How would you shift from 4 to 5?
 

Method 1: up -> right -> up.
Method 2: push the shifter toward up-right direction in one single stroke.

What is the theoretically correct approach? Or, under what kind of situations, one approach is better than the other? Thanks.

You thinking too much, just do it.

stroke it neatly.

The same way I shift from 2 to 3.

There's a 5th gear?!

I just do method 2. I don't think about it, I just do it.

2-3 and 4-5 are completely different for me as well. I feel like I have to go high rpm and throw it in faster and harder than usual whereas 2-3 just kind of goes in. i kind of feel there's not enough time to go up right up with 4-5, the gearing seems "close"

Just push straight up with a slightly rightward slant. It's harder to describe than to do. You just DO it (that's what she said). Don't overthink it.

Then again, I've got mtec spring in. That makes it ridiculously easy to change gears in the lateral direction (2-3, 3-2, 4-5, 5-4, etc). I just think it, move the arm and hand, and bam it goes into the correct gate. Don't overthink it or overdo it, let the springs to their work and you just guide them.

This isn't like rev-matching, folks. It's not even like going from a dead stop. There's not really an art to it. You just shift.

2->3 is easy b/c the shifter has a natural tendency to go to the neutral position. So I simply push the shifter up w/ a very slight pause in between and the shift can be completed flawlessly. However, I need to fight this tendency when shift from 4->5. I know my question seems trivial to some, but to me, if there are two approaches, one has to be better than the other.

Your observation about the limited amount of time is legit. The RPM differs by about 30% 2->3, but only 20% 4->5. As the engine is losing the speed when you let off the gas and clutch in, 2->3 gives you more time than 4->5.

I do method 1. Then again, I'm a bit odd. I also rev match up shifts - which usually just requires probably timing of releasing the gas pedal and speed of shifting, but when the engine is cold the revs drop quickly between shifts and I end up doing a slight blip on the upshift. Again, I'm a bit odd. I'll shift 1-2 in two "clicks" - ie slight pause in between gears. I don't like just ripping it out of first and jamming it in second in one move. Even when I'm shifting fast I'll acknowledge the pause between gears.

I just do it, I mean I push up and I guess it goes to fifth. I don't even pay attention or even look at the shift knob. I just shift.

Now that I think of it I think I do Method 1