We’ve all had those moments when inspiration hits and we feel compelled to act, but we don’t. It’s the moment when you see someone you find incredibly attractive and you know you should go talk to them, but you don’t. Maybe it’s that moment when you see your boss and think about asking for that raise you know you deserve, but you hesitate and allow the opportunity to slip by.

Perhaps it’s the times we need to stand up to that person who is belittling or bullying us, but we are too afraid to act. Maybe you’ve experienced that hesitation to act when you needed to address your significant other about their behavior. Those opportunities and experiences we allow to slip by are moments we know we should do something but don’t.

Why do we do this? Why do we fail to act? Usually the cause can be boiled down into one or more of the following: fear, self- doubt, insecurities, over-thinking, or anxiety. How do we stop this from happening? We can’t stop the fear or anxiety that we feel in that moment, but there is a way to prevent ourselves from failing to act:  THE THREE SECOND RULE.

Don’t be like Homer, twiddling your fingers, frozen in hesitation, and full of doubt. The Three Second Rule is simple and effective. When you have one of those moments you feel compelled to do something but you hesitate for whatever reason, then you count to three, and get in motion. Shut off your mind and act. Move towards the goal, say what you have to say, just don’t give yourself enough time to rationalize a reason not to act.

The reason why we allow fear and doubt to keep us from doing the things we know we should, is because we give ourselves time to think. We allow the mind to create problems. We think, “Well, what if she doesn’t like me”, or the classic, “What if they say, no?” The fear of rejection is powerful, and the more thought you put toward it, the more substantial it becomes.

Giving yourself time to think in moments where the Virtue of Courage is required allows time for doubt to creep into your thoughts and those doubts will convince you that you’re not good enough or that you’re undeserving. You will never know exactly what the outcome of your actions will be when you do what you know must be done. But you do know the outcome if you fail to act. You will never get what you want, and you only stand to gain more suffering and regret.

So, when that inspiration hits, count to three, and start moving.

The Three Second Rule is a tool that I utilize to live by the Virtue of Courage. Being courageous doesn’t mean you don’t feel fear, but that you act anyway. I’ve found the Three Second Rule incredibly helpful in times of doubt or fear, and that I always feel better acting on my conscience even if I fail when doing so. The Three Second Rule has helped me realize the failure was never as terrifying as I imagined it.

Now, i’m not saying to be foolish and use the Three Second Rule to make every important life decision. There are important decisions in your life that will require concentrated thought and planning, but there are also things that don’t. Learn to distinguish the two and use the Three Second Rule accordingly.

Before working out became a habit and something I looked forward to, I often used the Three Second Rule to get myself to exercise. Instead of allowing myself time to create excuses not to exercise, I counted to three and start putting on my gym clothes. If hesitation came back, then I counted to three and started walking to my car. Usually, as long as I could get myself dressed and driving, then I had won the battle and the resistance was completely gone once I had parked at the gym.

Use the Three Second Rule to go and talk to that person you find attractive. Use it to ask for that promotion that you know you deserve. Use the Three Second Rule especially to do those things you know you should but are scared to do. Don’t live in fear and allow your mind to prevent you from being the kind of person you want to be or to keep you from having the life you want.

Remember…. 1.. 2.. 3..  Move!

Like what you read? Subscribe to get the latest content!

Support the Eclectic Method and get cool stickers in return! Click the banner or the link below to shop on the Eclectic Method store at stickermule.com and get a $10 credit! Search @theeclecticmethod and browse for unique designs and artwork created by the author.

https://www.stickermule.com/theeclecticmethod