here's one simple rule that can help you overcome procrastination it's called the 5-minute rule the problem is starting instead of tackling a huge task commit to working on it for just 5 minutes that's it once the time's up you can stop no pressure no commitment just 5 minutes sounds too simple right but here's the thing the hardest part of any task isn't actually doing it it's overcoming the mental friction that stops you from starting let me ask you a question which of these sounds more doable build a successful YouTube channel that pulls in hundreds of thousands of views per month or spend 5 minutes coming up with new video ideas for your channel which would be easier to get started and easier to complete i mean 5 minutes is so painless it's hard not to do even Instagram's founder Kevin Cystrom uses this rule he says "If you don't want to do something make a deal with yourself to do it for at least 5 minutes after 5 minutes you'll end up doing the whole thing so next time you're stuck try setting a timer for 5 minutes