Imagine starting your day with a simple task that sets the tone for everything that follows. That’s what Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven is all about. It’s a simple yet effective advice from the author which he learnt during his Navy SEAL training, and it shows how little habits, like making your bed, can lead to big changes. This book is a simple guide to tackling life’s challenges with discipline and grit, starting with the small stuff. It’s the kind of wisdom that makes you think, “Hey, I can do this!”
What is the message in Make Your Bed
You know how your mom always tells you to make your bed first thing in the morning? Well, it turns out she might be onto something. It’s not just about keeping your room neat; there’s actually some serious wisdom behind this small act.
Let us imagine you’re a young soldier in army camp, surrounded by other folks trying to survive the toughest training of their lives. One of the first things they drill into you is how to make your bed with perfect corners and everything. The author of this story, who trained with the US SEAL team in Coronado, California, learned this lesson the hard way.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Why does making your bed even matter?” It’s just a bed, right? But here’s the deal – it’s not just about the bed. It’s about starting your day with a win. Making your bed is a super simple task, but getting it done right when you wake up sets the tone for the rest of your day. It’s like a little victory that kickstarts a chain reaction of productivity.
when you make your bed you’ve already accomplished something before having breakfast. That sense of accomplishment makes it easier to tackle the next task, and the one after that. Before you know it, you’re ticking off items on your to-do list like a boss. And all of it started with something as small as making your bed.
The importance of having a teammate by your side
The author had a near-death experience during a parachute jump. He was in the air, everything going fine, and then wham! Another jumper’s parachute smacked into him, causing his own parachute to get all tangled up with his leg. To make things worse, the force of the parachute’s deployment broke his pelvis and tore his stomach muscles from the bone. Ouch, right?
Recovering from something like that isn’t easy. It takes a lot of grit and determination, but even the toughest folks need a little help sometimes. For the author, that help came from his wife, Georgeann. She was there for him through thick and thin, helping him push through the pain and fight off the dark clouds of depression and self-pity.
You can’t do it all alone. Life’s tough, and everyone needs a support system – whether it’s family, friends, or a partner. Having someone who believes in you can give you the strength to keep going when things get rough.
So, next time you make your bed, remember, it’s not just about keeping things tidy. It’s about setting yourself up for success, one small step at a time. And when tough time in life arrives, don’t be afraid to get help from people who care about you.
Do not judge someone by their appearance and never expect life to be Fair
how many times have we all been guilty of doing just that? You know, like meeting someone and thinking, “Oh, they’re probably super boring,” only to realize later that they’re actually awesome and you end up being great friends! It just goes to show, you can’t really know someone just by looking at them. It’s all about what’s on the inside.
But hey, it swings both ways! You might see someone and think they’ve got it all together or they’re super trustworthy. But before you start putting all your faith in them, ask yourself, “Do I really know this person?”
Here’s a cool story from McRaven’s life. So, back when he was in college and dreaming about becoming a Navy SEAL, he popped into a recruitment center. And who does he see? This small, balding, kinda fragile-looking guy. Not exactly what you’d picture when you think of a tough SEAL, right? But that guy was Lieutenant Tom Norris, a war hero! He had been through hell and back in Vietnam, getting shot while saving others, and then continued to serve with the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team.
And speaking of life lessons, here’s another one: don’t expect life to play fair. McRaven learned this the hard way during his SEAL training with something called “sugar cookies.” No, not the yummy kind. This was a punishment where he had to dive into the cold Pacific, then roll around in the sand, and stay like that all day—even when he hadn’t done anything wrong! Sounds unfair, right? But that’s life for you.
The truth is, life doesn’t always make sense or play by the rules so don’t waste your time whining about it. Pick yourself up, dust off that sand, and keep moving forward. That’s how you turn life’s unfairness into your strength.
Take Risks and Learn from Failures
Nobody likes to hear the word “failure.” I mean, who does, right? It’s got this heavy vibe, all negative and something we just want to dodge. With the right mindset, it can actually be your secret weapon.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you’re going to fail. That’s just life. But here’s the deal: don’t let it knock you out. Instead, use that failure to get back up, stronger and more determined than before.
Take McRaven’s story, for example. When he was in SEAL training, his swim team was pretty much always last in every race. And guess what that got them? A spot in “The Circus.” Now, don’t be fooled by the name—it wasn’t some fun, big-top event. The Circus was this grueling endurance test, meant to push you to your limits. It was so tough that it made some guys just quit training altogether.
But here’s the twist: The Circus, as brutal as it was, actually made McRaven and his team better. It was like a crazy workout that toughened them up. When the big final test came—a super tough swim—they didn’t just pass, they finished first! All those failures? They turned out to be the best training they could’ve asked for. Their setbacks made them stronger than anyone else out there.
And here’s another nugget of wisdom: to really succeed, sometimes you’ve gotta take risks. Big risks. Playing it safe might keep you comfortable, but it doesn’t get you very far. Taking risks, on the other hand, brings a certain thrill—it makes life interesting. If you let fear and worry decide everything for you, you’ll just stay stuck.
Think back to 2004. McRaven found himself in a tight spot. There was an enemy compound in Iraq, holding three hostages. The clock was ticking, and the bad guys weren’t planning to stick around. The best shot at saving the hostages was a bold move—a daytime raid on the compound. Not exactly the ideal scenario. Daylight means you’re more visible, and the compound was barely big enough for the three helicopters they needed. Super risky.
But McRaven went for it. He had to put aside all those fears—fear of failure, fear of danger. And guess what? It worked. The team pulled off the raid, and they rescued the hostages. Taking that big risk paid off.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Don’t let failure scare you. Learn from it, grow from it, and use it to build your strength. And don’t be afraid to take risks. Sure, they’re scary, but they also come with big rewards.
Be Brave, Keep Going, and Be Your Best When Life Gets Tough
Look, life isn’t always a cakewalk. You have to face challenges in life, facing opponents, manipulative people or financial difficulties.
There will be times when it seems easier to just back down, to avoid the tough stuff. But trust me, that’s not the move. We all have fears—every single one of us. The trick is to not let those fears stand in your way. Be brave, keep pushing forward, and stay focused on your goals.
Joining the Navy SEALs isn’t a joke; it’s tough! And it takes courage to get through it all. For example, McRaven, a SEAL trainee, had a wild night where he and his swim buddy had to do a four-mile swim in the pitch-black ocean. Now, swimming in the dark is scary enough, but throw in some hammerhead sharks, leopard sharks, and even great white sharks? That’s next-level terrifying! But McRaven couldn’t let the fear of sharks stop him. He knew he had to complete his training, so he faced his fear and kept going.
Courage isn’t just about handling fear; it’s also about standing strong in the face of tragedy. Maybe you lose someone close to you, or you have to battle a tough illness. These moments are brutal, no doubt, but they’re also when you need to be at your best.
McRaven has seen his share of dark times. In battle, he’s witnessed too many of his brothers in arms lose their lives. These are the toughest moments, but they’re also when he’s seen incredible acts of strength and resilience. After one Navy Special Operator died in Iraq, his twin brother stood tall, offering comfort and strength to those grieving. It was a powerful reminder to always be there for others and never quit, no matter how hard it gets.
We all have those moments when we’re at our breaking point, ready to give up. Then, out of nowhere, a friend steps in with some encouraging words, and suddenly, you’re ready to keep going. These moments show just how much one person can inspire hope and drive us forward.
We should all aim to be that person—the one who brings light into someone’s life, helps them see a way through, and gives them the push they need to keep going.
Even if you don’t know much about the Navy SEALs, you’ve probably heard of Hell Week. It’s this insane seven-day endurance test that really separates those who have what it takes from those who don’t. Imagine sitting in freezing cold mud, completely covered. It’s brutal.
During McRaven’s Hell Week, one guy got up, ready to quit. But then, something amazing happened. One of the other men started singing. Then another joined in. And another. Pretty soon, they were all singing together. That one guy’s simple act was enough to give hope to the guy who wanted to quit, and he turned around and rejoined the group.
And here’s the final lesson: Don’t give up!
Life’s a beautiful, messy adventure. It’s got its highs and lows, but those happy moments wouldn’t be as sweet without the tough ones. So, when life gets rough, don’t wallow in self-pity or blame others. Take charge. Life is what you make it, and it will only be as good as the effort you put in. Give it your all, and you’ll live with no regrets.
Take Adam Bates, for example. He was a soldier in Afghanistan who was badly injured by a landmine. When McRaven saw him in the hospital, Adam was in bad shape—burns all over, tubes everywhere, and both legs gone. And yet, Adam was using sign language to say he’d be okay. That’s the kind of strength and resilience McRaven admires so much. Despite facing unimaginable hardship, these soldiers refuse to give in to self-pity.
Being a SEAL means never giving up. And if Adam Bates can find the strength to keep going after all he’s been through, then so can you!
Is Make Your Bed worth reading ?
No matter who you are, there are some serious life lessons to learn from a Navy SEAL veteran. These guys have been through the toughest challenges, faced their worst fears, and come out stronger. They’ve seen heroism up close, lived through loss, and have a unique perspective on what it takes to make the most of life. So, grab a copy of the book and start reading.
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