Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven is a powerful and insightful book that offers practical advice and life lessons learned from the author’s experiences as a Navy SEAL. The book is based on Admiral McRaven’s commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin, which went viral due to its straightforward and impactful messages. Below is an extensive exploration of the 21 lessons discussed in the book:
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1. Start Your Day with a Task Completed
- Make Your Bed: The simple act of making your bed every morning sets a positive tone for the day. It gives you a sense of accomplishment right from the start and encourages you to complete more tasks throughout the day. This habit instills discipline, and attention to detail, and reminds you that even the smallest actions can make a big difference.
2. You Can’t Go It Alone
- Rely on Your Team: McRaven emphasizes the importance of teamwork and the need to rely on others to achieve your goals. Just like in Navy SEAL training, where success is dependent on the collective efforts of the team, in life, we need to collaborate, support, and uplift each other to overcome challenges and succeed.
3. Only the Size of Your Heart Matters
- Don’t Judge by Appearances: This lesson teaches that physical attributes or appearances are not as important as the size of your heart, your determination, and your willingness to work hard. In Navy SEAL training, some of the most successful candidates were those who had the most heart, not necessarily those who were the strongest or fastest.
4. Get Over Being a Sugar Cookie
- Accept That Life Is Not Always Fair: McRaven describes the “sugar cookie” punishment in SEAL training, where trainees had to roll in the sand and remain wet and cold all day for no apparent reason. This lesson teaches that life is not always fair, and sometimes, despite your best efforts, you will face setbacks. The key is to accept these challenges and keep moving forward without letting them defeat you.
5. Don’t Be Afraid of the Circus
- Embrace Failure as a Path to Success: In SEAL training, “the circus” was a series of additional exercises given to those who failed to meet the required standards. Instead of seeing failure as a defeat, McRaven encourages embracing it as an opportunity to improve. Repeated failure can build resilience, strength, and a determination to succeed.
6. Slide Down the Obstacle Head First
- Take Risks and Be Bold: This lesson is about taking calculated risks and being bold in your decisions. During training, the obstacle course had a challenging slide, and the fastest way to complete it was to go head first, which was risky. Similarly, in life, sometimes you need to take bold actions and embrace risks to achieve success.
7. Don’t Back Down from the Sharks
- Face Your Fears: In the book, McRaven recounts a training exercise where SEALs had to swim through shark-infested waters. The lesson here is not to back down in the face of fear. Whether the “sharks” in your life are real or metaphorical, confronting them head-on with courage is the only way to overcome them.
8. Be Your Very Best in the Darkest Moments
- Persevere Through Adversity: Life will inevitably present you with dark and challenging moments. McRaven encourages readers to be their best selves even when circumstances are at their worst. This lesson is about maintaining composure, determination, and strength when facing life’s toughest challenges.
9. Start Singing When You’re Up to Your Neck in Mud
- Maintain Hope and Positivity: During a grueling part of SEAL training known as “the mud,” trainees were required to endure extreme cold and exhaustion. One trainee started singing, lifting the spirits of the entire group. This lesson teaches the power of hope, optimism, and a positive attitude, even in the most difficult situations.
10. Don’t Ever, Ever Ring the Bell
- Never Give Up: In SEAL training, ringing the bell was a way to quit. McRaven’s final lesson is a powerful reminder never to give up, no matter how tough things get. Perseverance is key to overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Quitting should never be an option when you’re pursuing your goals and dreams.
11. Understand the Power of Small Actions
- Little Things Make a Big Difference: The book emphasizes that small, consistent actions can have a significant impact on your life and the lives of others. Whether it’s making your bed or helping someone in need, these small gestures accumulate and lead to greater change.
12. Find Your Why
- Purpose Drives Success: McRaven suggests that understanding your purpose—the “why” behind your actions—is essential for long-term motivation and success. Knowing your purpose provides clarity, direction, and the strength to keep going, even when the going gets tough.
13. Stay Focused on the Mission
- Prioritize What Matters: In both military and civilian life, distractions can lead you off course. McRaven advises staying focused on your mission, whatever it may be. By prioritizing your goals and cutting out distractions, you increase your chances of success.
14. Embrace the Suck
- Find Value in Hardship: SEALs often use the phrase “embrace the suck” to describe the need to accept and endure tough conditions. This lesson teaches that by embracing hardships rather than resisting them, you can find meaning, build character, and grow stronger.
15. Lead with Integrity
- Character Is Key: Leadership is a recurring theme in McRaven’s teachings, and he stresses the importance of leading with integrity. Trust, honesty, and moral courage are the foundations of effective leadership, both in the military and in everyday life.
16. Learn from Others
- Mentorship and Learning: McRaven highlights the importance of learning from others, particularly those who have more experience. Seeking guidance and mentorship is crucial for personal and professional growth.
17. Adapt to Change
- Flexibility Is Essential: In both military operations and life, conditions can change rapidly. McRaven advises being adaptable and flexible, ready to adjust your plans as circumstances evolve. This ability to pivot is crucial for overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
18. Practice Humility
- Stay Grounded: Despite his many accomplishments, McRaven emphasizes the importance of humility. Recognizing that you don’t have all the answers and that others can contribute valuable insights is key to personal growth and effective teamwork.
19. Sacrifice for the Greater Good
- Service and Sacrifice: One of the core values McRaven discusses is the willingness to sacrifice personal comfort and gain for the greater good. This lesson applies to both military service and civilian life, where serving others and contributing to a larger cause brings fulfillment and purpose.
20. Live with Honor
- Uphold Your Principles: McRaven stresses the importance of living honorably, adhering to your principles even when it’s difficult. Honor, he suggests, is not just about how others see you, but how you see yourself.
21. Cultivate Resilience
- Bounce Back Stronger: Finally, McRaven discusses the importance of resilience—the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt, and keep moving forward. Life’s challenges are inevitable, but resilience allows you to overcome them and continue pursuing your goals.
Conclusion
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven is a powerful guide to personal and professional success. The lessons in the book are drawn from the author’s extensive military experience and are applicable to anyone seeking to improve their life and make a positive impact on the world. By focusing on discipline, resilience, teamwork, and integrity, McRaven provides a blueprint for achieving success and fulfillment. These lessons are not only practical but also deeply inspirational, reminding us that even the smallest actions can lead to significant change (Amazon).
