Make Your Bed
Life lessons from Navy Seal training for leading a successful and fulfilling life.
Summary of 10 Key Points
Key Points
- Starting the day with a task completed
- You can’t go it alone
- Only the size of your heart matters
- Get over being a sugar cookie
- Don’t be afraid of the Circus
- Slide down the obstacle head first
- Don’t back down from the sharks
- Be your very best in your darkest moments
- Start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud
- Don’t ever, ever ring the bell
key point 1 of 10
Starting the day with a task completed
Starting the day with a task completed, as per the perspective presented in the book, is a powerful way to kickstart the day. It creates a sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning, which then sets the tone for the rest of the day. Completing a task as mundane and simple as making your bed infuses you with a sense of responsibility and orderliness. It’s a habit that, once adopted, can have profound impacts on your mood, productivity, and outlook towards challenges…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 10
You can’t go it alone
The assertion that ‘you can’t go it alone’ is embodied throughout the narrative. It firmly asserts the importance of working together and seeking help from others. It explains how every significant accomplishment is a result of the combined effort of a team, not just one individual. The success of a mission is attributed to the collective effort of all team members who work synchronously to achieve a common goal. Each member plays a role, a cog in the machine, and the absence or weakness of one can affect the whole system. In other words, no man is an island, and no one can truly succeed alone…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 10
Only the size of your heart matters
In the book, the concept of ‘only the size of your heart matters’ is illustrated through various stories and anecdotes. It suggests that the physical stature or inherent abilities of an individual are not the ultimate deciding factors of success. Instead, it is the courage, resilience, and determination personified through the ‘size of one’s heart’ that are pivotal. The author emphasizes that it is one’s willingness to endure, persevere, and continue the struggle that eventually leads to achieving the goals…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 10
Get over being a sugar cookie
The concept of ‘getting over being a sugar cookie’ is all about resilience and overcoming failure. In the challenging training regimen of the navy seal, there is a tradition of ‘sugar cookie’ punishment. Cadets who fail to perform up to the expectations are made to completely wet themselves and then roll on the beach, covering their bodies with sand. The uncomfortable sand sticks to their bodies making them look like sugar-coated cookies. These ‘sugar cookies’ are not allowed to clean themselves for the rest of the day. Experiencing this discomfort, they continue their grueling training schedule, facing ridicule from peers…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 10
Don’t be afraid of the Circus
In the chapters of the book focused on the concept of ‘the Circus’, the perspective is clear: do not be afraid of the Circus. The Circus is a gruelling punishment workout that trainees in the Navy Seal training program, notably known as BUD/S, may go through if they fail to meet the standard requirements. The term ‘Circus’ was used metaphorically to describe a tough situation that seems almost unbearable. However, it is believed that enduring this rigorous process is crucial for mental and physical growth…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 10
Slide down the obstacle head first
In the book, the concept of ‘sliding down the obstacle head first’ is introduced in the context of overcoming difficulties and challenges. The author uses a metaphor of a rigorous training exercise that he underwent during his Navy SEAL training. There was a particular obstacle, a 30-foot tower with a rope hanging down, which the trainees had to slide down. It was a test of courage and a challenge to their standard way of thinking. While most trainees would slide down the rope feet first, which was considered safer and more conventional, the author chose to go head first. This was seen as a risky and unconventional approach, but it turned out to be faster and more efficient…Read&Listen More
key point 7 of 10
Don’t back down from the sharks
In ‘Don’t back down from the sharks’, the narrative emphasizes the importance of confronting fears head-on, using the metaphor of a shark attack. The author recounts an incident during his Navy SEAL training, where trainees had to swim through waters populated with great white sharks. The lesson embedded in this account is not just about physical audacity, but also about psychological strength. The point is made that fear and intimidation can often be more crippling than the actual threat or obstacle itself. By confronting our proverbial ‘sharks’, we can overcome our fears, build resilience, and become more capable of facing life’s challenges…Read&Listen More
key point 8 of 10
Be your very best in your darkest moments
In the darkest moments of life, it is crucial to harness the strength within oneself and strive to be the best. This tenet speaks to the power of endurance, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity. Just as a soldier on a battleground, we are faced with tumultuous situations in life where giving up seems like the easiest option. However, it is in these trying times that we should embrace the challenge, exert our inner strength, and push ourselves to the limit. Being the best in the darkest moments means not succumbing to negativity but rather, surfacing as a victor amidst chaos…Read&Listen More
key point 9 of 10
Start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud
The perspective of ‘start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud’ is that in our darkest moments, when we’re faced with the most challenging circumstances, we should find the strength and courage to lift our spirits and persevere. When you’re metaphorically up to your neck in mud, meaning you’re in a difficult situation that seems hopeless or when things are at their worst, the concept suggests you to ‘start singing’. This doesn’t literally mean to break out into song, but rather to find something positive or inspiring to focus on that can help you push through the hardship…Read&Listen More
key point 10 of 10
Don’t ever, ever ring the bell
In Admiral William H. McRaven’s book, the phrase ‘Don’t ever, ever ring the bell’ is used to signify the concept of never giving up, no matter how difficult the situation. This perspective originates from McRaven’s experience in Navy SEAL training, where a brass bell was hung in the center of the compound. If a trainee found the course too tough and wanted to quit, all they had to do was ring the bell. However, ringing the bell was considered a mark of failure and giving up. McRaven learned through this experience the importance of persevering in the face of adversity and encourages readers to apply the same principle to their life’s challenges…Read&Listen More