Jocko Willink Quotes

United States, Podcaster
September 8, 1971

John Gretton "Jocko" Willink (born September 8, 1971) is an American podcaster, author, and retired United States Navy SEAL. He received the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service in the Iraq War. Willink was commander of SEAL Team Three's Task Unit Bruiser during the Battle of Ramadi. Jocko graduated from the University of San Diego in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in English. Together with fellow former SEAL Leif Babin, Willink wrote the book Extreme Ownership and founded the consulting firm Echelon Front. Willink hosts a weekly podcast with friend and Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner Echo Charles, called the Jocko Podcast.

Also known as Author, Military Officer

If you continue to keep low performers on your team, that are actually dragging the team down; you're failing the whole team, and eventually, the whole team is going to fail.

Jocko Willink
- Team
Anybody who tells you that a two-day conference, you're going to turn into the General Patton of leadership, they're not telling you the truth. But you can learn the fundamentals; you can absolutely understand the fundamentals.

Jocko Willink
- Truth
- Leadership

Getting out of bed is like the foundation of the discipline, and I think it carries over into everything else.

Jocko Willink
- Discipline
There 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 Willink
- Up
- Morning
- Goals
I'm always reading the next book. Taking notes. Highlighting, researching, studying. It doesn't stop.

Jocko Willink
- Book
- Stop
- Reading
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 Willink
If someone attacks me, and they want to punch or kick me, I can just run away. They're not holding onto me. I can get away from them.

Jocko Willink
I eat steak primarily. That's pretty much what my diet consists of. Sometimes I supplement that with other steaks.

Jocko Willink
- Pretty

Your success, or lack of success, is your responsibility. Even when you have a chain of command that you don't like as well, its your responsibility to work with the up chain of command.

Jocko Willink
- Up
- Work
- Success
Do I have chocolate chip cookies? Yes, I do. Do I have mint chocolate chip milkshakes? Yes, I do. I love them. They are fantastic. But when I have them, they're worth it. I earned them. I did something. I worked out super hard. I stayed clean on food.

Jocko Willink
- Food
- Chocolate
The thing about Jiu Jitsu is it is also not for everybody. It can be very humiliating and humbling. If you have a hard time dealing with the fact that someone smaller than you may be able to tap you out, it is going to be difficult.

Jocko Willink
- Time
- May