Forgive the length of this quote, but I feel that this whole speech in necessary to convey the message behind it. I find this to be an inspiring way to re-frame some of the negative things that happen in life:
How do I deal with setbacks, failures, delays, defeats, or other disasters? I actually have a fairly simple way of dealing with these situations, summed up in one word: 'Good.'
This is something that one of my direct subordinates, one of the guys who worked for me, a guy who became one of my best friends pointed out.
He would pull me aside with some major problem or issue that was going on, and hed say, 'Boss, weve got this thing, this situation, and its going terribly wrong.'
I would look at him and say, 'Good.'
And finally, one day, he was telling me about something that was going off the rails, and as soon as he finished explaining it to me, he said, 'I already know what youre going to say.'
And I asked, 'What am I going to say?'
And he said, 'Youre going to say: ‘Good. '
He continued, 'Thats what you always say. When Something is wrong or going bad, you just look at me and say, ‘Good. '
And I said, 'Well. I mean it. Because that is how I operate.'
So I explained to him that when things are going bad, theres going to be some good that will come from it.
Oh, the mission got canceled? Good… We can focus on another one.
Didnt get the new high-speed gear we wanted? Good… We can keep it simple.
Didnt get promoted? Good… More time to get better.
Didnt get funded? Good… We own more of the company.
Didnt get the job you wanted? Good… Go out, gain more experience, and build a better resume.
Got injured? Good… Needed a break from training.
Got tapped out? Good… Its better to tap out in training than tap out on the street.
Got beat? Good… We learned.
Unexpected problems? Good… We have to figure out a solution.
Thats it. When things are going bad: Dont get all bummed out, dont get frustrated. No. Just look at the issue and say: 'Good.' "
-JOCKO WILLINK
