How To Make Decisions Like a CEO

As an Executive Assistant, you make hundreds of decisions a day, some small (approve this meeting request?), some big (rearrange an entire travel itinerary at the last minute?). But let’s be honest: sometimes, decision fatigue creeps in, and you find yourself overthinking things that shouldn’t take more than a few seconds to resolve.

That’s where The Five-Second Rule comes in.

No, we’re not talking about whether you can still eat that dropped piece of chocolate (we all know the answer is yes). This is about thinking like a CEO — making quick, confident decisions and moving forward with purpose.

What Is The Five-Second Rule?

The concept, popularised by Mel Robbins, is simple: The moment you have an instinct to act, you count down from five — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — and then you just do it. Why? Because the longer you hesitate, the more likely you are to overthink, doubt yourself, or talk yourself out of something entirely. CEOs live by this. They don’t have time for analysis paralysis. They make quick, informed decisions, adjust if necessary, and keep moving forward. And as an EA, you need to be just as sharp.

How to Use It in Your EA Role

1. In Meetings: Own the Room

Your executive looks at you in a meeting and asks, “Can we reschedule that client call?” You have two choices:

• Overthink it. Check three different calendars, re-read every email, and say, “I’ll get back to you.”
• Use the Five-Second Rule. You quickly scan their availability and say, “Yes, I’ll move it to Thursday at 2 PM.” Decision made. Next!

2. Inbox Overload: Stop Overthinking Your Responses

If you’ve ever stared at an email, rewriting the first sentence 12 times before deciding “I’ll reply later”, the Five-Second Rule is your new best friend.

• Read the email.
• Count down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
• Type your response and hit send.
• Move on.

No more sitting on simple emails that should’ve taken 30 seconds to answer.

3. Speaking Up: Seize the Moment

Ever had a brilliant idea in a meeting but talked yourself out of saying it? CEOs don’t wait for perfect moments. If you hesitate, the moment passes.

• The next time you have something valuable to contribute, count down from 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and speak up.
• The more you do it, the more confident you’ll become.

4. When It’s Time to Push Back

Your executive wants to squeeze in one more meeting on an already jam-packed schedule. Instead of hesitating and scrambling, you can confidently say, “That time is already booked, but I can move something or find another slot.”

• No awkward silence.
• No over-apologising.
• Just quick, direct, decisive communication.

The Bottom Line

The more confident and decisive you become, the more trust and authority you build. So next time you catch yourself hesitating, remember: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — decide, act, move forward. That’s how CEOs do it. And it’s how high-performing EAs do it, too.