Admiral William H. McRaven’s Make Your Bed compiles his commencement speech at the University of Texas and expands on its ten life lessons learned during Navy SEAL training. The book details these lessons—ranging from the importance of completing small tasks to facing adversity and never giving up—through personal anecdotes and reflections on leadership. Each chapter explores a specific lesson, illustrating its relevance through McRaven’s experiences in SEAL training and his later military career. He emphasizes the power of perseverance, teamwork, and courage in overcoming challenges and making a positive impact on the world. The overarching message is that even small actions can have significant consequences, and a commitment to personal growth can lead to meaningful change.

1. Why does the book emphasize the importance of making your bed every morning? Making your bed is presented as a foundational task that sets a positive tone for the day. Completing this small task first thing provides a sense of accomplishment, encourages further productivity, and reinforces the importance of attention to detail. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly insignificant actions contribute to a larger sense of order and discipline. Furthermore, the made bed acts as an anchor, offering comfort and a sense of control at the end of a potentially difficult day.
2. What is the significance of teamwork and finding someone to “help you paddle,” as described in the book? The book highlights the critical role of teamwork in overcoming challenges. Like a boat crew working together in a rubber raft, no one can succeed alone. It emphasizes the importance of relying on others, supporting them in their times of need, and accepting their help when needed. The author’s personal experience of a serious injury and subsequent recovery underscored that everyone needs a strong support system, and that success often depends on a network of friends, colleagues, and loved ones who provide assistance and encouragement.
3. What is the meaning of “measure a person by the size of their heart” and how does it relate to the author’s SEAL training experience? The phrase emphasizes the importance of character and determination over superficial qualities like physical size, background, or socioeconomic status. The author recounts encounters with a physically small but incredibly courageous sailor, and with a past Medal of Honor recipient who was initially doubted. These stories highlight that true strength comes from inner fortitude, resilience, and a commitment to excellence, not from one’s outward appearance or physical attributes.
4. What is the concept of “being a sugar cookie” and what lesson does it teach? Becoming a “sugar cookie” involves being wet, sandy, and uncomfortable due to a seemingly arbitrary punishment during training. The key lesson is that life is not always fair, and sometimes, despite our best efforts and preparation, we will encounter setbacks or unpleasant situations. Instead of dwelling on these injustices, one should accept them, learn from them, and continue to move forward with resilience and a positive attitude.
5. What is “The Circus” in the context of SEAL training, and why should it not be feared? “The Circus” refers to extra, grueling physical training assigned to those who failed to meet the day’s standards. While it was painful and meant more work and fatigue, the author points out that those who endured “The Circus” became stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to handle future challenges. The lesson here is that failures and setbacks are inevitable, and that they can actually strengthen us and help us learn if we approach them with perseverance instead of fear.
6. What does it mean to “slide down the obstacle headfirst” and how does this apply to life? This phrase urges us to take calculated risks and embrace boldness in our approach to life. It encourages a willingness to push boundaries and step outside one’s comfort zone in order to achieve greater success or accomplish challenging goals. The author’s account of the parachute mishap further illustrates the idea that growth and discovery sometimes necessitate daring, even when it feels risky.
7. What does the book mean by “don’t back down from the sharks,” and how does this apply to life and the concept of bullies? This phrase is a metaphor for standing up to the “bullies” in life. Whether they are literal bullies, metaphorical “sharks” in the workplace, or oppressive forces in the world, the core message is to not be intimidated by fear, and to never back down. Like facing a shark, one must be courageous and confront these challenges to protect oneself and others. Courage enables one to push back against those who seek to control or oppress and not be paralyzed by fear, and it also allows individuals to overcome challenges and achieve goals.
8. What does the book mean by “never, ever ring the bell” and how does it relate to perseverance? “Ringing the bell” is a symbolic act of quitting during SEAL training. The lesson here is to never give up, no matter how hard the challenges. The author uses the story of a soldier who lost his legs but refused to give up to demonstrate that even in the face of extreme adversity, it’s crucial to persevere. It highlights the belief that life is full of difficulties, but refusing to quit, maintaining a positive outlook, and striving for greatness will make life more fulfilling and meaningful.

Make Your Bed: A Study Guide

Quiz

1. What is the first task of the day in SEAL training, and why is it important?
2. Describe the “sugar cookie” punishment, and what is its purpose within SEAL training?
3. What does the author mean by “You Can’t Go It Alone,” and how is this lesson reinforced in the SEALs?
4. What incident led the author to the realization that “only the size of your heart matters?”
5. What is “The Circus” in SEAL training, and what is its purpose?
6. Explain the meaning of the British SAS motto, “Who Dares Wins” and why the author believes it’s relevant to life.
7. What does the author suggest one should do when confronted by “sharks” in life, whether literal or metaphorical?
8. Describe the underwater ship attack training exercise, and what lesson it teaches about being one’s best?
9. What is the significance of the mudflats during Hell Week, and what did the trainees do to overcome this challenge?
10. What is the significance of the bell in SEAL training and what lesson does the bell represent?

Quiz Answer Key

1. The first task is making one’s bed. It’s important because it instills discipline, attention to detail, and a sense of accomplishment that sets the tone for the day.
2. A “sugar cookie” is being punished by having to roll in the sand after being wet. It serves to teach the trainees that life isn’t fair and that sometimes, despite one’s best efforts, you will still be punished.
3. The author stresses the importance of teamwork and reliance on others, exemplified by how SEALs work together in a boat crew. The author experienced the need for others when he suffered a serious injury during a parachute jump.
4. The author realized “only the size of your heart matters” when he met Lieutenant Tom Norris, a small, seemingly frail man, who turned out to be one of the toughest and most decorated SEALs. The size of Norris’s heart and courage outweighed his physical stature.
5. “The Circus” is a form of punishment in which trainees are forced to endure two hours of extra calisthenics. The purpose of the Circus is to wear down the weak and build the strength of the resilient through added pain and physical stress.
6. The motto “Who Dares Wins,” emphasizes the need to take risks and push boundaries despite the fear of failure. The author believes this motto applies to life, suggesting that those who avoid challenges will not reach their potential.
7. When confronted by “sharks,” the author advises not to back down or show fear. One should stand their ground and be willing to fight, as doing so will often make the aggressor back off.
8. The underwater ship attack involves a pitch-black dive under a ship, which is disorienting and can be deadly. It teaches the importance of being one’s best in the darkest, most challenging moments.
9. The mudflats represent the most challenging part of Hell Week. To overcome this challenge the trainees sang together as a way to inspire hope and find strength.
10. The bell is a symbol of quitting in SEAL training. The lesson the bell represents is that you should never give up on your goals, even when facing difficult times.

Essay Questions

1. How does the author use personal anecdotes and experiences to reinforce the ten lessons outlined in the book? Discuss at least three specific examples from the book.
2. Analyze the theme of resilience and its importance within the context of SEAL training and the author’s broader life lessons. How do setbacks contribute to the development of character, according to McRaven?
3. Explore the role of teamwork and leadership in the book. How does the author emphasize the value of both in achieving success, whether in a military or civilian context?
4. Evaluate the significance of overcoming fear as a recurring theme throughout the book. How does McRaven illustrate the importance of courage in challenging one’s limits and facing adversity?
5. Discuss the idea that the “little things matter,” as represented by the act of making one’s bed, and examine how this principle applies to various aspects of life, both inside and outside a military setting.

Glossary of Key Terms

• SEAL: A member of the United States Navy’s Sea, Air, and Land teams, which are special operations forces.
• Sugar Cookie: A punishment in SEAL training that involves rolling in the sand while wet, covering the trainee in sand.
• The Circus: Additional calisthenics and exercises given to SEAL trainees who fail to meet the standards during training.
• Hell Week: A grueling six-day period in SEAL training characterized by sleep deprivation, extreme physical activity, and constant harassment.
• Mudflats: A low-lying, muddy area used as a training site during Hell Week.
• “Death Rig”: The Emerson closed-circuit diving apparatus, known for its occasional malfunctions.
• Tadpoles: A term used to refer to new students in the beginning phase of SEAL training.
• Hooyah: A term used in the Navy to express enthusiasm and camaraderie.
• Rip Cord: A cord that activates the parachute.
• SAS: The British Special Air Service, a special operations unit, known for its motto “Who Dares Wins.”
• Limpet Mine: A type of naval mine attached to a ship’s hull.
• Coxswain: The person who steers and coordinates the actions of a boat crew.