One of the key qualities a leader must possess is the ability to detach from the chaos, mayhem, and emotions in a situation and make good, clear decisions based on what is actually happening.
Jocko WillinkRead
When I checked into SEAL Team One many years ago, one of the things that I noticed was there was this old guy, who was younger than I am today, who I decided that I was going to be like. I wanted to emulate what he was doing, and one of those things was he got to work before anybody else.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of hard work and emulating positive role models.
In this quote, Jocko Willink reflects on his early experiences in SEAL Team One and highlights the impact of observing a committed and hardworking individual. This 'old guy', despite being younger than Willink is today, became a role model for him, illustrating the value of dedication, punctuality, and emulating those who set a strong example in their work ethic.
Themes
MotivationWork EthicEmulationSuccessDedication
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to inspire young professionals to adopt a strong work ethic.
More from Jocko Willink
All quotes βThere is one thing that gets you out of bed in the morning, and that is discipline. Because your dreams and your goals are not there waking up for you in the morning.
Jocko WillinkRead
The moment the alarm goes off is the first test; it sets the tone for the rest of the day. The test is not a complex one: when the alarm goes off, do you get up out of bed, or do you lie there in comfort and fall back to sleep? If you have the discipline to get out of bed, you win - you pass the test.
Jocko WillinkRead
Don't worry about motivation. Motivation is fickle. It comes and goes. It is unreliable - and when you are counting on motivation to get your goals accomplished, you will likely fall short.
Jocko WillinkRead
Discipline starts every day when the first alarm clock goes off in the morning. I say 'first alarm clock' because I have three, as I was taught by one of the most feared and respected instructors in SEAL training: one electric, one battery powered, one windup.
Jocko WillinkRead
When things are going bad, don't get all bummed out. Don't get startled; don't get frustrated. If you can say the word 'good,' guess what? It means you're still alive. It means you're still breathing.
Jocko WillinkRead
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Infuse your life with action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen... yourself, right now, right down here on Earth.
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The writer has to force himself to work. He has to make his own hours and if he doesn't go to his desk at all there is nobody to scold him.
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If I'm on a roll, and I finish a script at 3:00, I'll start another at 3:02.
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I was well motivated. What I wanted to do was work for myself. I had twenty two jobs before I started my business at the age of twenty three and I didn't want one more boss telling me what to do. So I was motivated simply because I didn't want a boss.
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If you exhaust every play out of the pocket, what happens is you find more opportunities.
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Expect the best; convert problems into opportunities; be dissatisfied with the status quo; focus on where you want to go, instead of where you're coming from; and most importantly, decide to be happy, knowing it's an attitude, a habit gained from daily practice, and not a result or payoff.
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