WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.920 Today, we're going to be talking about the power of 5 seconds and how one simple rule 2 00:00:07.920 --> 00:00:10.720 can truly transform your leadership. 3 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:14.240 It's called the 5 second rule. 4 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:21.200 What if I told you that your life could be completely changed by a series of 5 second 5 00:00:21.200 --> 00:00:22.200 decisions? 6 00:00:22.200 --> 00:00:27.560 You know, from the time you have a great idea until your brain talks you out of it is about 7 00:00:27.560 --> 00:00:29.160 5 seconds. 8 00:00:29.160 --> 00:00:34.080 And all change requires one thing, it requires courage. 9 00:00:34.080 --> 00:00:39.960 What if you were able to drop excuses, overcome fear and become courageous? 10 00:00:39.960 --> 00:00:44.440 Even if that's not in your personality, you see yourself as an introvert. 11 00:00:44.440 --> 00:00:50.880 You know, the 5 second rule is a very powerful way to release courage, but more importantly 12 00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:54.620 to disrupt those patterns in your mind. 13 00:00:54.620 --> 00:00:59.140 In a previous session, we talked about the idea that there are certain thoughts in your 14 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:03.580 mind, like pathways in a forest for instance. 15 00:01:03.580 --> 00:01:09.220 And if we keep walking down that same pathway, it gets stronger and wider and more established. 16 00:01:09.220 --> 00:01:14.100 And what we need is a pattern interrupt, something that forces us to take a different pathway 17 00:01:14.100 --> 00:01:17.380 in our minds and create new pathways. 18 00:01:17.380 --> 00:01:19.860 This is what we refer to as change. 19 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:25.580 Now, what's fascinating is as fantastical as this sounds, science actually backs up 20 00:01:25.580 --> 00:01:27.780 this whole idea. 21 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:33.540 This concept is based on a book by Mel Robbins called The 5 Second Rule. 22 00:01:33.540 --> 00:01:37.140 You know, it started as a turning point in her own life. 23 00:01:37.140 --> 00:01:39.860 There was a moment of truth for her. 24 00:01:39.860 --> 00:01:46.820 Mel was herself a successful professional, at least on paper, but internally she was 25 00:01:46.820 --> 00:01:50.540 fighting a battle that many leaders face. 26 00:01:50.540 --> 00:01:57.660 The gap between potential and performance, despite her capabilities and her professionalism, 27 00:01:57.660 --> 00:02:03.460 she found herself sort of trapped in a cycle of procrastination and self-doubt. 28 00:02:03.460 --> 00:02:06.660 Perhaps you know what she's feeling like. 29 00:02:06.660 --> 00:02:08.660 You know, her mornings were chaotic. 30 00:02:08.660 --> 00:02:15.140 She had little kids that often missed school buses, forgotten lunches, and just that constant 31 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:20.340 sense of falling behind or just not being able to keep up. 32 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:23.340 Many of us know exactly what this struggle feels like. 33 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:28.700 You know, as leaders we're expected to be decisive, energetic and inspiring, and yet 34 00:02:28.700 --> 00:02:34.500 sometimes in our own personal lives we find ourselves paralyzed by the very decisions 35 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:37.720 that actually could move us forward. 36 00:02:37.720 --> 00:02:43.660 And so we need to have that same moment that Mel had, which we could call the rocket launch 37 00:02:43.660 --> 00:02:44.660 moment. 38 00:02:44.660 --> 00:02:49.980 She was watching television and during a routine commercial featuring rocket countdown 39 00:02:49.980 --> 00:02:57.020 she just heard 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, liftoff. 40 00:02:57.020 --> 00:03:04.180 This simple sequence sparked what would become a transformative leadership principle. 41 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:08.420 The next morning she put it into practice immediately. 42 00:03:08.420 --> 00:03:12.500 Instead of succumbing to the usual process of when the alarm went off to just keep hitting 43 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:20.500 the snooze button, this time she counted backwards 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and launched herself 44 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:21.500 out of bed. 45 00:03:21.500 --> 00:03:25.060 The next moment she was standing in her bathroom. 46 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:27.020 There was no time for second guessing. 47 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:29.420 There was no room for doubt. 48 00:03:29.420 --> 00:03:35.380 You know, what Mel had accidentally discovered is really backed by the science of decision 49 00:03:35.380 --> 00:03:36.380 making. 50 00:03:36.380 --> 00:03:39.740 So, what makes this approach so powerful? 51 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:43.300 The answer lies in our brain's architecture. 52 00:03:43.300 --> 00:03:50.340 The 5 second rule works by engaging our prefrontal cortex, that's the command center for focus 53 00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:52.780 and change and deliberate action. 54 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:56.560 When we count backwards, we create a pattern interrupt because the brain doesn't know what's 55 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:57.700 coming next. 56 00:03:57.700 --> 00:04:04.220 If I go 1, 2, 3, 4, your brain knows what comes after that, 5, 6, 7, 8. 57 00:04:04.220 --> 00:04:08.100 But when we count down to zero, the brain knows something's going to happen but it does 58 00:04:08.100 --> 00:04:09.100 not know what. 59 00:04:09.180 --> 00:04:15.460 And so what it does is it puts that old, those old behaviors, those old habits on hold to 60 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:18.620 find out from you what's going to happen. 61 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:21.540 And this is what gives you the advantage. 62 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:26.320 It's in this moment you take command of your own thinking. 63 00:04:26.320 --> 00:04:30.300 We call this metacognition, being aware of how we think. 64 00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:36.900 Now putting the science aside for a minute, the simple idea of counting backwards creates 65 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:43.020 a pattern interrupt that puts you in command because your brain now stops its usual process, 66 00:04:43.020 --> 00:04:47.660 it doesn't make assumptions about which pathway it's going to run down and it waits for you. 67 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:51.180 Isn't that an amazing discovery? 68 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:56.460 And this is particularly critical in leadership because often we know what decision we need 69 00:04:56.460 --> 00:04:59.260 to make but we avoid those decisions. 70 00:04:59.260 --> 00:04:59.900 We develop. 71 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:07.000 avoidance habits. But actually, we can rewrite all our leadership instincts. 72 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:14.000 Here are three quick examples of how one might apply the 5 second rule in a professional 73 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:16.080 context. 74 00:05:16.080 --> 00:05:20.320 So let's say you are facing a challenging situation. You notice that one of the team 75 00:05:20.320 --> 00:05:25.200 members who is normally a high performing team member, their work is declining. What's 76 00:05:25.200 --> 00:05:30.280 the traditional response here? Well, we'll just postpone the conversation and we hope 77 00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:33.480 it resolves itself. In other words, we avoid it. 78 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:38.280 What does the 5 second rule application look like? Well, the moment you think of, I should 79 00:05:38.280 --> 00:05:42.640 check in with them, there's the thought, you've got 5 seconds before your brain talks you 80 00:05:42.640 --> 00:05:47.600 out of it and you just start the countdown. You override your brain's ability to talk 81 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:54.600 you out and you say 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and immediately walk to their desk or immediately schedule 82 00:05:56.320 --> 00:05:57.840 that meeting. 83 00:05:57.840 --> 00:06:03.480 So the result would be by acting so quickly, you address the issue that normally escalates 84 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:08.240 and at the same time, you're demonstrating supportive leadership. 85 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:13.400 Let's give another example. Some of us have to do a lot of public speaking and the scenario 86 00:06:13.400 --> 00:06:20.400 is that during a meeting or you're in a brainstorming session and during the meeting there's that 87 00:06:20.440 --> 00:06:26.960 moment you have an important insight to share. Now what's the traditional response? You second 88 00:06:26.960 --> 00:06:32.240 guess yourself, that's the idea, 5 seconds later you've talked yourself out of that idea 89 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:38.760 because you're waiting for the perfect moment. And ultimately what do you end up doing? Staying 90 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:44.920 silent. We've all done this. Every one of us has experienced that moment. 91 00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:51.920 What would be the 5 second rule application? When that thought hits, count 5, 4, 3, 2, 92 00:06:52.520 --> 00:06:55.560 1 and raise your hand or speak up. 93 00:06:55.560 --> 00:07:00.960 The result is your contribution of valuable insights will build your reputation as an 94 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:07.960 engaged thoughtful participant. Can you see how 5 seconds is completely changing how you 95 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:14.040 present yourself to your team? How you're seen? You're representing yourself and your 96 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:17.800 ideas in a far more bold and clear way. 97 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:23.560 And this is what we foundationally refer to as leadership. Remember, leadership is intentionally 98 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:28.200 managing your influence. Leadership isn't about holding a position and people reporting 99 00:07:28.200 --> 00:07:33.820 to you, that's just a structural framework. What leadership is you managing your influence 100 00:07:33.940 --> 00:07:39.860 and this 5 second rule is a powerful way for you to manage that influence. 101 00:07:39.860 --> 00:07:44.740 Let me give you one more example. Let's say you have an innovation implementation. Here's 102 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:51.580 the scenario. You have an idea for improving the business process. What's the traditional 103 00:07:51.580 --> 00:07:58.580 response? You spend weeks perfecting the proposal waiting for the right time to present it. 104 00:07:59.300 --> 00:08:05.580 Well, what if you didn't do that? What if you took the 5 second rule approach? The moment 105 00:08:05.580 --> 00:08:12.260 your idea was validated and you know it's viable, you count 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and send an 106 00:08:12.260 --> 00:08:18.580 email to the stakeholders requesting a meeting to discuss it. I love that. What's the result? 107 00:08:18.580 --> 00:08:23.780 Your idea gets considered. While it's still relevant, sometimes waiting for the perfect 108 00:08:23.780 --> 00:08:30.100 time, we've actually missed the window of opportunity to participate in the solution. 109 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:36.740 So you then build a reputation of being proactive and solution oriented. That is an incredible 110 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:39.220 reputation that we all want. 111 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:44.440 So here's a couple of things I'd like us to think about. Firstly, Mel's story is every 112 00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:50.580 leader story. We all struggle with old patterns of thinking that are holding us back. In fact, 113 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:57.380 they're holding us captive. And why this works, the neuroscience behind it is absolutely amazing. 114 00:08:57.380 --> 00:09:03.860 While it's so extremely simple and you can apply it immediately, it's unbelievably powerful. 115 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:10.860 Its simplicity kind of disguises its neurological power. Because not only does it create a pattern 116 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:18.860 interrupt, it's literally changing your brain physiologically. Isn't that incredible? Because 117 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:24.220 you're interrupting your default thinking. When you start counting down, your brain doesn't 118 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:28.740 know which option and which pathway to take. So it puts everything on hold and waits for 119 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:35.740 you. And it puts you in command in that moment. This is right at the heartbeat, right at the 120 00:09:36.260 --> 00:09:42.300 center of all change. It distracts your mind from the old ways, really. And while it's 121 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:49.740 changing your physiology, it learns to follow your lead. Instead of your brain just automatically 122 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:55.660 going to autopilot and picking old habits, now it's learning a new way of working with 123 00:09:55.660 --> 00:09:59.860 you. Because now you're in control, especially if you're using the 5 second rule. 124 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:07.840 Rule multiple times a day. Perhaps in your personal life, maybe you're single and you 125 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:12.800 see somebody you want to initiate a conversation with. Instead of waiting 5 seconds for your brain 126 00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:19.840 to talk you out of that, go 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and walk across the room and introduce yourself. 127 00:10:20.560 --> 00:10:25.760 This rule can be applied everywhere. It is unbelievable. 128 00:10:25.760 --> 00:10:32.080 But let me do this. Let me end this with a direct quote from Mel herself. And she says, 129 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:39.520 It takes just 5 seconds to change your life. Sound like a gimmick? It isn't. 130 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:48.240 It's science. I'll prove it to you. You change your life one 5 second decision at a time. 131 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:55.280 In fact, it's the only way you change. The 5 second rule has transformed the lives 132 00:10:55.280 --> 00:11:00.960 of millions of people around the world. The rule is easy to learn and its impact is profound. 133 00:11:02.640 --> 00:11:08.320 It's the secret to changing anything. Once you learn the rule, you can start using it 134 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:15.200 immediately. The rule will help you live, love, work and speak with greater confidence 135 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:22.320 and give you courage every single day. It wakes up your inner genius, your leader, 136 00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:27.680 the rock star, the athlete, the artist, the change agent inside of you. 137 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:34.400 Well, I hope you found that as inspiring as I did because here's the bottom line. You can 138 00:11:34.400 --> 00:11:40.960 completely rewire your brain through action and the 5 second rule gives you the tool to do that. 139 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:48.160 It puts you in command of your thinking and your feelings. So, have fun taking charge 140 00:11:48.160 --> 00:11:54.880 and using the 5 second rule to rewire your brain and be in command of your own actions 141 00:11:54.880 --> 00:11:57.680 and of your own life. Enjoy.