Ever wondered what it takes to be a Navy SEAL? What lessons from SEAL training can be applied to everyday life? Would you be intrigued to know how the disciplines of the military can shape your approach to life's challenges and successes? Dive into the captivating journey of a Navy SEAL veteran and discover the transformative power of resilience, teamwork, and unwavering determination.

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life And Maybe the World

Want to change the world? Start by making your bed. As a young Navy SEAL, author McRaven learned the importance of beginning the day with a completed task in the barracks of Coronado, California. 

Making his bed was a simple task, yet it exhibited discipline and attention to detail. It reminded him that no matter what obstacles the day presented, he had already accomplished something. 

Even when he was injured and bedridden after a parachute accident, making his bed was his small victory over the injury. It sent a powerful message: he was ready to face the day and move forward with his life. 

McRaven learned the value of teamwork early in his SEAL training, where a ten-foot rubber raft taught them that no one can go through training or combat alone. This lesson became glaringly apparent when another parachute accident left him broken and bedridden. 

Self-pity tried to creep in, but his wife, Georgeann, wouldn't allow it. She reminded him of his strength, refusing to let him wallow in self-pity. His friends, his boss, they all rallied around him, proving that success depends on others. 

No one is immune to life's tragic moments, but with a team of good people, anyone could reach their destination. Make friends, find a partner, and remember that success depends on others.

How Does Making Your Bed Set the Stage for Greater Accomplishments in Life According to Navy SEAL Training?

In the recounting of a memorable day in his SEAL training, author McRaven vividly describes the scene on Coronado beach as he prepared for a two-mile swim. The day's events were highlighted by the presence of a young seaman recruit, a man of small stature, juxtaposed against towering instructors and formidable waves. 

Despite implications from one instructor that he lacked the qualities of a frogman, the recruit's determination was unmistakable. With a tightened jaw and strengthened resolve, he declared, "I won't quit!" and went on to demonstrate his grit by finishing near the front of the class. This experience underscored the lesson that size and physical strength pale in comparison to the power of heart and determination.

Reflecting on a prior encounter with Lieutenant Tom Norris, a highly decorated SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient, McRaven emphasizes the lesson learned: the size of one's heart is paramount. He recalls initially mistaking Norris for a frail civilian, only to discover his heroism, reinforcing the importance of inner strength.

In his SEAL training, McRaven gained insight into life's inherent unfairness through experiences like the "sugar cookie" practice, where instructors imposed arbitrary punishments, such as rolling in sand after jumping into the sea. Despite the randomness and discomfort, the underlying message was clear—life isn't fair.

Following his training, McRaven encountered Lieutenant Moki Martin, a SEAL veteran and exceptional athlete who had been tragically paralyzed in a biking accident. Despite this adversity, Moki maintained an unwavering spirit, never complaining as he pursued new passions, including painting, fatherhood, and founding a triathlon event.

Size of the Heart: Lessons of Resilience from Navy SEAL Training

Ever experienced failure? You're not alone. As part of SEAL training, McRaven and his swim buddy, Marc, were often relegated to "The Circus" - an extra two-hour session of relentless physical training designed for those who fell behind. Initially, it seemed like a punishment, an exhausting cycle of failure. 

However, they soon saw it as an opportunity to become stronger, faster, and more confident in the water. Ultimately, they outperformed the rest, finishing first in the final open ocean swim, a testament to their perseverance and the strength gained from their failures.

A few years later, in 1983, McRaven's career as a Navy SEAL hit a roadblock. He was fired for trying to change the squadron's ways - a move met with resistance. His reputation was tarnished, and he faced whispers of inadequacy. 

But instead of quitting, he chose to weather the storm, using his failure as motivation to work harder and outperform everyone in his platoon. Eventually, he regained respect, commanded a SEAL Team, and led troops in combat zones. He stumbled often but also had hundreds of successes. It was clear: past failures had strengthened him, making him a better leader.

In SEAL training, McRaven learned an important lesson: to overcome anxieties and trust abilities. This lesson was learned on the obstacle course, where he initially played it safe, inching his way along a rope obstacle. After a disappointing time, he decided to take a risk, sliding down the rope headfirst, resulting in a personal best.

Fast forward to 2004, in Iraq, where McRaven approved a daring daylight raid to rescue three hostages held by Al Qaeda. The risky mission involved landing three Black Hawk helicopters inside a small compound. Despite the high stakes, elite Army aviators pulled it off, and the hostages were rescued. He realized then that calculated risk is typical of special operations forces, and it's what sets them apart.

Inspired by the British Special Air Service's motto, "Who Dares Wins," McRaven believes that without daring greatly, without pushing limits, one will never know true potential. Life is full of struggles and potential failures, but those who dare greatly, who aren't afraid of hardship or embarrassment, will ultimately achieve their potential.

Can Embracing Failure and Daring Greatly Lead to Unprecedented Success?

In the icy, shark-infested waters off San Clemente Island, Ensign Marc Thomas and McRaven, the author, plunged into a four-mile night swim. The specter of great white sharks lurking in the depths was a chilling reality. Yet, their ambition to become SEALs, fueled by courage, was stronger than any fear. Courage, the remarkable quality, is the antidote to bullies, tyrants, and despots. It enables you to accomplish any goal and defy evil. 

This courage was evident when courageous American soldiers stood up to the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, the former president of Iraq. Despite his attempt to intimidate even from behind bars, soldiers made sure he understood his reign of terror was over. His power, arrogance, and oppressiveness had ended. A year later, Iraqis hanged him for his crimes. The lesson here is clear: bullies thrive on fear and intimidation, but if you summon your courage, they lose their power.

In SEAL training, another night dive in San Diego Bay tested McRaven's courage. With poor visibility and a potentially deadly diving rig, they had to swim two thousand meters to place practice mines on a ship and return unnoticed. The foggy darkness was disorienting, but the mission had to be completed. The instructor's words, urging them to rise above their fears and doubts, have stayed with McRaven for the next thirty years.

Years later, during a Ramp Ceremony at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, McRaven saw the power of courage in the darkest moments. As they sent off the remains of a fallen warrior, he noticed how soldiers, families, and whole towns came together to honor their sacrifice despite the pain of loss. Even in the face of death, courage enables us to be our best.

In life, we will all confront a dark moment. It could be the loss of a loved one or another crushing blow. In these moments, dig deep within you and summon the courage to be your very best.

Summoning Courage: From SEAL Training to Confronting Tyrants

In the heart of the infamous Tijuana mudflats, during the SEAL training's Hell Week, morale was declining. The most challenging segment of the training, the mudflats, were testing their willpower. 

The instructors offered comfort and relief in exchange for just five people quitting. Just as one student began to give in, a voice arose from the mud. A tired, raspy voice started singing, inspiring others to join. This act of unity defied the instructor and instilled hope in the group. This taught them a powerful lesson: the power of one person to unite a group, to inspire others, and to provide hope.

In contrast, during a visit to Dover Air Force Base, author McRaven met grieving families of Navy SEALs who lost their lives in Afghanistan. McRaven saw the power of hope in Marine Lieutenant General John Kelly. He had also lost a son in combat, hence his words resonated with the grieving families. His empathetic words gave them hope and showed them that it's possible to endure the pain and loss.

On the first day of SEAL training, the instructor emphasized the pain and difficulty that lay ahead, and introduced the bell that any student could ring to quit. Six months later, only 33 out of 150 students graduated. Those who quit, McRaven presumed, would regret it for the rest of their lives.

During McRaven's career, he met Adam Bates in a combat hospital in Afghanistan. A 19-year-old Army Ranger who had just lost both his legs in his first combat mission. Despite his suffering, Bates signed "I will be okay" and proved it by standing tall on his prosthetic legs a year later. Bates is a testament to the human spirit, refusing to quit and rising above his circumstances.

Can One Person's Hope and Determination Truly Change the World?

The book outlines ten simple yet powerful life lessons McRaven learned during his Navy SEAL training and career. Each lesson is illustrated with personal anecdotes and insights, emphasizing the importance of discipline, resilience, teamwork, and perseverance.

First, start your day with a task completed, no matter how small. It sets a positive tone for the day. Every morning in SEAL training, McRaven was required to make his bed to perfection. This simple act instilled a sense of pride and achievement that carried him through the day. 

Second, you can’t change the world alone, so find someone to help you. During the challenging surf zone training, McRaven learned the power of collective effort. 

Third, measure a person by their heart, not by their physical size or background. McRaven recounted stories of SEALs from diverse backgrounds and physical statures who proved their courage and strength through their character and determination.

Fourth, accept that life isn't always fair. McRaven's "sugar cookie" experience taught him that life isn't always fair.

Fifth, don’t fear failure. In SEAL training, failing to meet event standards meant you were sent to a "Circus" – a gruelling two-hour extra workout. But those who endured the Circuses became stronger, teaching us that failure can build resilience.

Sixth, sometimes you have to take risks and do things differently to succeed. McRaven's anecdote of a daring daylight raid in Iraq emphasizes the importance of calculated risks. 

Seventh, don’t back down in the face of threats. In SEAL training, McRaven was taught to stand his ground against sharks, a lesson that applies to life's metaphorical sharks too.

Eighth, be your best in the darkest moments. McRaven highlighted how SEALs were trained to perform their best even in the most challenging and uncertain situations, such as during nighttime operations or under intense pressure.

Ninth, one person can inspire hope in others. McRaven witnessed the power of hope in Marine Lieutenant General John Kelly, who lost a son in combat but still managed to inspire hope in grieving families. 

Tenth, never quit. McRaven recounted the story of Adam Bates, a double amputee who rose above his circumstances, refusing to quit. 

McRaven's advice is both practical and profound, encouraging readers to take small steps that can lead to significant personal and social transformation.

Home

Trending Books

News & Mags

Relax

Curated

Collections

Key Ideas & Notes

Insights

Highlights & Bookmarks

Listening History

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life And Maybe the World

Admiral William H. McRaven

#1

How Does Making Your Bed Set the Stage for Greater Accomplishments in Life According to Navy SEAL Training?

#2

Size of the Heart: Lessons of Resilience from Navy SEAL Training

#3

Can Embracing Failure and Daring Greatly Lead to Unprecedented Success?

#4

Summoning Courage: From SEAL Training to Confronting Tyrants

#5

Can One Person's Hope and Determination Truly Change the World?

#6

Final Recap

About Author