-William H. McRaven
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.
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Great words of encouragement and life lessons for us all.
This is a well presented set of standard life advice, but it is a great example of why some advice is always repeated — because it gets results. Make your bed. Find someone to help you paddle. Measure a person by the size of their heart. Keep moving forward. Don’t be afraid of the circuses. Sometimes you have to slide head first down the obstacle. Don’t back down from sharks. Be your very best in the darkest moment. Sing when you are up to your neck in mud. Don’t ever ring the bell and quit.
Heidi Y.