Picture it: your bed, a chaotic landscape of tangled limbs and rogue pillows, mirroring the state of your life. Enter Admiral William McRaven’s “Make Your Bed,” a book that’s anything but your average fluff-and-fold self-help manual. Think less feng shui, more forging a battle cry in the crucible of Navy SEAL training. This ain’t about smoothing out your duvet; it’s about scaling metaphorical Mount Everest, one messy pillowcase at a time.
McRaven throws down ten life lessons that sting with truth and resonate with anyone who’s ever wrestled with life’s tangled sheets.
Lesson 1: Start small, conquer big.
Making your bed is a tiny triumph, but it sends a ripple of accomplishment through your day. It whispers, “I can do this,” a mantra that empowers you to tackle seemingly insurmountable obstacles. You know, like that presentation that feels like climbing Everest in stilettos. One sheet at a time, you’ll conquer it.
If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.
Lesson 2: Teamwork makes the dream (and boat) work.
No SEAL goes solo. They rely on their squad, their cheerleaders with flippers, their “band of brothers” who navigate the choppy waters together. This translates to life as well. Find your tribe, those who’ll high-five your victories and hold your paddle when the current gets rough. Remember, even the mightiest battleship needs an anchor.
If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle.
Lesson 3: Size doesn’t matter, heart does.
Forget judging people by their bank accounts or biceps. McRaven reminds us that true strength lies in character, resilience, and the size of your (figurative) heart. A kind word from the smallest person can change the world, so spread kindness like confetti. Remember, even the tiniest pebble can create the biggest ripples.
If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle. If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart, not the size of their flippers.
Lesson 4: Life is a sugar cookie crumble (and that’s okay).
Sometimes, no matter how hard you bake, your life cookie crumbles. You bomb a presentation, trip in public, or stub your toe on the existential dread of the universe. It happens. The key is to dust yourself off, lick the icing sugar tears, and keep baking. Remember, even the most perfectly decorated cookies sometimes fall apart.
If you want to change the world, get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving.
Lesson 5: Embrace the circus (of failure).
Life is a three-ring spectacle of awkward moments, missed opportunities, and flat tires. Don’t let fear of failure paralyze you. Embrace the stumbles, learn from the clowns, and remember, even the most graceful tightrope walkers wobble sometimes. So stumble gracefully, laugh at your mishaps, and remember, falling down is just another way of flying (sort of).
If you want to change the world, don’t be afraid of the Circuses.
Lesson 6: Sometimes, headfirst is best.
Take risks, challenge the status quo, and don’t be afraid to slide headfirst down the metaphorical rope of life. You might surprise yourself, break a record, and land with a grin on your face (and maybe a few scrapes). Remember, playing it safe won’t get you to the trapeze, so swing boldly, even if it means a few bumps on the way.
If you want to change the world, sometimes you have to slide down the obstacle headfirst.
Lesson 7: Sharks are inevitable (but you can swim with them).
The world is full of metaphorical sharks: bullies, doubters, and negativity. You can’t avoid them, but you can learn to navigate their waters. Stand your ground, be your best self, and remember, sometimes the best way to disarm a shark is with a confident smile and a well-placed tuna sandwich. Just like dolphins, swim with the sharks, but don’t become one.
If you want to change the world, don’t back down from the sharks.
Lesson 8: Be your lighthouse in the storm.
When darkness descends, don’t let it extinguish your inner light. Stay calm, draw on your inner strength, and remember, even the faintest glimmer can guide others through the roughest seas. Be the beacon in the storm, the lighthouse in the fog, the reminder that even when the waves crash, hope keeps us afloat.
If you want to change the world, you must be your very best in the darkest moment.
Lesson 9: Sing in the mud (it helps).
Hope is a powerful weapon. When you’re neck-deep in life’s muck, find a reason to sing. Share your light, inspire others, and remember, even a muddy chorus can change the world. So hum a tune, even if it’s off-key, because sometimes the only way to rise above the mud is to sing through it.
If you want to change the world, start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud.
Lesson 10: Never ring the bell (unless it’s for tea).
Life throws challenges, but quitting is not an option. Push through the discomfort, persevere through the pain, and remember, the bell is always there, but the satisfaction of overcoming your fears is far sweeter than any escape. So keep climbing, keep fighting, keep singing in the mud, because the view from the top of the mountain is worth
If you want to change the world, don’t ever, ever ring the bell.
Last modified on 2024-01-01