Small Actions, Big Impact: What "Make Your Bed" Teaches About Life

 

When you first look at it, Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven sounds too basic, simple or even boring to be of any importance. Like you might be like, “A book about making your bed? Really?” But it's that simpleness that makes it impactful.

This book is based on the author’s 2014 commencement speech at the University of Texas and expands on 10 life lessons he learned during Navy SEAL training and decades of military service. The core idea is quite practical, refreshing even. The idea is that small actions which are taken consistently can create the momentum needed for big change.

One of the 10 lessons that is repeated many times throughout the book, the title lesson (making your bed every morning), isn’t really just about neat sheets. It’s about discipline. A sense of accomplishment can be achieved by completing a small task first thing in the day. Say if your day goes terrible, at least you come home to something done right. That tiny win can matter more than you think.

All throughout the book, the author shares experiences/memories/stories from SEAL training that are both intense, humbling, and usually surprisingly human. He talks about failure, teamwork, resilience, and standing up for what’s right, even when it’s uncomfortable to. One of the messages was that, you cannot succeed alone. Whether you’re in the military or everyday life, having people that you trust and who support you makes quite the difference. 

What also makes this book compelling is the accessibility of it. Like you don’t need to be interested in the military to connect with its lessons. The advice can apply to anyone, students, teachers, leaders, professionals, and anyone who’s trying to navigate setbacks and uncertainty. The author doesn’t sugarcoat hardship, rather he speaks very optimistically about our abilities to endure it.

Ultimately, this book is a reminder that success is not just built on grand gestures, it’s built on showing up, doing small things well, and refusing to quit when things get hard. Sometimes, changing your life can really just start with something as simple as making your bed.

- Jiya