“Good.”

5 Minute Read

"Good." – Jocko Willink

Yes, today’s midweek motivation quote is a single word.

If you’re unfamiliar with Jocko, he is a retired United States Navy officer who served as a Navy SEAL. His job now is basically to be a total bad a$$.

When any negative situation arises, no matter how bad, Jocko has one word to say to himself and his teams:

"Good."

The word itself is an entire mindset. Said in any and all negative situations, its point is to remind everyone involved that there is always something good to come of it. We can use adversity as a stepping stone for growth and resilience. In essence, every challenge becomes an opportunity.

"Good." For Runners

When faced with a tough situation, saying "Good" might seem counterintuitive. But this mindset shift can transform how we view and respond to adversity. Importantly, the point is not to ignore difficulties or simply not let them bother you. The point is to use the difficulty to your advantage.

Sprained your ankle in training? Good.You have the opportunity to develop upper body strength, flexibility, and mental strength.

You overtrained for a race? Good. You’re going to learn about proper training increases and recovery techniques.

Race got canceled? Good. The training you put in serves as base fitness to go bigger.

Acceptance to Adaptation

The first step is accepting the situation. Do this as fast as possible. Instead of resisting reality, acknowledge it and adapt. Acceptance doesn't mean giving up; it means being ready to pivot and find new ways to move forward.

Learning and Growth

Every challenge is opportunity in disguise. There is always a direct positive outcome, whether it be an opportunity to learn, or change course.

Mental Resilience

Saying "Good" builds mental toughness. It trains your mind to stay positive and solution-focused, even in the face of adversity. This resilience will carry over into all areas of your life, making you stronger and more adaptable.

Practical Steps to Implement "Good"

This is the easiest quote to implement.

Simply say to yourself “Good.” any time anything happens, whether it be good or bad. The quote is easy to remember, so you should be all set there.

And, if you want to feel like a bad a$$ like Jocko, you can watch this video.

Finish it up here

"Good."

This mindset allows us to turn setbacks into comebacks and build a stronger, more resilient version of ourselves.

Use “Good.” to further build a routine you love, and train consistently. With consistency, we Fuel Our Passion.