…over the last few months as the weather grew colder and the days got shorter I found myself having a hard time accomplishing all of the daily goals I set for myself the night before. Then I watched a video which gave me a blue print on how to begin each day on the right foot. Believe it or not it all starts with Making Your Bed!
U.S. Navy Admiral William H. McRaven’s Speech
While perusing YouTube as I sometimes do I came across a video of the 2014 University of Texas commencement speech delivered by U.S. Navy Admiral William H. McRaven. Taking inspiration from the university’s slogan, “What starts here changes the world,” he shared the ten principles he learned 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.
The Ten Principles
The ten principles Admiral McRaven highlights are:
- Don’t go it alone
- Grit and determination trump talent
- Life is not fair; get over it
- Don’t fear failure; embrace it
- Take calculated risks
- Stand up to bullies
- Rise to the occasion when life gets hard
- Give people hope when times are tough
- Never quit
But the first and most important principle is start off each day by Making Your Bed!
Start Each Day By Making Your Bed
Admiral McRaven points out that it is important to start your day with a completed task. Life can be hard and filled with anxious moments and requires a sense of of structure.
Starting each day with a small accomplishment such as making your bed will give you the desire and motivation to tackle the day’s larger tasks.
A morning that starts with a made bed demonstrated discipline, shows attention to detail and is a small accomplishment to set up many larger ones. Also if everything that happens to you after that is rough, there is nothing better to provide hope for the next day than coming home to a made bed!
Interested In Learning More?
If you are interested in seeing Admiral McRaven’s full speech you can by clicking here. You can also purchase his book titled “Make Your Bed” by clicking here. I hope you reading and always remember to Make Your Bed!