MAKE YOUR BED BY ADMIRAL WILLIAM H. McRAVEN

Key Concepts of the Book

• Start the Day with a Task Completed: Making your bed is the first "win" of the day. It reinforces the idea that the little things in life matter and provides a psychological foundation of order for whatever chaos follows.
• You Can't Go It Alone: SEAL training teaches that no one can paddle the boatt by themselves. Success in life requires a "team" of friends, family, and colleagues to help you through the rough water.
• Measure a Person by the Size of Their Heart: McRaven emphasizes that "flippers" and "pedigree" don't matter; true grit, determination, and character are the only metrics that determine who will survive the "Hell Weeks" of life.
• Get Over Being a Sugar Cookie: In SEAL training, a "sugar cookie" is a soldier forced to roll in the sand after failing a task. The lesson is that life is often unfair and you will fail despite your best efforts—the key is to keep moving forward without complaining.
• Don't Be Afraid of the "Circus": When you fail a physical test, you are sent to the "Circus"—two hours of extra grueling exercise. While exhausting, this extra work makes you stronger. Embracing your failures is the only way to build elite resilience.
• Slide Down the Obstacle Headfirst: To beat the clock and overcome your fears, you must sometimes take bold, calculated risks rather than playing it safe.
• Don't Back Down from the Sharks: Whether in the ocean or in the office, there will always be "sharks" (bullies or critics). McRaven teaches that showing fear only emboldens them; you must stand your ground and fight back.
• Be Your Best in the Darkest Moments: When facing tragedy or deep loss, a leader must reach down deep and be at their most composed, providing a beacon of strength for others.
• Start Singing When You're Up to Your Neck in Mud: When things are at their absolute worst, hope is the most powerful weapon. One person singing in the mud can inspire an entire group to persevere.
• Don't Ever, Ever Ring the Bell: In SEAL training, "ringing the bell" means quitting. The ultimate rule for a successful life is simple: no matter how hard it gets, never give up.