Make Your Bed

Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World

By: William H. McRaven

Narrated by: William H. McRaven

Based on a Navy SEAL's inspiring graduation speech, this #1 New York Times bestseller is full of of powerful, life-changing lessons.

"Should be read by every leader in America" —Wall Street Journal

If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.

On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life—lessons that would help change themselves—and the world—for the better.

Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments.

"Powerful." —USA Today

"Full of captivating personal anecdotes from inside the national security vault." —Washington Post

"Superb, smart, and succinct." —Forbes

Critic reviews

"Should be read by every leader in America... [MAKE YOUR BED] is a book to inspire your children and grandchildren to become everything that they can. It is a book to discuss with your executive leadership team as a spur to meeting shared goals. Most of all, it is a book that will leave you with tears in your eyes."—Wall Street Journal

"Full of captivating personal anecdotes from inside the national security vault...McRaven's lessons, like his commencement speech, extend far beyond his bed-making. He devotes the 10-chapter book to lessons about moving beyond failure, standing up to bullies and giving others hope."—Washington Post

"McRaven...has taken the genesis of what he learned during SEAL training and his nearly four decades in Navy Special Operations into a thin, powerful book."—USA Today

"Exquisitely simple...superb, smart, and succinct ideas."—Forbes

Watch the YouTube video

There is a YouTube video of Admiral William H. McRaven giving a commencement speech at the University of Texas. It is about following ten principles that he learned from Navy Seal training to change himself and to change the world. This book adds depth to the ten principles with stories from his years in military service. Watch the video first. If you enjoy that, you'll probably enjoy the book. Military analogies for life lessons might not appeal to everyone.

You'll love it a lot if you were born in the U.S.

I enjoyed all of the ideas presented by Admiral McRaven, however, at some points I was completely lost in therms of context, since the book uses a lot important moments that happened on America to make some of his points. However, that's on me.
The advises he gives are amazing and the pacing was very good throughout.

Motivating great book. I recommend readers to read

Very motivating, great book. I recommend readers to read this book. Short but very interesting.

bed

it helped me realize that things and knife name like it's not always fair and if you make your bed in the morning you had a really crappy day you can come home and see that you made your bed and make your bed better

Life changer!!

Great quick read. He gets right to the point every time. I would highly recommended this book.