Courage, in my mind, was reserved for the extraordinary—the pioneers, the revolutionaries, the ones who defied the odds. I admired Helen Keller. She overcame immense obstacles to champion the rights of others. I admired Sir Ernest Shackleton. He led his stranded crew to safety. I also admired Galileo. He challenged the status quo to push the boundaries of science.

But then, I discovered the #5SecondRule—and everything changed.

For the past seven years, I’ve used this simple tool and heard countless stories from people around the world. What I’ve realized is that courage isn’t just about history-making moments. It’s in the small, everyday battles we face.

Courage is getting out of bed on a difficult day. It’s speaking up in a meeting when your voice shakes. It’s making that uncomfortable phone call, facing your fears, stepping on the scale, or pushing yourself beyond self-doubt.

The #5SecondRule: A Push Toward Courage

You Make Decisions Based On How You Feel

Facing these moments and unlocking the opportunity, magic, and joy in your life requires tremendous courage. And courage is precisely what the #5SecondRule gives you.

The Rule gave Jose the courage to believe in his worth and ask for a raise. It was a turning point for Gabe, too. He realized, “I was responsible for everything that happened in my life.” Then, he used the Rule to take charge of his future. He launched his own Virtual Reality company—a decision that completely transformed his career.

Kristin’s life has been forever changed because her boyfriend now has a way to battle his drug addiction. Whenever he feels the temptation to go back to old habits, he counts backward. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. This action shifts his mindset. That simple action gives him the strength to fight his urges and take control of his choices.

For me, courage was what I needed just to get out of bed. It was terrifying because getting up meant facing my problems. It meant looking in the mirror. At 41 years old, I had to recognize that my life was not where I wanted it to be. My career also wasn’t where I wanted it to be. The weight of that reality felt overwhelming. Could I fix things? Would I ever get out of this rut? The fear was paralyzing—until I started using the #5SecondRule to take action instead of overthinking.

What If You’re Wrong?

I listened to Kendall talk about her fear that she wasn’t good enough, and then I asked her one simple question:

“What if you’re wrong?”

It’s a powerful question, and we don’t ask it nearly enough.

What if you’re wrong? What if you audition and you really are as good as everyone says? What if your idea actually is the next million-dollar business? What if you not only meet your quota this year, but you actually surpass it?

Our hesitation often comes from fear of failure, but what if the only thing holding us back is a false belief? What if success is closer than we think—if only we had the courage to take that first step?

You Validate Your Ideas By Pursuing Them

It’s heartbreaking to hear from so many of you with a creative idea. Many are waiting for someone else to confirm their product concept. Waiting for validation will be the death of your dreams.

If you have an idea for a show, a book, a business, or a product, take initiative. Don’t wait for a publishing house, a TV executive, or an investor to choose you—you will lose. It’s like Tom sitting at a bar, hoping his soulmate will just walk up and pick him. It doesn’t work that way.

From my personal experience, waiting for someone—even the closest ones—to confirm your ideas is both heartbreaking and incredibly self-consuming. I spent almost four years “cooking” my business plan. I did what I love most. All the while, I was waiting for validation that never came. I learned that sitting and waiting only stifles creativity and delays progress. You confirm your ideas by pursuing them.

Rosa Parks and the Power of a Push

It’s incredible how one moment—one split-second decision—can change everything.

Rosa Parks didn’t plan on becoming a civil rights icon that day. She was simply heading home after a long day of work, planning to have dinner with her husband. But one decision changed the course of history.

Curious about her story, I dug into everything I could find—biographies, radio interviews, articles, and even archives. What I discovered was powerful. Just weeks after her arrest, she described that moment in a radio interview. She said she didn’t hesitate. She didn’t overthink. She acted on instinct because she knew, “I was not being treated right.”

That’s the power of a push.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was pushed into the spotlight by his peers. Rosa pushed herself. They both experienced a moment where their instincts aligned. Their values and goals matched. They acted before doubt had the chance to creep in.

Greatness Is Within You

Your heart speaks, and in moments of courage, you don’t overthink—you listen. Greatness isn’t a personality trait reserved for a select few. It’s inside all of us.

Rosa Parks was described by those who knew her as quiet and shy. Dr. King struggled with self-doubt and fear in the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. But what made them great was not their confidence—it was their courage.

And you have that same courage inside of you.

“There is only one YOU. And there will never be another one. That’s your power.”

The next time you feel hesitation creeping in, try this: Count down—5, 4, 3, 2, 1—and push yourself. Because courage isn’t just about changing history. Sometimes, it’s simply about changing your own life.

For more everyday inspiration, check out:

• The Science Behind the #5SecondRule – Mel Robbins
• Building Daily Confidence – Psychology Today
• Overcoming Fear & Self-Doubt – Forbes