Biz Book Review: When chaos rules, make your bed

In a world gone mad, we cling to routine. The watering of the garden, a round of dishwashing, even making our beds can bring us solace and comfort. There couldn't be a better time, then, to read "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life ... and Maybe the World" by Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy Retired).

The book is timely in another way: the author wrote the book after giving a commencement address at his alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin. Inspired by his 37 years as a Naval SEAL and his role as Commander of all U.S. Special Operations Forces, he parsed down his wisdom for the graduating class. As so many graduates won't be "walking" across the stage this year, his message seems apropos - minus the warfare analogies, perhaps.

Of course, it's hard to overlook the references to war because that's what makes Admiral McRaven's homespun wisdom so startling and memorable. He's divided the book into ten chapters, from "Start Your Day with a Task Completed" (i.e., making your bed each day) to "Never, Ever Quit!" In between are stories about courage, failure, rising to the occasion and giving people hope. Right now, we need that hope more than ever.

One of Admiral McRaven's more poignant stories is one where he shares about his own failure as the head of a squadron. In July 1983, he was relieved of his assignment after trying to initiate change in what he described as a culture still rooted in the Vietnam era. Fortunately for him, his commanding officer allowed him to transfer to another SEAL team. However, the author notes, his reputation was severely damaged. He had two options: to quit and move on to civilian life (the logical choice, he said) or stay, weather the storm and prove to himself and to others that he was, indeed, a good SEAL officer. He chose the latter.

There are some tough stories, too, stories of grueling marches, mucking about in the mud during training, explosions that caused loss of life and limb. Swimming in the ocean with an eye out for sharks. Planting explosives under a ship where it was so dark, the divers couldn't see. His simple homilies are propped up with stories about the horrors of war and the high-stakes world of being a Navy SEAL.

Admiral McRaven has another timely message for bullies and those who tolerate them. "Bullies are all the same; whether they are in the schoolyard, the workplace or ruling a country through terror," he writes. "If you don't find the courage to stand your ground, they will strike," he warns. "In life, to achieve your goals, to complete the night swim, you will have to be men and women of courage. That courage is within all of us. Dig deep, and you will find it in abundance."

That's the hope we are all looking for.

•Vickie Austin is a business and career coach, professional speaker and author of Circles of Gold: Honoring Your Network for Business and Career Success. She hosts "Biz Books Review," now via Zoom, the third Tuesday of every month. Contact her at vaustin@choicesworldwide.com, (312) 213-1795, LinkedIn and Twitter (@Vickie_Austin).