Little Things That Can Change Your Life and The World
Jul 16, 2018
Book #15: Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven
❤ Book #15 recap from my 50 Books 2018 Challenge!
❤ You can read about my initial challenge progress, and check out all the books I’m reading this year here. I got off track, but I’m back at it now!
Make Your Bed
Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World, by Admiral William H. McRaven
We change the world by changing ourselves.
Use the life lessons in this book to transform and improve yourself… if we all do this, we can undoubtedly change the world for the better. It starts by looking at ourselves first.
This one is short — but oh is it sweet and packed full of extraordinary advice from an impressive human being.
Admiral William H. McRaven has done some seriously wild, legendary, difficult, mind blowing shit through his Navy SEAL career… I’d take advice from this man any day of the week.
“Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential.
Without pushing your limits, without occasionally sliding down the rope headfirst, without daring greatly, you will never know what is truly possible in your life.”
I had fallen off the book reading challenge track for over a month after I moved to London, and my brother recommended me this book to get me back in the swings of things. It worked!
It was an excellent read, but an easy one and it didn’t take long to get through. Make Your Bed was just what I needed to snap me out of it, motivate my homesick ass, and get back into my reading routine.
I doubted how much advice Admiral William H. McRaven could pack into this short book, and I was wrong. There are ten chapters, one life lesson learned from his time in Navy SEAL training in each, and damn do they all pack a punch and hit home!
From why you should always make your bed, to getting over being a sugar cookie (my favorite), and why you should never, ever ring the bell — I was immersed in each life lesson and feel I am a better human being for reading this book.
“It is easy to blame your lot in life on some outside force, to stop trying because you believe fate is against you.
It is easy to think that where you were raised, how your parents treated you, or what school you went to is all that determines your future.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The common people and the great men and women are all defined by how they deal with life’s unfairness: Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, Malala Yousafzai, and — Moki Martin.
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!”
I’d highly recommend Make Your Bed as a great inspirational birthday or graduation gift! Also a beautiful gift to get yourself when times are tough— I know I’ll be referencing this book for years to come.
I admire and respect Admiral McRaven, thank him for his service, and am grateful that he shared his stories and experiences with the world.
“At some point we will all confront a dark moment in life.
If not the passing of a loved one, then something else that crushes your spirit and leaves you wondering about your future.
In that dark moment, reach deep inside yourself and be your very best.”
Disclosure: This book link is an affiliate link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
