Small Victories: Make Your Bed, Make Your Day
There’s this Navy SEAL, Admiral William H. McRaven, who wrote a whole book about how the first win of the day is making your bed. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life... And Maybe the World is a short, punchy read, but the point is clear: start your day with a win. And yes, I mean make your fucking bed!
There’s something magical about starting the day with one small victory. The bed’s made, pillows are fluffed, and boom—you’ve already checked something off the list. And trust me, that small win ripples out through the day. It’s like hitting a good stretch of green lights on your commute. Tiny, sure, but doesn’t it make you feel like you’re crushing life?
Why It Matters
You might be thinking, "Okay, Todd, calm down, it’s just a bed." But here’s the thing: it’s not just about the bed. It’s about momentum. When you start your day with a win, no matter how small, you’re already stacking up the victories. And the more wins you pile up, the more confidence you build. It’s like rolling a snowball downhill—those little wins add up to something much bigger.
Take my morning routine, for example: I wake up around 6:30 a.m., groggy but determined. First win? Make the bed. Next? Coffee. Then comes the cold plunge (which feels more like a slap in the face, but hey, I do it). By 7 a.m., I’ve already won three times, and I haven’t even seen another human yet. These small victories don’t just set me up for a productive day—they remind me that I’ve got control over something, even when life feels chaotic.
Let’s Talk About Your Wins
Your small victories might look different from mine, but they’re just as important. Maybe it’s remembering your password on the first try (seriously, I could win an Olympic gold for that). Or maybe it’s parallel parking without taking out someone’s side mirror. Or how about stopping yourself from sending that snarky email at work? These are all wins, people. They count!
Here’s another gem: getting your laundry into the dryer before it smells like a wet dog. That’s a huge win. And let’s not forget the grand prize of adulting: finding the end of the roll of packing tape without having a breakdown. Celebrate these moments! Life’s hard enough without giving yourself credit where it’s due.
Why Other People’s Wins Matter (Hint: They Do!)
Now, here’s the kicker. I’ve learned that celebrating other people’s wins makes me feel even better about my own. There’s no need to get salty when someone else succeeds. Their victory doesn’t take away from yours. In fact, it adds to it. Because when someone else wins, it’s proof that victories are possible—for all of us. It’s like I always say, "A rising tide lifts all boats."
Whether it’s a friend getting a promotion, your coworker fixing the printer (miraculous, I know), or a random person scoring an extra fry in their drive-thru order, be happy for them. Their win doesn’t diminish you. It amplifies all of us.
Small Wins, Big Ripples
At the end of the day, these small wins—yours, mine, and everyone else’s—are the building blocks of something bigger. And sure, making your bed might not change the world, but it can change your world. As Admiral McRaven puts it, "Above all else, acquire new skills and knowledge, for they are currency that can be turned into something profound."
So go out there, make your bed, celebrate your wins (no matter how absurd), and always cheer on others. We’re all in this together, and when one of us wins, we all rise.
Much love and please, make your bed it will 100% make you feel better
