How can I tell if I should quit my job and become an entrepreneur?

Mel Robbins suggests you might be ready for a change if you feel tension or dread when driving to work or logging into Zoom. The key is to identify what you are passionate enough about to work on for ten years to build something for yourself, and to responsibly use your free time for 'experiments' before quitting.

What is the 'Hot 15' morning routine?

The 'Hot 15' is Mel Robbins' strategy of dedicating the first 15 minutes of your day to yourself and your top priority before checking your phone or engaging with external demands. This time is used for intentional thinking about the 'one thing' that would make it a good day, allowing you to proactively progress on meaningful tasks.

How can I improve my sleep and stop ruminating at night?

Mel Robbins recommends keeping a piece of paper next to your bed and writing down every to-do item you didn't get to. This practice helps to 'close open loops' in your brain, reducing rumination and allowing you to fall asleep faster, reportedly as effectively as a sleeping pill.

How does Mel Robbins recommend dealing with jealousy?

Mel Robbins views jealousy as a 'gift': it's blocked desire for something you want, signaling what is truly meant for you. Instead of resenting others, she suggests asking yourself what specifically you desire about the other person's success or possession, and then working to create something similar for yourself.

Why is owning intellectual property important for creators?

Mel Robbins emphasizes owning your content, especially audio rights for books. She explains that publishers often offer advances that are 'loans for your ego with shitty math,' paying pennies on the dollar. Owning audio rights, for instance, provides a perpetual, cost-free revenue stream from a single digital file.

What is the 'impact email' strategy Mel Robbins uses in her business?

Mel Robbins' company, 143 Studios, sends a daily 'impact email' to all employees and partners. This email rounds up screenshots of positive feedback, reviews, and messages from individuals describing the impact a piece of content had on their life, keeping the core mission and value front and center.

How did Mel Robbins prepare for her live tour?

Mel Robbins initially underestimated the complexity of her live tour, which was designed more like a theatrical show than a speech. She worked with a team that produced tours for artists like Kendrick Lamar and the Super Bowl, involving animation decks, sets, and memorized lines, a significant challenge for someone used to unscripted speaking.

What is Mel Robbins' perspective on embracing vulnerability and 'cringe'?

Mel Robbins believes it's harder to lie and carry burdens silently than to be vulnerable. She advocates for embracing 'cringey' feelings when trying new things, as this discomfort is a natural indicator that you are stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something correctly for the first time.

Key Moments

#1 Career Coach: Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life | Mel Robbins

Codie Sanchez

People & Blogs3 min read106 min video

Nov 12, 2025|351,796 views|7,421|310

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Mel Robbins discusses overcoming self-doubt, building resilience, and embracing opportunities.

Key Insights

Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success and learn from mistakes.

The 'Hot 15' strategy: dedicate the first 15 minutes of your day to focus on your goals.

Action, not just planning, is crucial; start late, start scared, just start.

Jealousy signifies desire; use it as a signal to pursue what you want.

Integrate small moments of joy and self-care to combat stress and live more fully.

Prioritize impact and serving others as key drivers for business and personal growth.

FROM FAILURE TO FOUNDATION

Mel Robbins recounts personal and professional failures, including significant debt from business ventures. She emphasizes that failure is not an endpoint but a necessary part of the entrepreneurial journey. By embracing these setbacks, one gains invaluable lessons that a purely successful path might not offer. This perspective shift allows for learning and growth, turning what seem like insurmountable obstacles into the foundation for future success and resilience.

THE POWER OF 'THE HOT 15'

A core strategy shared by Robbins is 'The Hot 15,' dedicating the first 15 minutes of the day to focused action on personal goals. She advocates for protecting this time from distractions, even if one isn't a morning person. This practice, built over time, has been instrumental in her own success. It's about reclaiming the start of the day to proactively work on what matters, rather than being immediately reactive to external demands.

ACTION OVER ANXIETY

Hesitation and fear are significant barriers to progress. Robbins stresses the importance of starting, even when scared, late, or feeling unqualified. The paralysis of overthinking and waiting for the 'perfect' moment is addressed by encouraging immediate, small actions. This concept is embodied in the '5-second rule' and the idea that consistent, imperfect action builds momentum and leads to significant progress over time.

LEVERAGING EMOTIONS AS SIGNALS

Robbins reframes negative emotions like jealousy not as weaknesses but as powerful signals of untapped desires. She explains that jealousy arises from wanting something that you believe is currently out of reach. By understanding this, individuals can use jealousy as a compass to identify their true aspirations. This insight empowers them to acknowledge their desires and begin taking steps towards achieving them, rather than succumbing to envy.

INTEGRATING JOY AND SELF-CARE

Amidst the pressures of business and life, Robbins highlights the critical role of small moments of joy and intentional self-care. These aren't luxuries but necessities for maintaining well-being and mental clarity, especially for those experiencing high-functioning depression. Simple acts, like taking a mindful lunch break, engaging in a hobby, or putting the phone away before bed, can significantly counteract stress and foster a sense of control.

THE STRATEGY OF 'OPEN LOOPS'

To combat racing thoughts and improve sleep, Robbins suggests a technique of writing down unfinished tasks. This practice, often called 'closing open loops,' frees the mind from the burden of remembering everything. By externalizing to-do lists, the brain can relax, reduce rumination, and fall asleep faster. This simple, research-backed method helps manage mental clutter and recover cognitive energy.

OWNERSHIP AND LASTING IMPACT

Robbins emphasizes the importance of long-term vision and ownership, particularly in business and content creation. She advocates for retaining ownership of intellectual property and understanding that true success is driven by impact, not just financial gain or fame. Focusing on the value delivered to the audience and building genuine connections fosters sustainable growth and a sense of purpose.

THE TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF SHOWS

Reflecting on her live tour, Robbins shares how stepping far outside her comfort zone to create a performance, rather than just a speech, was transformative. While initially daunting and filled with mistakes, the process of creating a fully produced show with sets and animation led to immense personal growth, deeper connections with her audience, and unforgettable experiences with her family. This highlights the rewards of embracing creative risks.

DATA THAT MATTERS: IMPACT

In business and life, discerning the meaningful data from the noise is crucial. Robbins shares her 'impact email' strategy, where employees receive daily summaries of how their work has positively affected individuals. This practice keeps the core mission—serving others—at the forefront of everyone's minds, reinforcing the 'why' behind their efforts and fostering a culture centered on making a real difference.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●People Referenced

Mel Robbins' Hacks for Taking Action & Finding Joy

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Dedicate the first 15 minutes of your day ('Hot 15') to prioritize what matters to you before checking your phone.

Act on one priority item in your 'Hot 15' — even a small step, like sending a text.

Place your phone in another room or the bathroom overnight to prevent immediate morning distractions.

Make your bed every morning to create a sense of accomplishment and order.

Look in the mirror and high-five yourself daily to build self-belief (a 'Narobics' technique).

Keep a 'happiness list' to consciously track and remember small moments of joy.

Conduct 'experiments' by trying out a potential new career (e.g., part-time job) before making a full leap.

Write down all unfinished to-do items by your bed at night to 'close brain tabs' and improve sleep.

Schedule small moments of joy and reintroduce hobbies, especially if you feel overwhelmed.

Ask for help when struggling, professionally or personally, rather than carrying burdens alone.

Avoid This

Don't endlessly complain about your job; instead, use weekends to plan your next move.

Don't allow external emergencies to define your priorities before you've focused on your own.

Don't dismiss 'cringey' feelings when trying new things; it's a sign you're doing it right.

Don't confuse jealousy with an inability to achieve; view it as a signal of blocked desire and what you truly want.

Don't hold onto struggles and suffering silently; sharing helps you move on.

Don't take deals in business that you will resent in success, unless absolutely necessary for survival.

Common Questions

Mel Robbins and her husband faced bankruptcy after failed restaurant businesses. She overcame it by shifting from anger and fear to self-responsibility, admitting she didn't believe her husband could fix it, and taking on multiple jobs to pay bills. This difficult period fueled her ambition to build her successful career.

Topics

Jealousy Content Ownership

Mentioned in this video

company143 Studios

Mel Robbins' company, where the 'impact email' strategy originated to keep employees focused on the positive impact of their work.

personStephen Bartlett

A fellow podcaster and friend of Mel Robbins, mentioned when she discussed her initial fears and jealousy about starting her own podcast.

personJudith Joseph

A principal investigator, PhD medical doctor, and professor at NYU who runs the Manhattan Behavioral Institute, known for research on high-functioning depression and getting the first postpartum drug passed through the FDA.

organizationManhattan Behavioral Institute

A medical lab research facility run by Dr. Judith Joseph, responsible for clinical research studies including on high-functioning depression.