Make Your Bed!

BY: Chris Pace

Hello Professionals!

While on the road meeting a client this week, I was fortunate enough to engage in a terrific conversation that spanned hours into the night. While we discussed the state of his business enterprise, updated each other on familial developments, and of course talked recent sports events…. The overarching theme was simply passion for what we do and having a vision to direct that passion to overcome whatever obstacle happened to be relevant for each situation we discussed. It’s always a blessing to be met with joint curiosity, enthusiasm, philosophy, and excitement for the future. That said, I hope you all jump at the chance to engage those interactions and appreciate those blips when  presented to you; often on a daily basis if you’re looking out for those bright spots.

The next morning at a strategy debrief meeting, my client gifted me an incredible book based on a very famous speech that remains one of the top viewed commencement speeches on the internet.

Perhaps you have viewed it before; either way, please take 6 minutes and check it out:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=3sK3wJAxGfs

Admiral William McRaven – based on the popularity of his speech – expanded on the tenets of his speech and shared more detailed anecdotes to include in a short book addressing his very poignant notes on leading a successful life and changing the world.

Here is a quick synopsis of those points from the novel:

 MAKE YOUR BED – Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World.

1.       Start your day with a task completed

a.       Make your bed! Nothing can replace the strength and comfort of one’s faith, but sometimes the simple act of making your bed can give you the lift you need to start your day and provide you the satisfaction to end it right.

2.       You can’t go it alone

a.       Find someone to help you paddle. Make as many friends as possible and never forget that your success depends on others.

3.       Only the size of your heart matters

a.       Success comes in many different packages and styles, but the size of the heart is the constant, not the size of the “flippers”

4.       Life’s not fair, drive on!

a.       Sometimes no matter how hard you try, no matter how good you are, you still end up as a “sugar cookie.” Don’t complain. Don’t blame it on your misfortune. Stand tall, look to the future, and drive on!

5.       Failure can make your stronger

a.       True leaders must learn from their failures, use the lessons to motivate themselves, and not be afraid to try again and make the next tough decision.

6.       You must dare greatly.

a.       Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential. Without pushing your limits, without daring greatly, you will never know what is truly possible in your life.

7.       Stand up to the bullies

a.       Don’t back down from the sharks! In life, to achieve your goals, you will have to be men and women of great courage. That courage is within all of us. Dig deep, and you will find it in abundance.

8.       Rise to the occasion

a.       Be your very best in the darkest moments. At some point we will all confront a dark moment in life. If not the passing of a loved one, then something else that crushes your spirit and leaves you wondering about your future. In that dark moment, reach deep inside yourself and be your very best.

9.       Give people hope

a.       Start singing when you’re up to your neck in the mud. We will all find ourselves neck deep in the mud someday. That is the time to sing loudly, to smile broadly, to life those up around you and give them hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

10.   Never, ever quit

a.       Life is full of difficult times. But someone out there always has it worse than you do. If you fill your days with pity, sorrowful for the way you have been treated, bemoaning your lot in life, blaming your circumstances on someone or something else, then life will be long and hard. If, on the other hand, you refuse to give up on your dreams, stand tall and strong against the odds – then life will be what you make of it – and you can make it great.

Now I don’t mean this message to come off heavy or belabored, but I certainly wish to address the fact that in our lives and our businesses, we are under constant pressure to perform despite the overwhelming obstacles that our thrown our way. I think the fundamentals present in Admiral McRaven’s short tone promotes a fantastic strategy to address those threats head on, dig deep within ourselves, and overcome each and every day.

I’d urge you all to check out the entire book; the anecdotes are as inspiring as they are heart-wrenching at times. 

As always, I thank you all for being a crucial part of my personal and professional journey and hope everyone has a terrific weekend.

Chris Pace