Page 203 - The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage

annoyed when you don’t ask her about them), but she’s afraid of speaking up
because her face turns red. She isn’t lacking confidence in her ideas; she just needs a
little courage to push through her fear of being judged for having rosy cheeks.

I had an experience that illustrates the connection between confidence, courage,
and personality. It also will show you once again the authentic pride you feel when
you 5- 4- 3- 2- 1 to push yourself outside your comfort zone.

Recently, I had a chance to speak at Cisco Systems, the largest networking
technology and services company in the world. A few months later I was invited
back to give a similar talk, this time to a senior engineering group.

When I arrived for that second talk, a man came up to me as I was setting up
with the AV team. He was so excited to see me and greeted me with the warm
embrace of an old friend. Being from the Midwest, I love nothing more than a
good hug. He could hardly contain his excitement, and said that he “had something
so exciting to tell me about the Rule.”

He had seen me speak at Cisco Live several months back. During that speech,
as I often do, I gave the audience a homework assignment using the #5SecondRule:

Introduce yourself to three strangers today, using the 5 Second Rule.

Then, I explained how I wanted them to do this assignment:

Pay attention to your instincts and the moment that you feel “drawn” toward someone. That’s the “push moment.” Grab
it. Start counting 5- 4- 3- 2- 1 and start walking toward the person within five seconds before your mind talks you out of
it.

Next, I explained to the audience what they can expect when they try this
simple homework assignment. The moment that they see someone they’d like to
meet their minds will fill up with a million excuses for why they shouldn’t walk over
and introduce themselves: