Make Your Bed – Admiral William H. McRaven

If you’re looking for a short and inspiring read that can help you kickstart your day and set the tone for success, “Make Your Bed” by Admiral William H. McRaven is a great choice.

Admiral McRaven is a retired Navy SEAL who served for 37 years and led the team that captured Osama bin Laden. In this book, he shares the lessons he learned during his military career and how they can be applied to everyday life.

Here are some key takeaways from the book:

• Start your day by making your bed: This simple task can give you a sense of accomplishment and set the tone for a productive day. As Admiral McRaven puts it, “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another.”
  
• Embrace failure: In the book, Admiral McRaven shares the story of his SEAL training, where he and his fellow trainees were pushed to their limits and often failed. However, he argues that failure is an essential part of growth and learning, and that we should embrace it rather than fear it.
  
• Never give up: Another lesson from Admiral McRaven’s SEAL training is the importance of perseverance. He shares stories of trainees who were on the verge of quitting but pushed through the pain and exhaustion to achieve their goals. He argues that we all have the strength to overcome adversity if we keep pushing forward.

Here are some quotes from the book to give you a taste of Admiral McRaven’s no-nonsense, motivational style:

• “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another.”
  
• “Life is not fair—get used to it.”
  
• “The power of one person—Washington, Lincoln, King, Mandela and even a young girl from Pakistan, Malala—one person can change the world by giving people hope.”

In summary, “Make Your Bed” is a quick and inspiring read that can help you cultivate discipline, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone looking to improve your life, Admiral McRaven’s lessons can help you achieve your goals and make a difference in the world.