Mary's Book Review: Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven

William H. McRaven, a retired four-star admiral in the United States Navy, gave a commencement speech at the University of Texas in March 2014. In it, he shared ten life lessons from being a Navy Seal. Many Americans resonated with the speech, which soon became the inspiration for his best-selling book, Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… and Maybe the World. 

Admiral McRaven giving the University of Texas commencement speech in 2014

The book stresses the realities of life as we know it without sugarcoating it. McRaven encourages us to recognize life’s inevitable unfairness but not let it stop us from doing our job. He believes everyone must push forward, and start taking mindful steps to change your life, even if it’s as small as making your bed each morning.

I would give this book five stars, no questions asked. My values align with those discussed in the book, and I, like Admiral McRaven, do not sugarcoat things. I believe your day will reflect your mindset and that the more mindful steps you take to have a good day, the better it will be. If you have a terrible, half-assed mindset, your day will be half-assed. It’s as simple as that. Life doesn’t have to be easy and fair to be a good life. Keep the noise that works for you, and let the rest go. And don’t forget to make your bed!