Jocko Willink is a former United States Navy SEAL commander, and author of seven books:

1. Extreme Ownership – How Navy SEALS Lead and Win
2. Discipline Equals Freedom – Field Manual
3. Way of the Warrior Kid
4. Way of the Warrior Kid – Marc’s Mission
5. The Dichotomy of Leadership
6. Mikey and the Dragons
7. Way of the Warrior Kid 3

He focuses on teaching the leadership principles that he learned as the Commander of the SEAL Task Unit Bruiser, where he was stationed in Iraq fighting in the Battle of Ramadi. He is the co-owner of the leadership consulting company, Echelon Front where he, along with Extreme Ownership Co-Author Leif Babin, provide practical solutions to create high performance success in professional teams.

Jocko’s most recent book, Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual

In Discipline Equals Freedom, Jocko hones in more on his personal methods for life, and leadership.

The book is separated into 4 parts:

• Thoughts – This is where Jocko covers his personal views on many things
• Actions – This is where Jocko goes more pragmatic in how he attacks life
• Fuel – Feeding the Machine – Jocko’s take on food
• The Workouts – Here Jocko outlines his personal workouts, and breaks them into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced with 4 tiers of difficulty in each

Discipline Equals Freedom is a phenomenal read, and it’s also a bad ass design.

The book is all black, with no dust cover. The pages are all black with white type, and each page has a black and white backdrop behind it.
(There is a picture of two of the passages down below so you can see how the book is laid out.)

The writing style of Discipline Equals Freedom is like no book I’ve ever read…It’s almost written in poems.

The writing style is incredible, and as you read each passage, the whole book is practically narrated in Jocko’s distinct surly voice.

While Jocko is very well known for his aggressive style, rough exterior, and assertive attitude, he actually has a bachelors degree in English. This, combined with his extensive leadership experience, and take-action attitude, make him a phenomenal motivator and a role model for many.

Here are 31 of the best Jocko Willink Quotes from Discipline Equals Freedom

The Way of Discipline – “THERE IS NO EASY WAY. There is only hard work, late nights, early mornings, practice, rehearsal, repetition, study, sweat, blood, toil, frustration, and discipline. DISCIPLINE.”

The Enemy – “I know that somewhere out there, another man is also preparing. That man is the enemy.”

Where Does Discipline Come From – “If you don’t think you are disciplined: It is because you haven’t decided to be disciplined. YET.”

Overcoming Procrastination – “Stop thinking about it. Stop Dreaming about it. Stop researching every aspect of it…Start doing it. Take that first step and make It happen. GET AFTER IT.”

The Person You Can Control – “The only person you can control is you. So focus on making yourself who you want to be: Faster. Stronger. Smarter. More humble. Less ego.”

Mind Control – “You have to decide that you are going to be in control, that you are going to do what YOU want to do. Weakness doesn’t get a vote. Laziness doesn’t get a vote. Sadness doesn’t get a vote. Frustration doesn’t get a vote. NEGATIVITY doesn’t get a vote. ”

Mind Control (2)- “You are declaring martial law on your mind: MIND CONTROL.”

Destroyer Mode – “Fight weak emotions with the power of logic; fight the weakness of logic with the power of emotion.”

Here is Jocko Willink reading the passage “Destroyer Mode” from Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual.

Fight – “Go out in a blaze of Glory, fighting with everything you’ve got, every ounce of energy, every bead of sweat, every drop of blood – until your last breath. And then – and only then- can you stand down, put down your sword and your shield, and rest: in peace.”

Default Aggressive – I don’t view aggression as an outward attitude. I view aggression as an internal character trait. A fire in your mind that says: I’m going to win”

Nature vs Nurture – “So to me, it is not about nature or nurture: It’s about choice”

Fear of Failure – I don’t want you to overcome fear of failure. I want you to be afraid of failure.

Sugar Coated Lies – Those donuts aren’t food. THEY ARE POISON. Same with the chocolate chip cookies, the chocolate cake, the can of soda, the bag of potato chips….All that junk isn’t going to make you stronger, faster, smarter or better. It’s going to do the opposite. And you know this. YOU KNOW THAT YOU DON’T NEED ANY OF THAT JUNK.

RELATED: How to Solve All Your Crummy Problems (and Truly Make a Difference

Not Feeling It – How do I handle those days when I’m just not ‘feeling it’? Those days when I am tired or worn out or just sick of the grind…What do I do on those days? I GO ANYWAY. I GET IT DONE.

Not Feeling It (2) – Don’t really want to workout? I work out. Don’t really want to hammer on the project? I hammer on the project. Don’t really want to get up and get out of bed? I GET UP AND GET OUT OF BED.

Focus – Embed that long-term goal in your mind. Burn it into your soul….but most important: do something about it. Every day. Every day: Do something that moves you closer towards that goal – that keeps the goal in sight and in focus.

Draw Fire – “Be the one who people look to. Absorb the impact – and the negativity. Draw fire – yes: Draw (enemy) fire.

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

RELATED: Read The Complete “GOOD” Transcript  by Jocko Willink

Every Day – “This isn’t a part-time gig. This isn’t punch the clock and go home for the day. You don’t get weekends off. No…this is an everyday gig. Everyday is a Monday…I love it.

No More – “No more excuses…Now is the time for strength. And through strength – and through will – and through unwavering discipline – I will become what I want to be. I will become who I want to be.

Staying Motivated – “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.”

Here is an example of two pages of Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual

Remain Vigilant – “It isn’t that you wake up one day and decide, that’s it: I’m going to be weak. No. It’s a slow incremental process. It chips at your will – It chips at your discipline.

Fear – “Step aggressively towards your fear – that is the step into bravery.”

Negative Talk from Negative People – “IGNORE AND OUTPERFORM. Yes. While you are over there watching me and talking about me – I’m working. Working hard. I’m taking things to the next level.”

Engage – “Weakness is strong. I must be stronger.”

Psychological Edge – “There are a slew of psychological advantages that come from early morning physical training. First, there is a psychological win over the enemy. Knowing that you are working harder than your adversaries gives you an advantage. It gives you confidence that you can overcome them in battle.”

Here is Jocko Willink reading the passage “Psychological Edge” from Discipline Equals Freedom: Field manual.

Sleep – “Go to bed at 9:55pm and you can get up at 4:55am, still get your seven hours, and be up before the enemy.”

The Workouts – “Everyone wants to know: what should a workout actually consist of? And first of all – let me say this: The most important thing to do is SOMETHING. ANYTHING.”

Addicted to Sugar – “The lies will come, and the will come from you. The lies you will tell yourself are: It’s no big deall. You can have just a little. It isn’t worth it to feel this bad. The body needs carbs. You will rationalize, and start to listen to these lies. DON’T.”

Fasting – “In this age, the food around you is actually trying to kill you. It is poison. Donuts? Poison. Soda? Poison. Potato Chips? Poison. YOU DON’T NEED IT.”

Dealing with Injuries and Illness – “If you are sick or injured, don’t use that as an excuse to skip workouts to stay in bed all day. Do what you can.”

Here I’ve got a great infographic full of great Jocko Willink Quotes from Discipline Equals Freedom.

BONUS FROM JOCKO PODCAST
Here is an excerpt from Jocko Podcast where Willink is discussing being a new leader and not knowing as much as your subordinates.
It’s been dubbed; The Leadership Comb-over.

Thanks for reading this collection of Jocko Willink Quotes Discipline Equals Freedom.

Which quote inspires you…which one speaks to you? Leave a comment below!

-NG