JP Dinnell Podcast 068: Planning Past Failure | Pushing Past Quitters Friday

Hosts: JP Dinnell & Lucas Pinckard
Date: January 10, 2025

Overview

In this episode, JP Dinnell and co-host Lucas Pinckard tackle the challenge of pushing past failure points, both in life and leadership, especially in the face of a new year and the inevitable temptation to quit. They explore the importance of honest self-assessment, building discipline through routines, learning from past failures, and the value of having strong personal and team alignment. Drawing from JP’s experience as a Navy SEAL, recent personal struggles, and examples from their work at Echelon Front, they deliver actionable insights on perseverance, planning beyond quitting, and intentionally building a legacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Cycles of Team Culture and Leadership

Timestamps: 04:00 – 11:45

• Navy SEAL Legacy & Hazing:
  JP recounts lessons learned from respected mentors like Steve Chira and the tension between tradition and progress, especially in onboarding "new guys" in the SEALs.
  • “He taught me a lot. He had a lot of patience. That guy had a lot of patience with us, which is impressive because most guys in the SEAL teams don't have a lot of patience towards the new guys.” – JP (04:49)
• Breaking Toxic Cycles:
  Culture of hazing can perpetuate unless strong leaders intervene to set higher standards. JP praises leaders who challenge status quo rituals that undermine competence.
  • “Comparison is the ultimate thief of joy.” – JP (25:37)

2. Honest Assessment — The Prerequisite for Growth

Timestamps: 24:00 – 26:42

• Facing Where You Really Are:
  Lucas shares personal vulnerability about family and financial goals falling short of expectations. JP encourages that honest self-evaluation, even if painful, is essential.
  • “I think the first thing you have to do, which you guys have done, is do a really good, thorough, honest assessment... you know where you’re at.” – JP (24:37)
• Comparison Dangers & Individual Journeys:
  Addressing how comparing struggles can demotivate, JP stresses: “Your issues are your issues, and they're real.” (25:10)

3. Flexibility in Planning & Execution

Timestamps: 27:00 – 33:38

• Expecting Change:
  Both hosts stress that annual assessments (or more frequent ones) are invaluable, but plans must remain flexible to accommodate unforeseen challenges.
  • “If you're flexible and you're expecting those changes to come, then when they do happen, it doesn't derail you, it doesn't throw you off. You're like, oh, cool, we actually expected this.” – JP (33:14)
• Applying Ownership to All Assignments:
  Even unwanted tasks present opportunities for growth if approached with the right attitude.

4. Routines, Discipline & Sustainable Success

Timestamps: 36:22 – 47:27

• Richness in Routine:
  Both discuss the importance of routines not as rigidity, but as scaffolding for creativity and spontaneous moments.
  • “You have to learn to find the richness in routine.” – Lucas (35:20)
• Why Most People Quit (75 Hard & Deaf Reset):
  They debate the virtues of 75 Hard and the Deaf Reset, noting the challenge is sticking with beneficial habits, not just completing a program.
  • “Do the work, win the prize. It's not rocket science. If you do the work, you'll win the prize. The thing is you have to do the work.” – JP (38:08)
• Tailoring Routines:
  Routines should be personalized and flexible — strict for some, fluid for others, but always intentional.

5. Alignment in Marriage & Teams

Timestamps: 29:59 – 31:54, 42:33 – 46:35

• Supportive Spouses:
  JP credits alignment with his wife, Amanda, as a key factor in years of business growth and handling the demands of travel.
  • “If you and your wife have alignment, then you can go accomplish anything, bro.” – JP (29:59)
• Communication Evolves Through Challenge:
  Lucas reflects on how discipline-focused challenges improved communication and understanding with his wife.
  • “What a terrible communicator I am sometimes when it comes to the person that I should be communicating with the most... That was a big, nasty wake up call.” – Lucas (46:14)

6. Planning Past the Points of Failure

Timestamps: 55:27 – 58:56

• Podcasting Milestones & Beyond:
  They analogize “Quitters Friday” and podcast episode milestones with common failure points in life projects: most podcasts die after episode 3, then after three years—so set milestones way beyond those points.
  • “If the failure point is three episodes, then start planning episode five so that you've got something to look forward to. If the failure point is three years, then let's look at what we're going to do on episode 153.” – Lucas (58:05)
• Legacy Building:
  JP urges listeners to recognize they're all building a legacy — the question is whether it's a good one.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Leadership Culture:
  “When you're a new guy, you're a new guy... You're diminishing the accomplishments, right?” – Lucas (10:44)
• On Taking Responsibility:
  “Your business isn't where it needs to be. What are you gonna do about it? Are you going to let it keep going the same course? Are you gonna make adjustments?... Are you gonna quit, or are you gonna double?” – JP (25:07)
• On Routines Enabling Spontaneity:
  "You can't do something that's spontaneous unless you have structure. The whole idea of spontaneity is that it gets you out of the structure that you have." – Lucas (53:12)
• On Pushing Through Failure Points:
  “Learn to not just find the richness in routine, but think beyond the failure points.” – Lucas (57:44)
• On Legacy:
  “Every single one of you, myself included, we are all leaving a legacy. So the thing I'll ask you is what type of legacy are you leaving?" – JP (66:50)

Practical Takeaways

• Self-Assessment:
  Conduct honest self-assessment regularly — not just yearly.
• Set Clear, Flexible Plans:
  Plan ahead, but anticipate that things will change, and be ready to adapt.
• Build and Maintain Discipline:
  Find routines that work for you and stick to them, but allow room to pivot as new needs arise.
• Communicate & Align with Your Team/Family:
  Strong alignment and open communication, especially with those closest to you, provide the foundation for enduring through tough seasons.
• Think Beyond the Obvious Failure Point:
  Set milestones and plan implications beyond the “standard” quitting points.
• Reflect on Accomplishments:
  After every challenge or program (like 75 Hard), identify what you want to keep, rather than just moving on.
• Legacy Mindset:
  Be intentional; your choices are shaping your legacy every day.

Key Timestamps

• SEAL Team culture & mentorship: 04:00 – 11:45
• The importance of honest assessment: 24:00 – 26:42
• Flexibility and the evolving plan: 27:00 – 33:38
• Routines, discipline, and sustainable change: 36:22 – 47:27
• Aligning with your spouse & family: 29:59 – 31:54; 42:33 – 46:35
• Planning beyond failure points: 55:27 – 58:56
• Closing legacy challenge: 66:50 – end

Tone & Style

Authentic, conversational, and direct, rich with practical wisdom, humility, and candid personal stories.

Summary prepared for listeners wanting the actionable wisdom and best insights from JP Dinnell Podcast 068 – skip the intros, outros, and ads, and dig straight into the substance of what keeps winners going long after most people have quit.