What is the commitment duration in the Five Minute Proof technique?

Answer

Exactly five minutes

The Five Minute Proof is a strategy designed to overcome the paralysis associated with initiating difficult tasks. The core mechanism involves setting a timer for precisely five minutes and engaging with the task—whether it is work, cleaning, or simply getting out of bed—for that exact duration. Crucially, the rule includes granting oneself complete permission to stop without any feeling of guilt immediately after the timer sounds, provided the genuine feeling of not wanting to continue persists. This technique works by dismantling the initial mental block, which is often the hardest part of any endeavor, because committing to only five minutes feels manageable even when exhausted. Often, having already overcome the barrier to starting, the individual chooses to continue simply due to the momentum gained.

What is the commitment duration in the Five Minute Proof technique?

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