Discipline Equals Freedom Book Summary - Discipline Equals Freedom Book explained in key points

Listen to the Intro

00:00

Discipline Equals Freedom summary

Name: Discipline Equals Freedom
Rating: 4.1 (847 reviews)
Author: Jocko Willink

Jocko Willink

Field Manual

4.1 (847 ratings)

23 mins

Brief summary

Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink is a motivational book that promotes the idea that self-discipline is essential for achieving freedom and success. It offers practical advice on how to develop and maintain a disciplined mindset that can help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.

Topics

Inspiration Sports Self-Help Routines & Habits Success

Table of Contents

Discipline Equals Freedom
Summary of 7 key ideas

Audio & text in the Blinkist app

Key idea 1 of 7

What’s in it for me? Push yourself to the top.

Are you the happiest, fittest, and most successful person you want to be? If not, why? Maybe you’re too busy to work on yourself right now? Or you don’t have the money – or motivation – to turn things around yet. Or maybe you just need to quit making excuses and do it!

That’s where these blinks come in. Tackling everything from diet and exercise to being a leader, this is your field manual to a more confident, healthy, and prosperous you. Discover what drives discipline; how action, aggression, and relentlessness get you closer to your goals; and why taking responsibility for your life is the key to setting yourself free.

In these blinks, you’ll learn

why there are no shortcuts in life;
the three pieces of equipment you need in your home gym; and
the only martial art you’ll ever need.

Discipline comes from inside you – what are you fighting for?

People always want to know the secret to getting better, smarter, and stronger. But more than that, they want to know how to get results fast. What life hacks can they learn? What shortcut can they take on the road to success?

The answer is: nothing! Real self-improvement can’t be hurried. It needs time and tons of discipline.

Discipline is your weapon in the fight against that little voice in your head that says, “Do it tomorrow.” You know the one. It coaxes you back to the couch instead of finishing the dishes. Now, discipline may repel laziness, but where does it come from? According to author and retired US Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, it comes from within – you just need to search for what drives you.

The key message here is: Discipline comes from inside you – what are you fighting for?

Jocko knew from a young age that he was preparing for war, and he knew he’d eventually have to confront his enemy. He didn’t know when or how, but he knew he’d need to be mentally and physically prepared to win. This drove him to mercilessly train himself and his men for battle. He didn’t allow excuses to stop them. And when he and his men were called into action, they fought hard and won.

Today, his military tours are over, and he’s back in the civilian world. What drives him now are the memories of his fellow soldiers that never made it back home. He makes every second of his day count to honor their sacrifice. And to make the most of every moment, you just need to find what drives you.

How? Well, the first step is to stop making excuses. Only you have power over yourself. So if you want to wake up early, do it. If you want to work out every day, do it. With a little bit of mind control, you can do anything.

Becoming better, fitter, and stronger takes work. Yes, it’s stressful – But life is stressful. And that’s OK. Humans were made to withstand incredible stress. Think of all the soldiers that fought the epic wars throughout history. Jocko did, which is how he got through his tours in Iraq. If warriors before him had been able to endure horrific situations like facing death in the First World War’s Battle of the Somme, or the Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg, then so could he.

That’s discipline – getting some perspective, conquering what you can control, accepting what you can’t, and then getting on with it.

Make aggression your default mode.

Discipline not only arms you against laziness, but it fuels you to succeed. It gives you purpose and clarity. You know why you’re choosing to wake up at 6:30 a.m. instead of hitting that tempting snooze button. That commitment to meet your goal every day should take the shape of aggression.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should be openly hostile for no reason or confrontational all the time. Aggression is the fire that ignites you to go after what you want. It’s a fighting attitude to use everything you have to outmaneuver and outperform your opponent. When you’re aggressive, you’re proactive – you don’t wait for your enemies to attack first.

Focusing on the wrong things is stopping you from being the person you could be.

You only have one life to live – and one shot at making it matter. This comes with a lot of stress, but adopting a few good habits will keep you moving toward the best version of yourself.

You need to eliminate anything that stalls your progress, like dwelling on mistakes. They’re bound to happen. Everyone makes them. And though it’s easy to dwell on those mistakes, the past can’t be changed. Regret just stops progress. The only productive purpose for regret is to teach a lesson on what to do differently next time. That’s it. So let regret fuel you to learn from the past, but not live in it.

Conquer your mornings, and you’ll conquer the competition.

Now that we’ve covered what it means to have discipline, let’s put it into action. There are two crucial everyday habits that everyone should start ASAP: a rigorous exercise routine and good sleeping habits.

First off, if you’re not exercising regularly, you should be. Exercise pumps up your natural endorphins and testosterone levels while giving your immune system a boost. Additionally, it makes you smarter by improving blood flow to the brain and releasing chemicals that help you think.

Commit to exercise, and build a home gym.

Regular exercise is 100 percent essential to becoming the best version of yourself. But what’s the very best workout? Anything! All exercise is equally valuable.

What matters is that you’re doing something, whether that’s stretching, walking, lifting weights, swimming, or playing a game of basketball. Exercise doesn't need to be complicated or proven by some science-driven methodology. You just need to move your body.

Start your martial arts discipline with Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

You never know when you might find yourself in danger. It happens even though nobody likes to think it will. But just being strong isn’t enough protection in threatening situations. That’s why Jocko recommends training in the ancient self-defense practice of martial arts.

The fundamental principles of martial arts have never changed and never will, but they evolve with new techniques and moves all the time. Martial arts can be explained in three broad categories: grappling, which uses leverage and holds to dominate your opponent; striking, which uses any body part – like punches, kicks, and headbutts – to defeat your enemy; and martial arts with weapons, which involve, well, weapons. Think sticks, knives, and firearms.

Your body is not adapted to digest grains properly.

Food is fuel for your body. If you want to become stronger and faster, you need to give your body the right fuel. But many of us rely on empty calories like doughnuts and cookies to get us through the day. You might think of them as food, but they’re not. They’re simply sugar delivery systems.

So, what should you be eating for optimal fuel? Let’s look to our human past to understand how to eat in the present. Our prehistoric ancestors thrived on a diet of vegetables and meat, with limited fruit.

Want to see all full key ideas from Discipline Equals Freedom?

Key ideas in Discipline Equals Freedom

More knowledge in less time

Read or listen

Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.

Find your next read

Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.

Shortcasts ^New

We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

What is Discipline Equals Freedom about?

Discipline Equals Freedom (2020) is your field manual to the art of self-discipline. It uncovers what you need to do to meet your full potential – and why being disciplined sets you free.

Discipline Equals Freedom Review

Discipline Equals Freedom (2017) by Jocko Willink is a powerful book that will inspire readers to take control of their lives through discipline. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:

With practical strategies and clear insights, it offers a roadmap to achieving personal and professional success through discipline.
The book emphasizes the importance of accountability and taking ownership of one's actions, empowering readers to create positive change in their lives.
Through real-life stories and personal experiences, Jocko Willink brings the concepts to life, creating an engaging and compelling reading experience.

Best quote from Discipline Equals Freedom

Everyone should train in martial arts, just as everyone should eat.

—Jocko Willink

Who should read Discipline Equals Freedom?

Fitness buffs looking for a new angle
Fans of straight-talking tough love
Anyone seeking inspiration to work harder

About the Author

Jocko Willink served as a Navy SEAL for 20 years and completed several tours of duty in Iraq. After returning home, Willink became a SEAL instructor and founded Echelon Front, a leadership training consultancy that applies SEAL training to corporate leadership.

Categories with Discipline Equals Freedom

Motivation & Inspiration Personal Development Health & Nutrition

Book summaries like Discipline Equals Freedom

No Excuses!

Brian Tracy

The Power of Self-Discipline

17 min

4.2

Extreme Ownership

Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

Fortune Favors the Brave

18 min

4.3

The Dichotomy of Leadership

Jocko Willink & Leif Babin

Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win

The Small Changes That Change Everything

22 min

4.6

Leadership Strategy and Tactics

Eric Potterat & Alan Eagle

Mental Disciplines for Leading and Winning from the World's Top Performers

16 min

4.5

Discipline Is Destiny

Ryan Holiday

The Power of Self-Control

18 min

4.7

Help Me, I Have No Discipline and Zero Self-Control

Vaughn Carter

The Secret Formula to Breaking Bad Habits, Mastering Mental Toughness, and Reaching Your Goals

Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness

18 min

4.5

When You're Ready, This Is How You Heal

Brianna Wiest

Inspiration to Begin Your Journey of True Transformation

18 min

4.6

The Power of Discipline

Daniel Walter

How to Use Self Control and Mental Toughness to Achieve Your Goals

The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8 A.M.)

Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

Better Business Decisions with Human Personality Science

An examination of the amoral game and techniques of seducers

19 min

4.0

The Anxious Generation

Jonathan Haidt

How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

The Science of Self-Awareness

The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire

30 min

4.5

Walmart

Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts

Key Insights and Practical Lessons from the World's Largest Retailer

17 min

4.5

The Richest Man in Babylon

George S. Clason

Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century

End Self-Sabotage and Demand Your Life Back

14 min

4.3

Creativity, Inc.

Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace

Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration

The secret methods to getting what you want

A Guide for Occupants

The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization

How to Start Conversations that Get Results

What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money – That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!

29 min

4.6

The Genius of Empathy

Judith Orloff

Practical Skills to Heal Your Sensitive Self, Your Relationships, and the World

15 min

3.7

Zero to One

Peter Thiel with Blake Masters

Notes on Startups, or How to Build The Future

26 min

4.6

No-Drama Discipline

Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind

17 min

4.4

The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking

Michael D. Watkins

Leading Your Organization Into the Future

20 min

4.1

Surrounded by Narcissists

Thomas Erikson

How to Effectively Recognize, Avoid, and Defend Yourself Against Toxic People (and Not Lose Your Mind)

21 min

4.3

Mastering Leadership

Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams

An Integrated Framework for Breakthrough Performance and Extraordinary Business Results

12 Mindshifts to Breakthrough Limiting Beliefs and Become Who You Were Born to Be

14 min

4.0

How to Stop Procrastinating

Steve Scott

A Simple Guide to Mastering Difficult Tasks

19 min

4.1

Million Dollar Habits

Brian Tracy

Proven Power Practices to Double and Triple Your Income

18 min

4.4

The Shortest History of Economics

Andrew Leigh

Explore Key Economic Moments and Their Impact on Today’s World

Obsession, Fury and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game

18 min

4.1

Never Split the Difference

Chris Voss and Tahl Raz

Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It

How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit

The Science and Art of Longevity

How to Get the Most Out of Your Life

18 min

4.5

Millennial Money Makeover

Conor Richardson

Escape Debt, Save for Your Future, and Live the Rich Life Now

25 min

4.4

How to Become a People Magnet

Marc Reklau

62 Strategies for Powerful Relationships and Positive Impact

Stop Drama, Eliminate Entitlement, Maximize Results

19 min

4.8

The Secret Language of the Body

Jennifer Mann & Karden Rabin

Regulate Your Nervous System, Heal Your Body, Free Your Mind

Smaller Habits, Bigger Results

14 min

4.6

The Upside of Your Dark Side

Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener

Why Being Your Whole Self – Not Just Your “Good” Self – Drives Success and Fulfillment

23 min

4.1

People ❤️ Blinkist

Sven O.

It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

Thi Viet Quynh N.

Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

Jonathan A.

Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

Renee D.

Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.