606: Jack Carr - Writing Thrillers (The Terminal List), Working with Chris Pratt, Fighting Wars as a Navy SEAL, Putting In The Work, & Never Missing an Opportunity To Make Someone's Day
Jack Carr, a former Navy SEAL and #1 New York Times bestselling author of thrillers like "The Terminal List," shares his inspiring journey from military service to writing. He discusses the importance of trust and leadership, essential traits for SEALs and writers alike. Jack reflects on his early inspirations and the joy of reading, emphasizing the magic of storytelling. He also provides valuable advice for aspiring authors, reminding them that success comes from hard work and dedication, along with the importance of making meaningful connections.
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Quick takeaways
Jack Carr underscores the importance of dedication and effort, highlighting that success in writing and leadership requires consistent hard work and commitment.
His lifelong passion for reading shaped his writing skills and storytelling abilities, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives and perseverance in personal growth.
Effective leadership is grounded in trust and character, as Carr stresses the need for leaders to build credibility by making sound decisions and fostering strong team relationships.
Deep dives
Work Ethic and Commitment
Putting in the work is essential for achieving success in any field, including writing and leadership. Jack Carr emphasizes that if one does not put in the time and effort, desired outcomes will not materialize. His experience as a Navy SEAL and an author illustrates the importance of dedication in honing skills. This commitment to excellence fosters continuous improvement, pushing individuals to strive for progress in both their personal and professional lives.
The Influence of Reading
Jack Carr’s passion for reading significantly shaped his journey to becoming an author and a Navy SEAL. He began reading at a young age, absorbing stories that captured his imagination and provided storytelling education. This early love for literature not only helped him develop writing skills but also instilled the values of perseverance and understanding of diverse perspectives. As a lifelong learner, his reading habits laid the foundation for his success and influenced his approach to writing thrilling narratives.
Attributes of Effective Leadership
Trust is a cornerstone of effective leadership, according to Jack Carr. Leaders must foster trust both up and down the chain of command and build credibility through their character. This trust is cultivated by making sound decisions and demonstrating competence, especially in challenging situations. Carr highlights the necessity of being approachable, participating in team activities, and sharing responsibilities to maintain strong relationships with team members.
Lessons from Military Experiences
Military training and experiences profoundly impact decision-making skills, especially under pressure. Jack Carr discusses how SEALs must be prepared for split-second decisions that can affect lives during high-stakes operations. These scenarios shape leaders who learn creativity and adaptability in problem-solving. The parallel he draws between military operations and writing underscores the need for thoughtful preparation and execution in both arenas.
Transitioning to Nonfiction
Jack Carr’s venture into nonfiction reflects his desire to educate and inform about significant historical events, particularly those related to terrorism. He aims to humanize stories from events like the 1983 Marine Barracks bombing, emphasizing the need for accountability in military and political decision-making. By addressing impactful moments in history, Carr hopes to shed light on the consequences of leadership choices and their long-term effects on individuals and communities. His collaboration with a seasoned historian further ensures that these narratives are told accurately and respectfully.
Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL who for 20 years led special operations teams as a Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander, and Task Unit Commander. Jack is also the #1 New York Times Best Selling author of 8 books and his debut novel, The Terminal List, was adapted into the #1 Amazon Prime Video series starring Chris Pratt.
Notes
When Jack was little, he hoped to grow up and do two things. Be a Navy SEAL and become an author.
Jack's grandfather died at war. "It's in my blood."
"You have to prove that you can add value to your tribe."
"Great warriors run to the sound of the guns to be with their fellow service members."
Commonality of the best SEAL Leaders:
Trust, up and down the chain of command
High character
Good decision-maker: The decisions you’ve made in the past are your currency.
Do things you don’t have to do. Run with the squad, put rounds down range. You don’t have to be the best at it, but you should be very good at all of the things the people you’re leading are doing.
Reading novels: "When I was young, I was reading for the magic in those pages."
PUT IN THE WORK… Jack has been putting in the work since he was little. He read books for the magic in those pages. All of that reading has helped inform him of what great storytelling looks like. And then he PUT IN THE WORK. If you want to be a published author, you need to WRITE. It’s that simple. Do the work, and get the manuscript done. And then take the next step. A lot of people want to be published authors. Not everyone wants to write. Like Ronnie Coleman said, “A lot of people want to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift these heavy weights every day.”
Mentor, Brad Thor: “Brad told me that the only difference between a published and unpublished author is that the published author doesn’t quit.”
Writers Block – One thing I’ll share from Steven Pressfield is that he said “Hey, you never hear of a trucker getting trucker’s block”. Writer’s block does not exist - you just have to go do it.
Books to recommend: ONCE AN EAGLE by Anton Myrer.
It is advice that a wise Sam Damon shares: “You can’t help what you were born and you may not have much to say about where you die, but you can and you should try to pass the days in between as a good man.” In the end that really says it all.
Advice:
Never miss an opportunity to make someone’s day… Make that your default setting. Work to add value to others' lives. Make their day. Help them. Make introductions, LISTEN to them, offer ideas to help solve their issues
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