Stop Spinning Your Wheels. Do This Instead

In 2019, a young entrepreneur named David was running on fumes. His days were filled with meetings, email overload, and a constant flood of decisions. He found himself stressed, wasting precious energy worrying about things that wouldn’t matter next week, let alone next year. Then he came across the 5x5 Rule—a simple but powerful principle that changed everything.

The 5x5 Rule states: If it won’t matter in 5 years, don’t spend more than 5 minutes worrying about it. This single mindset shift freed David from the endless mental clutter and helped him focus on what really mattered in both life and business.

Applying the 5x5 Rule to Personal Growth

Most men are juggling a lot—careers, families, personal goals, and more. The challenge is that the brain is wired to obsess over every little problem, magnifying its importance. But most of these issues won’t matter in the long run. By applying the 5x5 Rule, you can break free from the cycle of overthinking and shift your focus to what truly moves the needle.

1. Eliminate Daily Stressors

Take stock of the small, daily stressors that constantly nag at you—an annoying coworker, a temporary financial hurdle, or a forgotten text message. Will these issues matter in five years? If not, give yourself 5 minutes to deal with them and then move on.

• Example: You receive a rude email. Instead of stewing over it for hours, apply the 5x5 Rule. Will this email affect your life in 5 years? Unlikely. Let it go after addressing it briefly or, if necessary, responding calmly.

2. Focus on Long-Term Goals

The 5x5 Rule allows you to zoom out and focus on the bigger picture. Many of the daily frustrations we get caught up in distract us from long-term goals—building a career, raising a family, or improving our health.

• Example: You’re working on a business idea, but a minor setback derails your confidence. Will this bump in the road matter in 5 years? Probably not. What matters is whether you stay committed to your long-term vision. The rule helps you regain focus after small distractions.

Applying the 5x5 Rule to Business Growth

In business, it’s easy to get lost in the details—chasing immediate results, obsessing over minor errors, or worrying about potential failures. But most successful entrepreneurs know that sustained success comes from focusing on the long-term, not sweating every small detail.

1. Decision-Making and Risk Management

Business is about making tough decisions, but not all decisions carry the same weight. The 5x5 Rule teaches you to categorize decisions based on their long-term impact. If a decision isn’t likely to affect your business five years from now, don’t waste more than five minutes deliberating.

• Example: You’re faced with a small operational hiccup that won’t affect long-term profits or relationships. Instead of spending hours worrying about it, recognize it as a minor issue and move on to more impactful projects.

2. Building Resilience

Every business has setbacks—failed launches, lost clients, bad hires. The key to thriving in the long term is resilience, and the 5x5 Rule is your guide to resilience. When setbacks happen, ask yourself: Will this matter in 5 years? If not, don’t waste your energy obsessing over it.

• Example: You lose a client contract. Will it matter in five years if you continue to improve and grow? Probably not. Shift your focus from the setback to how you can win your next client or improve your offerings.

Call to Action: Live Fully, Focus on What Matters

The 5x5 Rule is a tool, but it’s more than that—it’s a mindset. It helps you realize that not everything demands your attention or your emotional energy. Most of the things you worry about today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Apply the 5x5 Rule today: the next time you feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, stop and ask yourself—will this matter in 5 years? If not, don’t spend more than 5 minutes worrying about it. Instead, channel your energy into the things that truly matter, like building meaningful relationships, growing your business, or pursuing your long-term passions.

Because in the end, life isn’t about avoiding stress—it’s about focusing on the things that last.

Cheers,

Matt

P.S. If this was helpful for you, it might be helpful for someone else. Feel free to share it. My goal is to help as many people as possible stop settling and start living. 🤙