The term “make your bed” sounds simple, but the power behind the book is much stronger than the title suggests. If you want to change the world—start by changing your life, and it begins with making your bed.

When I started reading the book, I realized that the author, Admiral William H. McRaven, also gave a commencement speech at the University of Texas. I looked it up—and I must confirm that both his speech and the book are equally great.

The commencement speech is an inspiring message—not only for the UT students graduating that year, but for anyone who listens to it.

Admiral McRaven addresses the University of Texas at Austin Class of 2014:

From the Speech	From the Book

1. Make your bed

Chapter 1: Start Your Day with a Task Completed

2. Find someone to help you paddle

Chapter 2: You Can’t Go It Alone

3. Measure a person by the size of their heart, not by the size of their flippers

Chapter 3: Only the Size of Your Heart Matters

4. Get over being a “sugar cookie” and keep moving forward

Chapter 4: Life’s Not Fair—Drive On!

5. Don’t be afraid of the circuses

Chapter 5: Failure Can Make You Stronger

6. Slide down the obstacles headfirst

Chapter 6: You Must Dare Greatly

7. Don’t back down from the sharks

Chapter 7: Stand Up to the Bullies

8. Be your best in the darkest moments

Chapter 8: Rise to the Occasion

9. Start singing when you are up to your neck in mud

Chapter 9: Give People Hope

10. Don’t ever, ever ring the bell

Chapter 10: Never, Ever Quit!

While the book goes deeper into each of these lessons—many drawn from his SEAL training and life experiences—it also touches on stories of loss, courage, and perseverance. I must admit, I shed quite a few tears, especially during the final chapters.

Every page and every story, even the painful ones, showed how people didn’t give up on their dreams or lives, no matter the circumstances. So, I asked myself: Why should I?

I never knew SEAL training could be this tough. It changed my perspective and gave me great admiration for those who go through it. The losses of people during their years of service are truly beyond words.

This book is a powerful example of what resilience really means. The author is a resilient person himself, and so are the people he honors in the book. I love how he speaks of others with deep respect and gratitude—it shows how much he values the people around him and the life he’s lived.

Each chapter is a lesson Admiral McRaven learned during SEAL training, but fortunately, those lessons helped him not just during training, but also throughout his 37 years of service—and helped others around him too.

At the end of the book, the full commencement speech is also included—so I can always revisit this “short version” whenever I need a reminder.

It’s not a long book, but the 10 lessons inside will stay with me for a very long time.

Thank you.