#56 - Jocko Willink, retired Navy SEAL, Part II of II: Sleep, fasting, raising kids, discipline, taking ownership, and the impact of war
Jun 3, 2019
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In this engaging discussion, Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL and bestselling author, opens up about his disciplined life. He shares insights into his sleep routine and the importance of fasting for both mind and body. Jocko also reflects on raising children with core values while tackling the challenges of leadership. His thoughts on the complex dynamics of warfare, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, reveal how his combat experiences have profoundly shaped his mindset. A fascinating exploration of the intersection between discipline, family, and resilience awaits!
Getting enough sleep is crucial for Jocko, who follows a disciplined sleep routine and values its impact on his overall well-being.
Discipline plays a significant role in Jocko's life, allowing him to achieve success and freedom in various aspects of life.
Deep dives
Sleep patterns and individual differences
Jocko shares that his sleep pattern typically involves going to bed around 11 pm and waking up at 4:30 am. He falls asleep quickly and wakes up with an alarm 50% of the time. When he wakes up without an alarm, he usually wakes up between 4:30 and 4:45 am. He doesn't feel tired when waking up naturally or with an alarm. Jocko occasionally takes short 8-minute naps during the day. He does not consume much caffeine and finds that it has a strong stimulating effect on him. He also uses a cooling pad for his bed to aid with sleep. Jocko mentions that he sometimes wakes up in sweat due to intense dreams, but the frequency is unclear. He acknowledges that genetics may play a role in individual sleep preferences and patterns. Overall, Jocko emphasizes the importance of sleep and believes that individuals should sleep as much as they need.
The Power of Discipline and Freedom
The speaker emphasizes the importance of discipline in achieving success, drawing from personal experiences in the Navy SEAL teams. Discipline allows for more freedom and better results in all areas of life.
Overcoming Challenges and the Importance of Perseverance
The speaker shares personal stories of facing challenges and setbacks, emphasizing the importance of not giving up. He highlights the difference between quitting a strategy versus quitting a strategic goal, and the need to adapt and persevere.
Self-Reflection, Free Will, and Impact of Personal Choices
The speaker reflects on the concept of free will and shares his views on it. He discusses the importance of taking ownership of one's choices and the impact they can have on personal growth and success.
In the second installment of this 2 part series, Jocko shares his sleep routine and attitude towards sleep, we talk about his meals (and occasional indulgences), his experience with fasting, and touch briefly on his workout routine. Jocko explains his approach to leading a family, instilling values in his kids, and working with others who may not share your same principles. We also find out what prompted Jocko to make discipline the underpinning principle of his life, when it might make sense to quit, and the philosophical topics such as free will, mindset, and whether or not you can change someone. We also discuss 9/11 and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the future of warfare, and perhaps more importantly, how Jocko’s experience in combat has shaped and impacted his life to this day.
We discuss:
Where was Jocko when the 9/11 attack occurred? What did he think? [5:45];
How SEAL teams are structured, and which teams Jocko was on [10:45];
War in Afghanistan: Unique challenges, how it differs from Iraq, and the lessons learned [13:00];
Iraq War: Differing public opinions on war, Jocko’s experiences in Iraq, strategic mistake of ISIS, and the Saddam regime [19:15];
The future of warfare: machine technology in war and medicine [27:30];
Raising kids, instilling values, and leading a family [33:45];
Sleep: Jocko’s habits, routine, and attitude towards sleep [40:15];
When it makes sense to quit [53:30];
What makes Jocko different, the existence of free will, and whether or not you can change people [1:01:45];
How to work with people with a bad attitude and opposing mindset [1:07:45];
Does Jocko ever indulge? Favorite foods and treats [1:11:00];