Review | A career naval officer offers insights into small changes to transform your life

Make Your Bed
written and read by William H. McRaven
Penguin

Admiral William H. McRaven found a different calling when, three years ago, he gave the com­mence­ment address at his alma mater, the University of Texas, in Austin. A military officer, he worried that students wouldn’t relate to him. That they did is the reason for his book, based on 10 lessons from Navy Seal training. The num­ber is arbitrary, of course, as are the dime-a-dozen inspira­tional messages. But perhaps it’s because of the author’s mental and physical toughness that you don’t gag on state­ments such as “failure can make you stronger” and “you can’t go it alone”. McRaven reveals just enough about lead­ing troops in war zones Iraq and Afghanistan to make you pay attention, which is why this book works. And yes, making the bed every morning is sage advice.