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

by William H. McRaven

Overview

Based on a Navy SEAL's inspiring graduation speech, this #1 New York Times bestseller of powerful life 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; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to 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 who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. 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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781455570249
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	04/04/2017
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	2,354
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy Retired) is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Make Your Bed and the New York Times bestseller Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations. In his thirty-seven years as a Navy SEAL, he commanded at every level. As a Four-Star Admiral, his final assignment was as Commander of all U.S. Special Operations Forces. After retiring from the Navy, he served as the Chancellor of the University of Texas System from 2015 to 2018. He now lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Georgeann.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Chapter 1 Start Your Day with a Task Completed 1

Chapter 2 You Can't Go It Alone 11

Chapter 3 Only the Size of Your Heart Matters 23

Chapter 4 Life's Not Fair-Drive On! 35

Chapter 5 Failure Can Make You Stronger 43

Chapter 6 You Must Dare Greatly 55

Chapter 7 Stand Up to the Bullies 65

Chapter 8 Rise to the Occasion 73

Chapter 9 Give People Hope 83

Chapter 10 Never, Ever Quit! 95

The University of Texas Commencement Speech 105

Acknowledgments 127

About the Author 129

Editorial 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


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"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


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"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

From the Publisher