Barnes & NobleMake Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven

Name: Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven
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Based on a Navy SEAL's inspiring graduation speech, this #1 New York Times bestseller of powerful life lessons "should be read by every leader in America" (Wall Street Journal). If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better. Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments. "Powerful." -USA Today "Full of captivating personal anecdotes from inside the national security vault." -Washington Post "Superb, smart, and succinct." -Forbes.

Product Features
- Author - William H. McRaven
- Publisher - Grand Central Publishing
- Publication date - 04-04-2017
- Page count - 144
- Hardcover
- Adult
- Personal Growth and Development
- Product dimensions - 5.1 W x 7.1 H x 0.8 D
- ISBN-13 - 9781455570249
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Summary

Below are my notes from Littler Books. I hope you find them helpful. 1. Start your day by completing a simple task, like making your bed. It sets a tone of discipline and accomplishment, and creates momentum for larger goals. a. The author, a Four-Star Admiral and Commander of U.S. Special Operations Forces, recounts that in basic SEAL training, the first duty of the day was to make the bed to precise standards. b. “It was my first task of the day, and doing it right was important. It demonstrated my discipline. It showed my attention to detail, and at the end of the day it would be a reminder that I had done something well, something to be proud of, no matter how small the task.” c. After a serious parachute accident left the author bedridden, the first thing he did when he was able to stand was to make his hospital bed. "It was my way of showing that I had conquered the injury and was moving forward with my life." d. “… sometimes the simple act of making your bed can give you the lift you need to start your day and provide you the satisfaction to end it right." 2. You can't go at it alone. Success in life requires relying on others during difficult times. a. In SEAL training, trainees carried a ten-foot rubber raft everywhere. This exercise taught them the value of teamwork, as seven men had to work together to paddle and carry the boat. b. After the author's parachute accident, he felt self-pity, but his wife provided "the kind of tough love that [he] needed.” His friends and his commanding officer also provided crucial support that saved his career. c. "Like the small rubber boat we had in basic SEAL training, it takes a team of good people to get you to your destination in life. You cannot paddle the boat alone." 3. Only the size of your heart matters. Your success is determined by your determination and courage, not by your physical stature, background, or other external factors. a. The author recalls visiting a SEAL training facility and internally judging a "slightly built, almost frail" civilian, doubting he could ever become a SEAL. The man was revealed to be Lieutenant Tom Norris, a Medal of Honor recipient and one of the toughest SEALs in history. Norris had nearly been dismissed from training for being too small and weak, but he proved everyone wrong. 4. Life is inherently unfair, and you will face situations where your best efforts go unrewarded. The key is to accept this reality without complaint and move forward. a. In SEAL training, instructors would find arbitrary flaws during uniform inspections. The punishment was to run into the ocean and then roll in the sand until completely covered, becoming a "sugar cookie." This tested a trainee's patience because it was "completely indiscriminate. There was no rhyme or reason." b. The author's instructor, Moki Martin, told the author the reason for the punishment: "Mr. Mac, life isn't fair and the sooner you learn that the better off you will be." c. Years later, Martin was paralyzed in a bicycle accident. Despite this, the author states, "In all those years I never once heard him complain about his misfortune in life. Never once did I hear him ask, ‘Why me?'” Martin went on to become an accomplished painter and founded a triathlon. d. "Sometimes no matter how hard you try, no matter how good you are, you still end up as a sugar cookie. Don't complain. Don't blame it on your misfortune. Stand tall, look to the future, and drive on!" 5. Failure is an inevitable part of life. Instead of letting it defeat you, use the experience to become stronger. a. In SEAL training, “The Circus” refers to a punishment of two additional hours of calisthenics for underperforming trainees. The author and his swim buddy frequently did The Circus due to their poor swim times. However, "The Circus, which had started as a punishment for failure, was making us stronger, faster, and more confident in the water." They ultimately became the first pair to finish the final five-mile swim. b. Later in his career, the author was fired from a command. His reputation was damaged, and thought about quitting. However, “I used my previous failure as motivation to outwork, outhustle, and outperform everyone in the platoon. I sometimes fell short of being the best, but I never fell short of giving it my best. In time, I regained the respect of my men. Several years later I was selected to command a SEAL Team of my own. Eventually I would go on to command all the SEALs on the West Coast." 6. To achieve full potential, you must overcome your fears and take calculated risks. a. On a SEAL obstacle course, the author initially used a slow but safe technique. An instructor told him, "That obstacle course is going to beat you every time unless you start taking some risks." The author eventually pushed past his fear and went down the rope headfirst, a faster but riskier method, and achieved a personal best. b. In Iraq, a hostage rescue mission required a high-risk daytime raid where three Black Hawk helicopters had to land inside a small, walled compound with only inches to spare. The risk paid off, and all the hostages were saved. 7. Stand up to the bullies. a. During a night swim in shark-infested waters, trainees were taught that if a shark approaches, they must "stand your ground. Do not swim away. Do not act afraid." b. After capturing Saddam Hussein, the author saw him intimidate the new Iraqi government leaders, who were still fearful of him. The author then isolated Saddam, making it clear "He was no longer important. He could no longer intimidate those around him." c. "Bullies are all the same; whether they are in the school yard, in the workplace, or ruling a country through terror. They thrive on fear and intimidation. Bullies gain their strength through the timid and faint of heart... If you don't find the courage to stand your ground, they will strike." 8. Rise to the occasion. True character is revealed under extreme adversity. a. The author witnessed families, military units, and entire towns coming together to be their best during tragic times. For example, an air crew flew the day after a fatal crash because their fallen brothers would have wanted them to. b. "In that dark moment, reach deep inside yourself and be your very best." 9. Give people hope. It's the most powerful force for overcoming adversity. a. After a helicopter crash killed thirty-eight special operators, the author struggled to console the grieving families. He then saw Lieutenant General John Kelly, whose own son had been killed in combat, speak to the families. b. “Hope is the most powerful force in the universe. With hope you can inspire nations to greatness. With hope you can raise up the downtrodden. With hope you can ease the pain of unbearable loss. Sometimes all it takes is one person to make a difference.” 10. Never, ever quit. Quitting seems like an easy way out of temporary pain, but it leads to a lifetime of regret. a. In a hospital in Afghanistan, the author met a 19 year old ranger, Adam Bates, who lost his legs on his first combat mission. He couldn't speak but used sign language. He sensed the author's pity, and signed, "I—will—be—OK." A year later, the author saw Bates standing on prosthetic legs, laughing and challenging others to a pull-up contest.

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