Authors

William H. McRaven

William H. McRaven is a retired U.S. Navy four-star admiral who served as commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. He delivered a widely viewed 2014 commencement speech that popularized the line 'If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed,' and later wrote the book Make Your Bed.

Quotes: 1

Quotes by William H. McRaven

If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. — William H. McRaven

Change the World by Starting With Your Bed

From that small square of order flows momentum. Research on the progress principle by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer (2011) shows that even tiny wins spark motivation and creativity. A neatly made bed delivers an immediate sense of completion, which, in turn, lifts mood and primes follow-through. Thus the day’s second task meets less resistance, and the third arrives with more confidence, creating a flywheel of effort that can be steered toward larger goals. [...]

Created on: 9/11/2025