Name: Make Your Bed
Rating: 4.1 (505 reviews)
Author: William H. McRaven

What’s in it for me? Change your life by learning the lessons of a retired Navy SEAL admiral.

Sometimes, the simplest of things can be the most effective. And that’s what these blinks are all about. It may seem obvious, but even something as small as making your bed in the morning – every morning – can hugely affect your quality of life.

As a Navy SEAL, William H. McRaven fought in both Afghanistan and Iraq. While there, and during his years of training beforehand, he collected an impressive array of life lessons. From the necessity of accepting failure and the importance of never, ever giving up, Admiral McRaven’s advice is sure to inspire.

In these blinks, you’ll learn

why you should never, in any situation, judge a book by its cover;
what a “sugar cookie” is (and why it’s not as nice as it sounds); and
how the simple act of singing saved his comrade’s military career.

Start the day off right by making your bed, and never underestimate the importance of a teammate.

If you’ve ever seen a movie where young soldiers were struggling through boot camp, you may have noticed their bunk beds and how orderly and neat they’re kept.

It may seem like a small and insignificant detail but a made bed can get your day started on the right foot.

The author and his fellow cadets were taught the proper way to make a bed in Coronado, California, as part of the basic training for being a member of the US SEAL team. And they also learned when to make their bed: first thing after waking up.

If someone failed to follow the bed-making code, they would perform the “sugar cookie” ritual, which involved diving into the Pacific Ocean and then immediately rolling in the hot sand on the beach.

Now, you may be thinking, “What’s the big deal about making your bed?” Well, it may be an easy task, but accomplishing any task first thing in the morning is the best and most productive way to start your day.

It gets the ball rolling, so to speak: by finishing one job, you’ll find it easier to begin checking off the other tasks on your list. And before you know it, you’ll be feeling great and productive – all thanks to making your bed.

Another life lesson from the military is the importance of teammates in your life.

The author learned this the hard way, after a near-fatal parachute jump. Falling through the air, McRaven was struck by another jumper’s parachute, which caused his own parachute to become entangled with his leg. The force of his parachute’s deployment broke his pelvis and tore his stomach muscles from the bone.

During his months of recovery, the author came to learn how important it is to have someone to help you carry on. If not for his wife, Georgeann, McRaven would likely have succumbed to depression and self-pity.

Everyone experiences a time in life when he needs the support of someone who believes in him. You can’t make it through life on your own.

Be courageous in order to keep pursuing your goals, and when life gets tough, be the best you can be.

Life can throw a lot of challenges your way. You may be confronted by bullies or false friends. Or, if you’re a Navy SEAL, maybe shark-infested waters are between you and what you want to accomplish.

The time may come when it feels easier to shy away rather than rise to the challenge, but this would be a mistake. Everyone has fears. You can’t let them stand in your way. Be courageous and stay determined to reach your goals.

Kernaussagen in Make Your Bed