Jocko Willink Believes Motivation is a Failed Concept

Two-Brain Summit Speakers: Jocko Willink

Jocko Willink “Good” Transcript

“Good”

There is a wealth of content available in the world of business and life performance that is affirming, inspiring, and cheerful.

There is also another podcast out there now that approaches empowerment in a different manner than most. The Jocko Podcast is hosted by retired Navy Seal Jocko Willink along with his cohort in the studio Echo Charles.

Jocko is not here to motivate you. He believes motivation is a failed concept. He feels If you rely on motivation to get through the daily grind of life you will eventually get burned by it.

Discipline is a calling card for Jocko. Jocko touts discipline over motivation all day.

Jocko is frank and direct when dispensing his wisdom on the podcast. You will not be regaled with some new-age technique to help cajole you through your challenges in life.

Tried and true reliance on discipline is the foundation of Jocko’s ethos.

Jocko’s vocal delivery, every bit as imposing as his physical frame, helps hammer home his message.

Here is the “GOOD” Transcript from Jocko Willink

“How do I deal with setbacks, failures, delays, defeats, or other disasters? I actually have a fairly simple way of dealing with these situations, summed up in one word:

“Good.”

This is something that one of my direct subordinates, one of the guys who worked for me, a guy who became one of my best friends pointed out.

He would pull me aside with some major problem or issue that was going on, and he’d say, “Boss, we’ve got this thing, this situation, and it’s going terribly wrong.”

I would look at him and say, “Good.”

And finally, one day, he was telling me about something that was going off the rails, and as soon as he finished explaining it to me, he said, “I already know what you’re going to say.”

And I asked, “What am I going to say?”

And he said, “You’re going to say: ‘Good.’ ”

He continued, “That’s what you always say. When Something is wrong or going bad, you just look at me and say, ‘Good.’”

And I said, “Well. I mean it. Because that is how I operate.”

So, I explained to him that when things are going bad, there’s going to be some good that will come from it.

Oh, the mission got canceled? Good… We can focus on another one.
Didn’t get the new high-speed gear we wanted? Good… We can keep it simple.
Didn’t get promoted? Good… More time to get better.
Didn’t get funded? Good… We own more of the company.
Didn’t get the job you wanted? Good… Go out, gain more experience, and build a better resume.
Got injured? Good… Needed a break from training.
Got tapped out? Good… It’s better to tap out in training than tap out on the street.
Got beat? Good… We learned.
Unexpected problems? Good… We have to figure out a solutions

That’s it. When things are going bad: Don’t get all bummed out, don’t get started, and don’t get frustrated. No. Just look at the issue and say: “Good.”

Now, I don’t mean to say something trite; I’m not trying to sound like Mr. Smiley’s Positive Guy.

That guy ignores the hard truth.

That guy thinks a positive attitude will solve problems.

Jocko Motivation “GOOD” (From Jocko Podcast)

It won’t. But neither will be dwelling on the problem. No. Accept reality, but focus on the solution. Take that issue, take that setback, take that problem, and turn it into something good. Go forward. And, if you are part of a team, that attitude will spread throughout.

Finally: if you can say the word “good,” then guess what?

It means you’re still alive.

It means you’re still breathing.

And if you’re still breathing, that means you’ve still got some fight left in you.

So, get up, dust off, reload, recalibrate, re-engage – and go out on the attack.”

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