Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven

Small, disciplined actions and a strong moral foundation can create meaningful, lasting change in life and leadership. If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.

Key themes:

1. Start Your Day with a Task Completed: Making your bed reinforces discipline and pride in small wins.
2. You Can’t do It Alone: Success requires strong relationships and teamwork.
3. Only the Size of Your Heart Matters: Physical strength is secondary to determination and courage.
4. Get Over Being a Sugar Cookie: Life is unfair; accept it and keep going.
5. Don’t Be Afraid of The Circus: Repeated failure is a path to improvement.
6. Slide Down the Obstacle Head First: Take risks and dare to innovate.
7. Don’t Back Down from the Sharks: Stand your ground in the face of fear.
8. Be Your Very Best in the Darkest Moments: Character is tested under pressure.
9. Start Singing When You’re Up to Your Neck in Mud: Optimism can be contagious and empowering.
10. Don’t Ever, Ever Ring the Bell: Never quit, no matter how tough it gets.

Takeaway: Life’s challenges are overcome by courage, resilience, humility, and small acts of discipline.