Make Your Bed ‘Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World’ by Admiral William H. McRaven is a short yet powerful book that offers valuable life lessons based on the author’s experiences as a Navy SEAL and military leader. Many readers would have come across this information through his speech at University of Texas at Austin in 2014. Though the speech was a decade old, the content is still relevant to all of us.
The book’s central theme revolves around the idea that small, seemingly mundane tasks, such as making your bed every morning, can have a great impact on your life. He mentions about starting each day with a sense of accomplishment and tackle larger challenges with confidence and resilience.
What does the book cover?
The book has ten key lessons that the author learned during his Navy SEAL training, each accompanied by compelling anecdotes and practical advice. From embracing adversity to taking risks and not giving up in a tough situation or during failure, the author has shared his thoughts into actionable insights that are accessible to readers from all walks of life.
One of the strengths of this book ‘Make Your Bed is its simplicity in the writing which is very clear and straightforward, making it easy for readers to absorb the book’s messages and apply them to their own lives. Additionally, the anecdotes shared by the author add authenticity to the lessons, showing how these lessons can be useful in everyday life for the readers.
The advice offered by the author in the book may seem familiar but as it comes from Navy Seal, the advice seem more believable and important.
Interesting aspects from the book (chosen randomly)
The book is filled with valuable lessons drawn from his experiences as a Navy SEAL. Here are three of the top learnings from the book:
- Start with a small task: The author emphasises the importance of starting each day with a sense of accomplishment by making your bed. This seemingly small task sets a positive tone for the day and instils discipline and order in your life. It reinforces the idea that even the simplest actions can have an impact on your mindset and productivity.
- Embrace adversity: Throughout the book, the author highlights the importance of embracing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth. Drawing on his experiences as a Navy SEAL, he emphasises the value of perseverance, resilience, and determination in overcoming obstacles. He compares military training to everyday life, which helps him explain important ideas like discipline, not giving up, and leading others in a way that anyone can understand.
- Take responsibility: The author highlights the importance of taking ownership of your actions and decisions. He emphasises the need to accept accountability for both successes and failures, rather than blaming external factors. By adopting a mindset of personal responsibility, individuals can empower themselves to take control of their lives and achieve their goals.
What’s in it for me?
I enjoyed reading it. The book is a quick read while on the move, with no jargon but written with simplicity. I have picked up few learnings from the book and have applied in my daily life. Try it, definitely makes a difference…
My recommendation
‘Make Your Bed’ is a motivational and uplifting book that encourages readers to cultivate habits of success and resilience. Whether you’re facing a challenge or struggling to achieve your goals, the author offers insights which act as a valuable guide and inspiration to help you navigate life’s obstacles and pursue excellence.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
Sarika has previously had stints with with Weber Shandwick as Vice President - Client Experience, Adfactors PR, Text100 (now Archetype) and Perfect Relations. With keen observation and analytical skills, Sarika has successfully led PR campaigns for key brands across multiple sectors by leveraging her strength and expertise in the communications arena.
She is a post graduate in communications from Xavier Institute of Communications. She is based in Mumbai and in her free time loves to spend time with her daughters, play with her dogs, read and travel.
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