E102 - Lee Child: Hoping for the best but planning for the worst

Lee Child (aka James Dover Grant CBE) is an author, most well known for his thriller series Jack Reacher. The novels follow Jack, a former American military policeman, who ambles around the United States. The series has sold over 100 million copies, selling 9 books every second.

Lee Child was born in Coventry, went to law school in Sheffield and after part-time work in the theatre, he joined Granada Television in Manchester for what turned out to be an eighteen-year career as a presentation director. But Lee was fired in 1995 at the age of 40 as a result of corporate restructuring. He decided to throw all those years of television experience behind writing a thriller, spent £3.99 on some paper and pencils, sat down to write a book, Killing Floor, the first in the Jack Reacher series.

Reacher launches on Prime Video on 4th February.

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**Key Points:**

- **Embrace Failure:** Lee Child's journey to becoming a successful author began with a job loss at age 40. Instead of dwelling on the setback, he saw it as an opportunity for a fresh start.

- **Mindset Shift:** Child adopted a positive mindset, believing in his ability to succeed as a writer despite the low odds of success. He visualized his books becoming bestsellers and remained unwavering in his conviction.

- **Openness to Experiences:** Child's diverse work experiences, including theater and television, contributed to his growth mindset. He embraced new challenges and learned valuable lessons from each endeavor.

- **Process vs. Outcome:** Child emphasizes the importance of focusing on the writing process rather than solely on the outcome. He believes in giving each book his best effort, treating each one as if it were his first and last.

- **Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst:** Child follows the motto of hoping for the best while planning for the worst. He aims for success but acknowledges the possibility of setbacks and prepares accordingly.

- **Teacher's Influence:** Child credits a high school English teacher for instilling in him the importance of serving the audience. This lesson shaped his approach to writing, emphasizing the reader's happiness over personal recognition.

- **Feedback Loop:** In the absence of immediate feedback in writing, Child relies on his dual role as writer and reader. He taps into his extensive reading experience to evaluate his work from a reader's perspective.

- **Motivation:** Child's motivation has evolved over time. Initially driven by financial necessity, his success has shifted his focus to fulfilling his readers' expectations and delivering high-quality work.

- **Embrace Change:** Child acknowledges that life is not linear and that setbacks are inevitable. He encourages individuals to remain open to change and to view challenges as opportunities for growth.

- **Teaching and Inspiration:** Child emphasizes the importance of teachers and the impact they can have on individuals' lives. He believes that teachers have a responsibility to inspire and support their students, and that this positive influence can have a lasting impact.

# Lee Child, Author of the Jack Reacher Series: Insights from a High-Performance Life

## Introduction:
- Lee Child, author of the bestselling Jack Reacher series, joins the High Performance Podcast to share his journey, insights, and lessons learned.

## Key Points:

### 1. Writing as a Financial and Emotional Contract:
- Lee Child emphasizes the shift from writing as a financial contract to an emotional contract with readers.
- He stresses the importance of respecting readers' time and delivering quality content that resonates with them.

### 2. Non-Negotiable Behaviors:
- Child shares two non-negotiable behaviors:
- Getting over oneself and recognizing that everyone is an equal part of the equation.
- Treating others with the same respect one expects to receive.

### 3. Time and Sacrifice:
- Child reflects on the biggest sacrifice he made in his journey to success: juggling time.
- He highlights the challenge of balancing work and personal life, especially when working irregular hours.

### 4. Legacy and Humility:
- Child expresses indifference towards legacy, stating that he doesn't expect to be remembered beyond a few days.
- He emphasizes the importance of living in the present and enjoying the journey rather than focusing on leaving a lasting legacy.

### 5. Advice to a Teenage Lee:
- Child's advice to his younger self is to not panic and to avoid narrowing down choices too early.
- He encourages exploring different paths and experiences to broaden one's perspective.

### 6. Golden Rule for a High-Performance Life:
- Child's golden rule is to live life to the fullest and embrace the present moment.
- He emphasizes that there is only one life, and it's important to make the most of it without worrying about a second chance.

### 7. Overcoming Setbacks:
- Child's journey exemplifies the power of overcoming setbacks and finding success later in life.
- He highlights the importance of resilience, perseverance, and focusing on the process rather than the outcome.

### 8. The Importance of Emotional Intelligence:
- Child emphasizes the need to develop emotional intelligence and empathy in young people.
- He believes that I can and I will is more important than IQ and that education should focus on developing resilience, empathy, and love.

## Conclusion:

- Lee Child's interview offers valuable insights into the mindset, values, and strategies that have contributed to his success as an author.
- He emphasizes the importance of humility, resilience, and focusing on the journey rather than the destination.
- His message is a reminder to live life to the fullest, embrace challenges, and make a positive impact on the world.