No, that retired Navy SEAL didn’t teach me how to pull the covers so tight, I could bounce a quarter one foot in the air. Nor did I learn the importance of tucked corners. He taught me that making my bed is the first win of the day.
Who Knew Making My Bed Was So Important
There are two times of the year that I love. When high school students find out if they’ve been accepted to their school and college graduations. Commencement speeches are my favorite part of the experience. Though it’s been a long, long (long), time since I sat in that seat, I still love listening to commencement speeches.
On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on Commencement day. His topic was the ten lessons he learned in basic SEAL training. The first lesson resonated with so many that it was later made into a book titled “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe The World”.
My parents would get after me about making my bed before school. Most times, I didn’t. In typical fashion, I would be running late for school or morning practice causing me to fly through the house like a whirling dervish. Back then, the win for making up my bed was not finding my bed stripped when I got home. Admiral McRaven’s speech illuminated for me that such a simple task could set the tone for the day as my first big win.
“If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never be able to do the big things right.”
In case you’re curious, here is the entire list of his ten lessons.
- Make your bed 🛏️
- Find someone to help you paddle 🚣
- Measure a Person by the Size of Their ❤️, Not by the Size of Their Flippers
- Get Over Being a Sugar 🍪 and Keep Moving Forward
- Don’t Be Afraid of The Circuses 🤡
- You Have to Slide Down the Obstacle Head First 👀
- Don’t Back Down from The Sharks 🤜🦈
- You Must Be Your Very Best in The Darkest Moment 🦸
- Start Singing When You’re Up To Your Neck In Mud 🎤
- Don’t Ever, Ever Ring The Bell 🔕
Here’s What Changed When I Started Making My Bed
Making my bed every morning started a habit of what I call the quick clean. It looked so nice that anything out of place diminished the beauty of my freshly made bed. I set a timer for 10 minutes to clean. Do you know how much you can get cleaned in 10 minutes? More than you think if you’re intentional about it.
Coupling cleaning and making the bed gave me a sense of accomplishment, just like he said. To keep the momentum going, I would work out or do something else to prepare my mindset for the day. I felt better, so I looked better, and I performed better. But also, if I didn’t accomplish anything else that day, I could look at my bed and the clean and be proud of myself.
And you know what else? When the weekend comes, I have very little to clean. It frees up more time later.
By the way, the technique of grouping habits together is called habit stacking. This practice amplifies the impact of habits that serve you. By stringing together like-tasks, you boost your productivity and likelihood of success. It’s a snowball effect. Before you know it, you’ve accomplished a group of things without really trying.
Don’t Overthink It – Get Started With One First Win Of The Day
If you like the concept of a first win of the day, you may be wondering what you should do to get started. Or, perhaps you feel like it’s just one more to-do on your list and you don’t need another failure. My advice is not to overthink it. Start with Admiral McRaven’s advice, make your bed.
But what if you’re already someone who makes their bed in the morning? Okay – you’re amazing! Choose something incredibly simple. Remember, this is supposed to be an easy win. My advice is to choose a task that is part of a bigger goal.
For example, if you need to drink more water, make it the first thing you do in the morning. Put a bottle or glass of water by your bed. When you wake up in the morning, it’s right there. You don’t have to drudge to the kitchen.
Another idea is to meditate for two minutes. Let’s face it, you’re going to be on the toilet anyway, making it a mindful moment 🤣.
Keep a notebook by your bed and journal for seven minutes when you wake up.
You get the picture. Keep it light, easy, and fun if necessary. If it’s too difficult, you’ll stop doing it, or it will become an annoyance. There’s is only one rule, it has to be something for yourself. I admit, even though I make my bed in the morning, it isn’t pristine.
What is your first win of the day? How about commenting on this post and sharing?
