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William McRaven’s Perspective

William McRaven is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who served as the ninth commander of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) from August 8, 2011 to August 28, 2014. From 2015 to 2018, he was the chancellor of The University of Texas System. McRaven was designated as the first director of the NATO Special Operations Forces Coordination Centre (NSCC). Here he was charged with enhancing the capabilities and inter-operability of all NATO Special Operations Forces.

Introduction

Make Your Bed is an outline of all the lessons that William McRaven learned during his distinguished career. The book begins by suggesting you wake up and make your bed. The following advice relates to human nature and how you can overcome adversity. Admiral McRaven’s original speech on this topic went viral with over 10 million views. He then packed all these popular ideas into one book.

StoryShot #1 – Wake Up and Do the Right Thing

If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. As a SEAL trainee, Billy’s first task of the day was to make his bed for inspection. Making the bed correctly was not an opportunity for praise. It demonstrated his discipline and his attention to detail. It was also a reminder that, no matter what happened that day, he had done something well. He had something to be proud of.

If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.

StoryShot #2 – Teamwork Is Key

If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle.

In SEAL training the value of teamwork is emphasized. The need to rely on someone else may mean life or death during combat. Everywhere McRaven went during SEAL training, he and his fellow classmates were required to carry a 10-foot rubber raft and paddle it in the ocean. On the days that McRaven was exhausted or sick, the other members picked up the slack. When they weren’t feeling a hundred percent, Billy returned the favor.

You need people in your life to help you through difficult times. You cannot paddle the boat alone.

StoryShot #3 – Always Look to the Future

If you want to change the world, make sure you are moving forward. It is easy to blame your struggles in life on some outside force. It is also easy to not try because you believe fate is against you. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ordinary people are all defined by how they deal with life’s unfairness. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, no matter how good you are, you will fail. Don’t complain if this happens. Stand tall, look to the future, and drive on.

StoryShot #4 – Determination Is More Important Than Talent

If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart. Determination and grit are always more important than talent. Seal training was a great equalizer. Nothing mattered but your will to succeed.

StoryShot #5 – Don’t Be Afraid of Failures

If you want to change the world, don’t be afraid of The Circus. The Circus in SEAL training involves lots of hours of training to become successful and for the performers to maximize their performance. Whenever McRaven or his swim buddy failed in an event, they would both be subjected to The Circus. This was additional training every afternoon at the end of the day. Two hours of calisthenics.

Every time Billy entered The Circus, he’d be even more charged the next day. This caused him to fail another event and go back to The Circus. As the circuses kept coming, their swims got better and easier. They were now stronger, faster, and more confident. In life, you will face a lot of circuses. You will pay for your failures. That said, if you persevere and let those failures teach you and strengthen you, you will be prepared to handle life’s toughest moments.

True leaders learn from failure. Use lessons learned and make the next tough decision.

u through life. Respect everyone. Know that life isn’t fair, and you will frequently fail. Take risks. Step up when times are tough. Face down the bullies. Lift up the downtrodden and never ever give up. If you do those things, you can change your life for the better and you can maybe even change the world.

Rating

We rate this book 4.1/5.

Our Score

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