Use the "5 More Rule" when you're stuck

 It's easy to be overwhelmed when you're in charge. The buck stops with you. Everyone wants to ask you what to do. You have a report that's due at work and your spouse and children all want your attention. Instead of giving up, just tell yourself this: "Just 5 more."

Maybe it's 5 more minutes. Maybe it's 5 more pages of the chapter you have to read before tomorrow's test. Maybe it's 5 more emails before you shut down for the evening. Whatever it is - 5 more of it doesn't sound impossible. 1 or 2 more? Too easy. 10 more? Too depressing. 5 more seems to hit the sweet spot. It pushes you just a l-i-t-t-l-e bit beyond your point of frustration and helps you build mental concentration.

So, this week, when you want to stop exercising, try 5 more minutes. If you get depressed by the thought of cleaning out the refrigerator, clean out just 5 more items. Once you get going, you'll probably find your second "wind" and keep going but - shhhhh - don't tell yourself that, it's just our little secret!

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