The Five Second Rule: A Simple Tool for Local Government Professionals to Beat Hesitation

In the high-pressure, politically nuanced world of local government, hesitation can be the silent killer of progress. Whether you're drafting a Cabinet paper under tight deadlines, navigating a politically sensitive planning application, or leading a complex transformation programme, the ability to act decisively and with confidence is not just desirable it’s essential. Yet, many professionals find themselves caught in cycles of overthinking, second-guessing, or waiting for the “perfect” moment to act. That’s where the Five Second Rule comes in a deceptively simple technique that helps individuals move from intention to action before doubt takes hold.

What Is the Five Second Rule?

Popularised by American author and motivational speaker Mel Robbins, the Five Second Rule is a behavioural intervention designed to interrupt patterns of procrastination, hesitation, and self-doubt. The concept is straightforward but powerful:

“If you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within five seconds or your brain will kill it.”   Mel Robbins

The idea is that when you feel the impulse to do something whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, sending a difficult email, or starting a challenging task you count down from 5-4-3-2-1, and then take immediate action. This countdown acts as a mental trigger, shifting your brain from autopilot into a state of deliberate decision-making. It activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for executive functions such as planning, reasoning, and goal-oriented behaviour.

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In essence, the Five Second Rule helps you bypass the mental chatter that often leads to delay or avoidance. It’s a way of reclaiming control in moments where hesitation might otherwise derail progress. For professionals in local government where decisions often carry weight, visibility, and long-term consequences this tool can be transformative. It encourages a mindset of intentional action, helping individuals to overcome inertia and lead with clarity, even in uncertain or politically charged environments.

Why It Matters in Local Government

Local government professionals operate in environments that are often defined by complexity, scrutiny, and competing demands. From managing limited budgets and navigating political sensitivities to responding to community needs and delivering public services, the pressure to make sound decisions quickly is ever-present. Yet, despite the urgency, many professionals find themselves stuck in cycles of hesitation overthinking, delaying action, or waiting for more information or approval before moving forward.

This is where the Five Second Rule can offer real value. It’s not just a motivational gimmick it’s a practical tool for overcoming the inertia that can creep in during moments of uncertainty or discomfort. By prompting immediate action, it helps professionals bypass the mental resistance that often stalls progress.

Here are just a few ways the Five Second Rule can be applied in local government settings:

• Breaking through analysis paralysis when drafting reports, business cases, or policy recommendations. Instead of endlessly refining or second-guessing, the rule encourages you to take the next step whether that’s sending a draft, asking for feedback, or submitting a proposal.

• Speaking up in meetings, especially in hierarchical or politically charged environments. When you have a valuable insight or concern, counting down and voicing it can shift the conversation and demonstrate leadership.

• Initiating difficult conversations with colleagues, stakeholders, or elected members. These moments are often avoided due to fear of conflict or discomfort, but the Five Second Rule helps you act before those fears take hold.

• Starting strategic projects that feel overwhelming or politically risky. Whether it’s launching a new service model, proposing a restructure, or engaging with external partners, the rule helps you move from planning to action.

“The best time to act is often before you feel ready. The Five Second Rule gives you permission to move before doubt creeps in.” Local Government Leadership Coach

Examples of Successful Use

The Five Second Rule has been successfully applied across sectors, including public service leadership, coaching, and organisational development. One compelling example comes from writer Sophie Ellis, who committed to using the rule for 30 consecutive days. Her experience highlights how small moments of action can lead to significant outcomes:

“On day three, I used it to finally call a client I’d been avoiding. 5-4-3-2-1, dialled. The conversation I’d been dreading for two weeks took seven minutes and actually led to more work.”

She also used the rule to initiate creative projects, tackle procrastination, and engage in emotionally difficult conversations:

“The biggest shift happened on day 12. I was avoiding a difficult conversation with a longtime friend. I counted down, picked up my phone, and called her. It became the most honest discussion we’d had in years.”

These examples mirror the kinds of challenges faced daily in local government avoiding difficult conversations, delaying key decisions, or waiting for the “perfect” moment to act. The Five Second Rule offers a way to cut through the noise, silence the inner critic, and act with integrity and purpose.

Imagine a Head of Estates hesitating to challenge a developer’s proposal that doesn’t align with the council’s strategic objectives. Or a Director of Transformation unsure whether to raise a concern in a cross-agency meeting. In both cases, the Five Second Rule provides a simple but effective prompt to act decisively, fostering a culture of courage and accountability.

Building a Culture of Action

When adopted across teams, the Five Second Rule can do more than help individuals overcome hesitation it can help shape a workplace culture rooted in proactivity, courage, and momentum. In local government, where decision-making is often slowed by bureaucracy, risk aversion, or political caution, cultivating a culture of timely and thoughtful action can be transformative.

This isn’t about encouraging impulsivity or reckless decision-making. Rather, it’s about reclaiming agency in moments that matter those brief windows where a good idea, a necessary challenge, or a bold proposal might otherwise be lost to silence or delay. The Five Second Rule empowers professionals to trust their instincts, speak up, and take initiative, even when the environment feels uncertain or resistant to change.

“In local government, we often wait for the perfect moment. But progress rarely comes from perfection it comes from movement.” Matt Masters, Business Director

Examples of Culture Change

• Planning Department Transformation: A Head of Planning introduced the Five Second Rule during weekly stand-ups to encourage planners to speak up about concerns or ideas without waiting for formal channels. Within weeks, the team reported faster resolution of issues and more collaborative problem-solving.

• Children’s Services Innovation Lab: A Director used the rule to kickstart a pilot project that had been stuck in consultation for months. By encouraging her team to act on their instincts and test ideas quickly, the service saw a 20% improvement in early intervention outcomes.

• Digital Services Team: A Service Manager embedded the rule into sprint retrospectives, encouraging team members to raise blockers or suggest improvements immediately. This led to a noticeable increase in team velocity and morale.

Leadership Tips for Embedding the Rule

1. Model the behaviour: Use the rule yourself in meetings, decision-making, and communication. Share your experiences openly.

2. Celebrate action: Recognise and reward moments when team members act decisively, especially in challenging situations.

3. Create psychological safety: Make it clear that speaking up quickly is valued even if the idea isn’t perfect.

4. Link to values: Frame the rule as part of a broader commitment to responsiveness, integrity, and public service.

5. Use storytelling: Share examples of how quick action led to positive outcomes, both internally and externally.

   
   

Team Exercises to Build Momentum

• Five Second Challenge: In team meetings, ask each member to share one idea or concern using the rule count down and speak. Rotate weekly.

• Action Sprint: Dedicate 30 minutes to tackling tasks that have been delayed. Use the countdown to start each one.

• Reflection Circle: At the end of the week, reflect on moments where the rule was used. What changed? What was learned?

• Role Play Difficult Conversations: Practice initiating tough discussions using the rule. Debrief on emotional and practical outcomes.

Tips for Successful Implementation and Sustained Use

• Start small: Introduce the rule in one team or project before scaling.

• Make it visible: Use posters, digital reminders, or countdown timers in shared spaces.

• Integrate into workflows: Add “5-4-3-2-1” prompts into templates, agendas, or decision logs.

• Track impact: Measure changes in decision speed, meeting contributions, or project initiation rates.

• Keep it fresh: Revisit the rule quarterly with new examples, challenges, and reflections.

Try It Today

The next time you feel the urge to delay whether it’s making a difficult phone call, raising a concern in a meeting, or starting a report that’s been sitting on your desk pause, count down from five, and act. You don’t need to feel ready. You just need to move.

You might be surprised by how much progress you can make in just five seconds. And if you do it consistently, you’ll begin to build a habit of action that not only benefits your own productivity and confidence but also contributes to a more dynamic and responsive local government culture.