The 5 Year Rule That Changes Everything

You don’t need more time. You need fewer priorities.

June 25, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ever had a small frustration blow way out of proportion? The delayed train, the passive-aggressive email, the annoying queue jumper?

This week’s insight comes from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money, where he shares a simple yet powerful question:

“Will this matter in five years?”

Most of us live too close to our problems. We obsess over decisions and setbacks that, in the long run, won’t impact our happiness, career, or relationships at all.

The Insight: 🧩 The 5-Year Filter

Instead of reacting emotionally or overanalysing everything, use the Five-Year Rule as a mental filter:

  • Got rejected? You’ll forget it in five months, let alone five years.

  • Stuck in traffic? Breathe. This isn’t your legacy.

  • Made a mistake at work? If you learn from it, it will matter — in a good way.

But the inverse is just as important:
Are you investing in things that will matter in five years?

  • Building relationships

  • Prioritising health

  • Developing skills

  • Spending time with people who matter

That’s where long-term returns live.

🔥 How to Apply It: 💡 Try This:

Next time you’re stressed or debating a big decision, ask:

“Will this matter in five years?”
If yes, lean in.
If no, let it go.

🏆 This Week’s Challenge

Write down three things that are likely to matter to you in five years — then do one small thing this week to move closer to each.