On May 17, 2014, retired Admiral of the U.S. Navy William H. McRaven gave a commencement speech at The University of Texas. He is a four-star Admiral who served thirty-seven years as a Navy SEAL. He also served as the chancellor of the University of Texas from 2015 to 2018. The speech became popular on social media, with many people sharing it. In that speech, he shared 10 lessons he learned from his Navy SEAL training, which formed the basis of his remarks. The lessons are very simple yet helped him overcome the trials of SEAL training. However, they are equally important and useful in dealing with challenges in real life. Given the popularity and demand, he later wrote a small book based on the lessons he shared in the speech. Here at Lumiself Lab, we will now look at these lessons, which will help us not only change ourselves but also the world.
1. Start Your Day With A Task Completed
Life is hard, and not everything goes according to our plans. Just like in wars where soldiers die, in exams where we may get low grades, or when we miss the school bus—sometimes, there is not much left for us to change the outcome. If we start our day by completing a simple task like making our bed, it will give us a sense of faith and pride in ourselves. This will provide a sense of accomplishment and the enthusiasm to complete the rest of the day’s tasks in a well-structured manner. This may seem like a negligible task, but if we think about it carefully, it gives us a boost and helps us tackle unpleasant situations with strength while providing the satisfaction of ending the day right.
“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”
2. You Can’t Do It All Alone
Many people have the mentality that they can do everything alone and do not need anyone. However, if we look at the world’s most successful people, we must understand that they did not achieve greatness alone. Behind every success, there are contributions from many people that we often fail to acknowledge. Therefore, we should always be ready to learn, work as a team, and be good team members. In life, there will be many instances where teamwork is essential, and only good teamwork can lead to success. In times of distress, we need someone to have our back. Thus, we must make friends, build a team, and be team players. Remember, our success often depends on others.
“If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle.”
3. Only the Size of Your Heart Matters
Life is not easy; it comes with regular ups and downs. Not everything will go according to plan, and we cannot always expect a positive attitude from everyone. Thus, we must have faith and confidence in ourselves, even when nobody is on our side. No matter how hard it is, success is possible if we have the grit and determination to overcome obstacles and prove others wrong.
“If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart.”
4. Life’s Not Fair – Drive On
There are times when, no matter how hard we try, we just cannot achieve our goals. Sometimes, we find ourselves trapped in uncertain situations. Disasters may strike unexpectedly, or we may face unfairness and deprivation throughout our upbringing. However, both ordinary and great men and women are defined by how they deal with life’s unfairness. We can take Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, and Stephen Hawking as examples. We must not complain or blame ourselves for misfortune. Instead, we must stand tall, look to the future, and drive on!
“If you want to change the world, get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward.”
5. Failure Can Make You Stronger
We all make mistakes and fail in many of our attempts to achieve something. However, not everyone responds to failure the same way. Some people blame themselves and their fate, failing to recognize the valuable lessons and benefits that come from mistakes. The greatest individuals in history became great because failures strengthened and motivated them. Once you overcome failure, you will realize that no one is immune to mistakes, and great leaders learn from them to keep moving forward. Do not be afraid of failures and mistakes.
“If you want to change the world, don’t be afraid of The Circus.”
6. You Must Dear Greatly
Life is full of uncertainties, and it affects everyone differently. Aware of this fact, many choose to play it safe and remain within their comfort zones. This prevents them from seeing and experiencing their true potential. The risk of failure is always present in everything we do, but great individuals embrace it and push beyond their limits. If we do not set high goals and push ourselves to achieve them, we will never reach our full potential. Achieving greatness requires risk, perseverance, and determination. Without daring greatly, we will never know what is truly possible in life.
“If you want to change the world, slide down the obstacle headfirst.”
7. Stand Up to the Bullies
We have all encountered bullies in some form, whether at school, in the workplace, or elsewhere. The goal of bullies is always the same—to find the weak and take advantage of them. Their actions are centered on keeping the weak from becoming strong. We must be men and women of great courage. Knowing that these situations exist, we must stand firm and not allow bullies to have power over us. There is an abundance of courage within us—we just need to dig deep and find it.
“If you want to change the world, don’t back down from the sharks.”
8. Rise to the Occasion
Life is unpredictable, and at some point, we will all face dark moments that leave us in distress. From the passing of a loved one to unforeseen hardships that shatter our spirit, these moments test our strength. It is in these moments that we must rise and push forward to rebuild our lives. When life presents its darkest challenges, we must dig deep within ourselves and be our very best.
“If you want to change the world, be your very best in the darkest moments.”
9. Give People Hope
Hope is the most powerful force in the universe. It has the power to inspire nations to greatness, provide strength to the weak, and ease the pain of unbearable loss. Hope does not require large numbers—one person can make a difference. A single individual’s actions can uplift an entire team and turn the impossible into reality. Therefore, we must always hold onto hope, no matter the situation, and strive to be the person who gives hope to others.
“If you want to change the world, start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud.”
10. Never, Ever Quit
Life is full of difficulties, but there is always someone facing greater hardships than us. If we choose to blame fate, circumstances, or others, we will lose our sense of purpose and find life long and difficult. However, if we accept our fate, refuse to give up on our dreams, and stand strong, we will discover that we are capable of more than we ever imagined. We can still make our lives great—we just cannot give up!
“If you want to change the world, don’t ever, ever ring the bell.”
