Jocko Willink Quotes

“A lot of times, people have something that they're afraid of. They've got a client that's mad at them. They've got a project that's due. And they let that stress hang over their head. I don't let that happen.”

“Didn't get promoted? Good. More time to get better.”

“Don’t expect to be motivated every day to get out there and make things happen. You won’t be. Don’t count on motivation. Count on discipline.”

“Don’t fight stress. Embrace it. Turn it on itself. Use it to make yourself sharper and more alert. Use it to make you think and learn and get better and smarter and more effective. Use the stress to make you a better you.”

“Don’t let your mind control you. Control your mind.”

“Faster. Stronger. Smarter. More humble. Less ego.”

“A good leader does not get bogged down in the minutia of a tactical problem at the expense of strategic success.”

“A good leader has nothing to prove, but everything to prove.”

“A leader must be attentive to details but not obsessed by them.”

“A leader must lead but also be ready to follow. Sometimes, another member of the team – perhaps a subordinate or direct report – might be in a better position to develop a plan, make a decision, or lead through a specific situation.”

“A mission statement tells your troops what you are doing. But they have got to understand why they are doing it.”

“Actions and words reflect belief with a clear confidence and self-assuredness that is not possible when belief is in doubt.”

“Admitting mistakes, taking ownership, and developing a plan to overcome challenges are integral to any successful team.”

“Discipline equals freedom.”

“Discipline is the difference between being good and exceptional.”

“Don’t ask your leader what you should do, tell them what you are going to do.”

“In fact, discipline is the pathway to freedom.”

“In order to convince and inspire others to follow and accomplish a mission, a leader must be a true believer in the mission.”

“Leaders must own everything in their world. There is no one else to blame.”

“When it comes to performance standards, It’s not what you preach, it’s what you tolerate.”

“A person shouldn’t think they are the best thing in the world, but they shouldn’t think they are the worst either.”

“A person’s ego should be balanced in the middle somewhere. They should have confidence, but not be overconfident. They should believe they can win, but at the same time know they are going to have to work hard to get there. So ego isn’t good or bad, it is just something you have to learn to control.”

“The Warrior Kid keeps things neat and is always prepared and ready for action.”

“The Warrior Kid stays humble and stays calm. Warrior Kids do not lose their tempers.”

“The Warrior Kid studies to learn and gain knowledge and asks questions if he doesn’t understand.”

“The Warrior Kid trains hard, exercises, and eats right to be strong and fast and healthy.”

“The Warrior Kid trains to know how to fight so he can stand up to bullies and protect the weak.”

“The Warrior Kid treats people with respect and helps out other people whenever possible.”

“The Warrior Kid wakes up early in the morning.”

“The Warrior Kid works hard, saves money, is frugal and doesn’t waste things, and always does his best.”