Matthew's Reading Room

Admiral William H. McRaven is a retired U.S. Navy Admiral and former Navy SEAL, formerly commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. He held numerous command positions through a 37-year military career in the special operations world. He oversaw among America’s most momentous military operations, including the effort that resulted in the killing of Osama bin Laden. McRaven is also a best-selling author and he has made it big — like his motivational and leadership books “Make Your Bed,’’ which builds on his viral 2014 University of Texas commencement speech.

A new life-saving book like “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World” by Admiral William H. McRaven is a book that encourages people to realize key life tenets from his time in Navy SEAL training. This book highlights the significance of small actions in catalyzing big shifts; and it imparts important values to success, both personal and professional. These basic principles are:

• Start the day by finishing something. Every morning when you make your bed it sets a good tone for the rest of the day and gives that extra achievement.
• Find someone to help you paddling. Life’s best outcomes are rarely made alone. It’s crucial to support collaboration and build a network.
• Measure someone based on the size of his or her heart. The true value comes from the inside out. It’s less physical appearance or a family’s history of grit and resolve is less important than determination and toughness.
• Go Beyond Your Sugar Cookie Rank. It must be recognized that life is not fair. One is resilient in facing hard situations that nurtures people’s character.
• Do not be intimidated by the circus. Every human being is going to fail, and facing that head on can lead to betterment and betterment.
• Slide the obstacle down with your head first. Be daring and take risks. Success can in fact be achieved, however, sometimes in other cases, by unorthodox means.
• Do not withdraw from the sharks; don’t back away from sharks. Challenges, face fear, handle it and don’t let fright scare you and act cool in the face of intimidation.
• Accept the Darkness with Your Best Self. Through adversity, you can overcome those adversities through your courage and ambition.
• Begin singing when you are submerged in mud to the neck. Whatever situations you’ve hit, always remain hopeful no matter how hard it gets.
• Don’t give up: at all costs. One thing that makes it possible is that you shouldn’t give up. Do not compromise your goals, no matter how difficult the situation.

“Make Your Bed” by Admiral William H. McRaven confirmed much of what I had been taught growing up. This book’s clear-going approach to teaching deep life lessons fit me well as a psychotherapist and coach, which are the things that I believe in, and the principles I carry with me into my everyday life. These are just a few good points to ponder and reflect on:

The book’s counsel to begin every day with an action as simple and positive as making one’s bed, for example, is among the book’s most important lessons. That simple task can set the tone for a day of productivity and create a feeling of achievement. When I work with clients, I very often recommend adding some small, manageable items to their daily schedule to build on the momentum, feeling like they’re accomplishing something and feeling in control.

The value of having a strong support system is emphasized by McRaven’s advice on where to find someone who can help out with paddling. One of the biggest differences is that if you can have someone you can count on through heavy times – both in one’s personal development/work/therapy. I see the benefits of having nurturing relationships and networks in my practice with clients.

The book’s view of failure as helpful (and necessary) in life strikes a deep chord with me. McRaven’s journey reminds us that failure is not the end; it is the beginning. To the clients I have with fears of not getting to this great thing, failure is a part of finding strength and growing.
Another lesson I think McRaven took from his own book (which I think is also very important) is that in facing anxieties you learn to face and go through them. I help clients in my sessions to confront their fears in therapy and grow through letting go of their comfort zone. This has all but eliminated the question of whether the only way to make progress is by stepping into a risk.
The one effect that really stuck out is the overarching motif of not giving up and perseverance. Through their resilience and perseverance are the obstacles that life throws against them. My clientele, many of whom already have long-term issues requiring resilience, is another population with whom I believe this lesson is particularly relevant.

Begin with Small Wins. Start each morning with a small do to create a sense of optimism and inspire momentum.
Create a Support Network. Create relationships and support systems that provide resilience during challenging times.
Embrace failure and learn from it. Seek failures as an opportunity to learn or improve and grow from failure as an opportunity for personal growth and insight. Motivate people to accept their fears, their own challenges, and take risks.
Practice Persistence. Focus persistence. Develop resilience and resilience against adversity and not let major goals down.

In summary,

“Make Your Bed” by Admiral William H. McRaven is timeless advice and a step-by-step guide toward the life you want to lead today. Such teachings are very important for building up your own strength and your mental health. Because this is so rich and clear with McRaven’s insight these are foundational principles for anyone who would like to change their life, one tiny improvement at a time.

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