Make Your Bed

1. Start Your Day with a Task Completed: Make Your Bed

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

Small accomplishments matter. Making your bed every morning may seem trivial, but it sets the tone for the day. It gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment, encouraging you to tackle other tasks. This simple act reinforces the importance of discipline and attention to detail.

Ripple effect of small actions. By completing this small task, you create momentum for larger achievements. It's a metaphor for life: if you can't do the little things right, you'll struggle with bigger challenges. Even on tough days, coming home to a made bed reminds you that you're capable of making positive changes.

Benefits of making your bed:

• Starts the day with a sense of accomplishment
• Builds discipline and attention to detail
• Creates momentum for tackling larger tasks
• Provides a comforting constant in an unpredictable world

2. Teamwork is Essential: Find Someone to Help You Paddle

You can't change the world alone—you will need some help—and to truly get from your starting point to your destination takes friends, colleagues, the goodwill of strangers, and a strong coxswain to guide them.

Collaboration is key. In SEAL training, boat crews must work together to navigate challenging surf. This principle applies to all aspects of life. No significant achievement is accomplished alone; success requires the support and cooperation of others.

Diverse skills strengthen teams. Each team member brings unique strengths and perspectives. By working together and leveraging these differences, teams can overcome obstacles that would be insurmountable for individuals. Effective teamwork requires clear communication, mutual respect, and a shared goal.

Elements of successful teamwork:

• Synchronized efforts towards a common goal
• Diverse skills and perspectives
• Clear communication and leadership
• Mutual support and respect
• Resilience in the face of challenges

3. Judge People by Their Heart, Not Appearance

SEAL training was a great equalizer. Nothing mattered but your will to succeed; not your color, not your ethnic background, not your education, and not your social status.

Character trumps appearance. In SEAL training, the "munchkin crew" – a diverse group of smaller men – consistently outperformed larger, seemingly more capable teams. This illustrates that determination, grit, and teamwork are more important than physical appearance or background.

Diversity strengthens teams. The success of the diverse "munchkin crew" demonstrates that teams benefit from a variety of perspectives and experiences. By focusing on individuals' character, work ethic, and contributions rather than superficial characteristics, we can build stronger, more effective teams and communities.

Qualities that truly matter:

• Determination and perseverance
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills
• Integrity and strong work ethic
• Diversity of thought and experience

4. Life Isn't Fair: Overcome Challenges and Move Forward

Because, Mr. Mac, life isn't fair and the sooner you learn that the better off you will be.

Embrace adversity. Life often presents unexpected challenges and unfair situations. Rather than complaining or giving up, successful individuals accept this reality and focus on overcoming obstacles. This mindset builds resilience and adaptability.

Learn from setbacks. Unfair situations, like the "sugar cookie" punishment in SEAL training, teach valuable lessons about perseverance and mental toughness. By reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, we can develop the strength to face future adversities with confidence.

Strategies for dealing with unfairness:

• Accept that life isn't always fair
• Focus on what you can control
• Learn from setbacks and failures
• Develop mental toughness through adversity
• Help others facing similar challenges

5. Failure Can Make You Stronger: Embrace The Circus

You can't avoid The Circus. At some point we all make the list. Don't be afraid of The Circus.

Growth through discomfort. The Circus, an intense physical training session for SEAL trainees who failed to meet standards, exemplifies how failure can lead to improvement. By pushing through these difficult experiences, individuals become stronger and more resilient.

Reframe failure as opportunity. Instead of fearing failure, embrace it as a chance to learn and grow. The author's experience of being fired early in his career ultimately led to greater success and leadership opportunities. By persevering through setbacks, we develop the skills and character needed to achieve our goals.

Lessons from embracing failure:

• Failure is a natural part of growth and learning
• Persistence through difficulty builds strength and resilience
• Setbacks often lead to unexpected opportunities
• Learning from mistakes improves future performance
• Overcoming failure builds confidence and self-esteem

6. Take Calculated Risks to Achieve Greatness

Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential.

Courage to take risks. The author's experience of overcoming his fear to slide headfirst down the Slide for Life obstacle illustrates the importance of pushing beyond comfort zones. Taking calculated risks is essential for personal growth and achieving significant goals.

Balance risk and reward. While taking risks is necessary for success, it's important to assess potential outcomes. The author describes how special operations forces take calculated risks, balancing the potential for success against possible dangers. This approach can be applied to all areas of life.

Benefits of taking calculated risks:

• Personal growth and expanded capabilities
• Increased confidence and self-awareness
• Discovery of new opportunities
• Overcoming limitations and fears
• Achieving goals that seemed impossible

7. Stand Up to Bullies and Face Your Fears

Bullies are all the same; whether they are in the school yard, in the workplace, or ruling a country through terror. They thrive on fear and intimidation.

Courage conquers fear. The author's experiences with Saddam Hussein and shark-infested waters during SEAL training illustrate the importance of standing up to intimidation. By facing our fears, we diminish their power over us and inspire others to do the same.

Persistence defeats bullies. Bullies, whether individuals or oppressive regimes, rely on others' fear and inaction. By consistently standing up to intimidation and refusing to back down, we can overcome bullying behavior and create positive change in our communities and the world.

Strategies for confronting bullies and fears:

• Recognize that bullies often prey on perceived weakness
• Build self-confidence through preparation and practice
• Stand firm in your convictions and values
• Seek support from others when facing intimidation
• Remember that courage is contagious – your actions inspire others

8. Be Your Best in the Darkest Moments

It's cold and dark out there. It will be darker under the ship. So dark that you can get disoriented. So dark that if you get separated from your swim buddy, he will not be able to find you.

Resilience in adversity. The challenging night dive described by the author symbolizes the dark moments we all face in life. It's during these difficult times that our character is truly tested and revealed. By maintaining focus and determination in the face of adversity, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Preparation meets opportunity. Being your best in dark moments requires preparation and mental fortitude. By consistently pushing ourselves to excel, even in routine tasks, we build the strength and skills needed to navigate life's most challenging situations.

Ways to excel in difficult times:

• Maintain focus on your goals and values
• Draw strength from past successes and overcome
  ings
• Support and lean on others when needed
• Stay calm and think clearly under pressure
• Remember that challenging times are temporary

9. Inspire Others and Give People Hope

Hope is the most powerful force in the universe. With hope you can inspire nations to greatness. With hope you can raise up the downtrodden. With hope you can ease the pain of unbearable loss.

Power of positivity. The story of the SEAL trainees singing in the mud illustrates how one person's positive attitude can inspire an entire group. By maintaining hope and a can-do spirit in difficult situations, we can lift the morale of those around us and overcome seemingly impossible challenges.

Empathy and shared experiences. The author's account of General John Kelly comforting families who lost loved ones in combat demonstrates the profound impact of shared experiences and genuine empathy. By connecting with others on a deep level and offering hope, we can help people through their darkest moments and inspire resilience.

Ways to inspire hope in others:

• Lead by example with a positive attitude
• Share your own experiences of overcoming adversity
• Offer genuine empathy and support
• Highlight the potential for positive change
• Encourage and celebrate small victories

10. Never, Ever Give Up

If you fill your days with pity, sorrowful for the way you have been treated, bemoaning your lot in life, blaming your circumstances on someone or something else, then life will be long and hard. If, on the other hand, you refuse to give up on your dreams, stand tall and strong against the odds—then life will be what you make of it—and you can make it great.

Perseverance is key. The story of Ranger Adam Bates, who maintained a positive attitude despite losing both legs, exemplifies the power of never giving up. By refusing to quit, even in the face of extreme adversity, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and inspire others.

Attitude determines outcome. Our mindset plays a crucial role in how we face life's challenges. By choosing to focus on possibilities rather than limitations, and by refusing to give in to self-pity or blame, we can create positive change in our lives and the world around us.

Strategies for never giving up:

• Maintain a positive, solution-focused mindset
• Set small, achievable goals to build momentum
• Learn from setbacks and adjust your approach
• Surround yourself with supportive, encouraging people
• Remember that persistence often leads to unexpected opportunities and success

Last updated: August 1, 2024