CW
How To Build Unstoppable Confidence - Jocko Willink (4K)
@ Chris Williamson
06/03/25
Takeaways
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
The 'lean startup' approach helps startups validate ideas quickly.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
There are no solutions, only trade-offs; you can't solve everything in life without making compromises.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
To build confidence, it's essential to admit when you're unsure about what to do; this acknowledgment makes the world feel easier.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
Confidence comes from experience, but a key to gaining it quickly is being okay with not knowing everything.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
When you're preparing for a challenge, humility drives you to train and plan thoroughly, but once you're in the moment, you need to switch to a mindset of confidence and determination.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
Action is the antidote to anxiety; once you take action, the fear and what-ifs in your mind disappear.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
The fear of a situation often only exists before you engage with it; once you start, that fear dissipates.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
You can control more than you think; if you let the world happen to you, it will, but if you want to make something happen, you can choose to do so.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
In a firefight, the gut-wrenching fear comes from the responsibility of your teammates getting wounded or killed, not from the fear of your own death, which I accepted as part of my job.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
The feeling of responsibility for your friends in a dangerous situation is something that you won't experience in a normal job, and the stakes are much higher than in business mistakes.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
When something goes wrong in business, I remind my team that no one is going to die, and we will recover from it, which helps put things in perspective.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
The worst thing that has ever happened to you is relative; whether it's a firefight or a financial mistake, the impact is personal and cannot be compared to others' experiences.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
In training, we simulate firefights with paintball guns, but the chaos and confusion of real combat is far more intense, as you often don't know where the shots are coming from.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
The portrayal of firefights in movies often misses the chaos and confusion that actually occurs, which is crucial for understanding the reality of combat situations.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
Leaders in chaotic situations must step back, assess the situation, and make decisions rather than getting caught up in the confusion.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
Discipline is a choice, not an innate trait; it requires conscious effort to maintain, especially when faced with distractions or temptations.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
Discipline begets discipline; making good decisions leads to more good decisions, while bad decisions can lead to a downward spiral.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
The life you want is often on the other side of difficult conversations that you're unprepared to have, and facing them can lead to personal growth. It takes more discipline to take a day off when you're feeling worse, rather than pushing through. I enjoy working out, but I don't enjoy it every single day. I know the long-term results are worth it, and if I skip a workout today, I can't get that time back. Progress is built over time, and just like Rome, it doesn't fall apart in a day, but it can fall apart little by little.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
Discipline is doing the thing even when you don't want to do it. Motivation can be fleeting, so you can't rely on it. Instead, focus on discipline to keep moving forward, regardless of how you feel in the moment.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
When you're in a tough situation, prioritize and execute. Identify your biggest problem and start solving it. Taking action is crucial; if you don't, the downward spiral continues. You need to take small steps to reassemble your life and make improvements.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
You need a sense of urgency in life. If you feel directionless, take action immediately. Reflect on what you want and start pursuing it. Life won't wait for you to figure things out; you have to make it happen.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
If you're feeling lost or directionless, take 15 minutes to figure out what you want to do with your life. Life is short, and you need to make things happen. Don't wait for opportunities; go out and create them.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
You have to be willing to get punched in the face, metaphorically speaking. Life will throw challenges at you, and you need to learn that you can handle them. It's important to prove to yourself that you're resilient and not made of glass. Discipline is the foundation for true autonomy, leading to confidence and resilience.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
Comfort can be a slow death. It's important to balance rest and recovery without letting comfort weaken your resolve. If you're going backwards in life, it might be time to take a breather and reassess your approach.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
You need to be objective about your performance. If you're not progressing, it might be time to take a break. Recognize when you're overtraining or taking on too much, and allow yourself to rest when necessary.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
James Clear suggests never missing two days in a row when it comes to habits. One missed day is a mistake, but two missed days can lead to a new habit of inaction. This principle helps prevent downward spirals in your progress.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
The US Army's recruitment numbers have reached the highest levels in 15 years, likely due to the new administration's pro-American stance.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
Pete Hegseth is a change agent in the military, bringing aggressive changes that some establishment figures oppose.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
The military's leadership structure is becoming top-heavy, with a need to streamline upper ranks and reallocate responsibilities to lower-ranking officers.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
The principles of warfare remain applicable, but they must be adapted to new technologies as warfare evolves.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
Keeping an open mind is crucial in warfare, as rapid changes can lead to unexpected tactics that could flank you.
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Jocko Willink
06/03/25
@ Chris Williamson
The conflict of ideas is central to warfare, and understanding this can lead to better strategies than just physical force.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
Misinformation is a significant issue in modern conflicts, and addressing it requires better information rather than just correcting falsehoods.
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Jocko Willink
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@ Chris Williamson
The perception of sacrifice in warfare varies greatly between cultures, affecting how conflicts are understood and approached.