels simple.
- Lowering Activation Energy: Think of starting a task like pushing a big rock. It takes a lot of effort (activation energy) to get it rolling. The 5-Minute Rule makes the rock seem tiny, lowering the energy needed to give it that first nudge.
- Tricking the Brain: Your brain’s resistance is often tied to the perceived size or difficulty of the whole task. Focusing on just 5 minutes short-circuits that overwhelm response.
- Building Momentum: As mentioned, once you start, it’s easier to keep going. You get into the flow. You might even start to enjoy it (maybe!).
- Small Wins = Motivation: Even if you do stop after 5 minutes, you achieved your mini-goal! You did 5 minutes of work. That little success can make it easier to try another 5 minutes later. It chips away at the task and the guilt. This is key to stop procrastinating tips.
Making the 5-Minute Rule Stick
This rule is simple, but here are a few extra pointers:
- Use a Timer: Actually setting a timer makes the 5-minute commitment feel more real and less like a vague intention.
- Break It Down First (Optional): If a task feels really huge, quickly break it into tiny steps before applying the rule. Then commit to 5 minutes on just the very first tiny step (e.g., “Open the document,” “Find the right screwdriver,” “Write the email subject line”).
- What If You Still Want to Stop? If the timer goes off and you genuinely feel like stopping, then stop! Seriously. The deal was 5 minutes. Pat yourself on the back for doing it. You can always try another 5 minutes later. Don’t turn the rule into another source of pressure.
- Remove Distractions (for 5 mins): Give yourself the best chance by putting your phone on silent or closing distracting tabs for just those 5 minutes.
Wrapping Up
Procrastination happens to everyone. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unmotivated. Often, it just means the task feels too big, too scary, or too unpleasant to start.
The 5-Minute Rule is a wonderfully simple way to trick your brain, lower that initial barrier, and just begin.
It’s not magic. It won’t suddenly make you love doing your taxes. But it can reliably help you get moving when you feel stuck.
It turns that insurmountable mountain into a tiny little speed bump. And often, that first little push is all you need to get rolling.
So next time you’re staring down a task you dread, give it a try.
Just 5 minutes. What have you got to lose?
You might surprise yourself. Go on, overcome procrastination, one tiny step at a time.
Beyond the Trick: The Growthenticity Connection
The simple power of the 5-Minute Rule lies in its ability to help you take action, learn by doing, and move forward despite the “ugh” feeling or the fear of imperfection.
This practical technique is a perfect example of how we can embrace uncertainty (of the outcome) and imperfection (not needing to do it all at once) to fuel continuous growth and become more authentically ourselves — people who act in alignment with their goals.
💡This integrated process of growth and authenticity is what I call ‘Growthenticity’:
“The continuous, integrated process of becoming more oneself (authentic) through leading with questions, learning through action, and growing by embracing uncertainty and imperfection, all fuelled by curiosity.”
👉If you’re interested in exploring how principles like Growthenticity can help you overcome internal barriers, cultivate resilience, and live more fully in alignment with who you are becoming, I invite you to join me for deeper dives.
👉My paid Substack offering, through Lead, Learn, Grow, is where we explore these concepts, share tools, and support each other’s journeys of growth.
🌱Learn more about me and what I offer my free and paid Substack subscribers.🌱
Your Turn
What tasks do you tend to procrastinate on the most?
Have you ever tried the 5-Minute Rule or a similar trick? How did it work for you?
Share your thoughts or tips in the comments!
Thanks for reading…
If you enjoyed reading my story, please highlight any parts you think other readers would find interesting.
A couple of claps 👏 wouldn’t go amiss, either.
Don’t forget to leave your comments about what you thought of this story.
Consider following me here on Medium and subscribing to my stories.
nom@d learning 
Leave a comment