11 inspiring quotes by Bill McRaven, the Navy SEAL admiral who oversaw the bin Laden raid ·

08 May 2024, 00:00

SSG Sean K. Harp for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff/Flickr

This was just one of many famous quotes to come from a 2014 University of Texas commencement speech.

"If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed."

AP Photo/The University of Texas at Austin, Marsha Miller

In the now famous speech that has been viewed over 4 million times on YouTube, McRaven gave University of Texas' graduating class advice on how to change the world.

His first tip: Make your bed.

McRaven explains the mantra, which later became the title of a #1 New York Times bestselling book, will help people start each day by accomplishing a task then one more, and another. It also helps emphasize the importance of the "little things."

"And if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made that you made," he said. "And a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better."

"It matters not your gender, your ethnic or religious background, your orientation or your social status. Our struggles in this world are similar, and the lessons to overcome those struggles and to move forward changing ourselves and changing the world around us will apply equally to all."

Charles Dharapak/AP Photo

"Sometimes no matter how well you prepare or how well you perform, you still end up a sugar cookie."

In Navy SEAL training, sailors who failed at basic tasks had to perform extra training at the end of each day. These SEAL hopefuls had to jump into the surf then roll around until completely covered with sand earning the nickname 'sugar cookie.'

During his UT commencement speech in 2014, McRaven said that many who became frustrated that their hard work didn't pay off often quit. The lesson, he said, was that the true test is how one recovers from failure.

"Work hard. Be humble, and I think that will serve you well in life."

Sgt. Jared Gehmann/U.S. Army

"The great [leaders] know how to fail."

REUTERS/Gary Cameron

McRaven addressed cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point during a ceremony for its seniors who had 500 days left until graduation. His speech, called "A Sailor's Perspective on the Army," detailed leadership lessons he learned from Army officers during his 37 years in service.

"If you want to be a SEAL, you must do two things: Listen to your parents and be nice to the other kids."

Sgt. Jared Gehmann/US Army

McRaven gave this piece of advice to a young boy who wrote the SEAL asking if the Navy's most elite commandos were quieter than ninjas.

"Its not just about holding people accountable, its making sure the people around you understand that their effort is worthwhile."

Charles Dharapak/AP Photo

During a speech at UT's Moody College of Communications in February 2017, McRaven talked about the connection between leadership and communication.

"You may be in charge, but its never about you and you cant forget that."

Petty Officer 3rd Class James Ginther/US Navy

During his speech at Moody College, McRaven said leaders always need to be aware of the impacts their decisions make on their subordinates.

"There is nothing more important to a democracy than an active and engaged press."

Tech. Sgt. Ave Young/US Air Force

After his speech at Moody College, McRaven published his thoughts about the American press and President Donald Trump's repeated attacks against the institution.

"I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well."

Staff Sgt. Sean Harp/Defense Department

McRaven authored a blistering rebuke of President Trump's move to revoke the security clearnace of John Brennan, Obama's CIA director who has been a harsh critic of Trump.

In the Washington Post op-ed , McRaven defended Brennan as a "man of unparalleled integrity" and said it would be "an honor" to have his own security clearance revoked along with Brennan's.

Trump responded by calling McRaven a "Hillary Clinton fan."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7scHLrJxnppdkr6p7z6ijoqyZmMBwfZBmoKeroJ6%2FqrrGZqiup6SawG6u2GaZoqScYrqkvsCvnKdlpJ2ybrrAr7Bmq5WWuW6tw6agq5mcYsSpu4yorZ6qo5bEbsDHnmSboZ5iuaKwxKdmpqCim7%2B3xg%3D%3D

11 inspiring quotes by Bill McRaven, the Navy SEAL admiral who oversaw the bin Laden raid

SSG Sean K. Harp for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff/Flickr This was just one of many famous quotes to come from a 2014 University of Texas commencement speech. ADVERTISEMENT "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed."

"If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed."

"It matters not your gender, your ethnic or religious background, your orientation or your social status. Our struggles in this world are similar, and the lessons to overcome those struggles and to move forward changing ourselves and changing the world around us will apply equally to all."

"Sometimes no matter how well you prepare or how well you perform, you still end up a sugar cookie."

"Work hard. Be humble, and I think that will serve you well in life."

"The great [leaders] know how to fail."

"If you want to be a SEAL, you must do two things: Listen to your parents and be nice to the other kids."

"Its not just about holding people accountable, its making sure the people around you understand that their effort is worthwhile."

"You may be in charge, but its never about you and you cant forget that."

"There is nothing more important to a democracy than an active and engaged press."

"I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well."

Share!

11 inspiring quotes by Bill McRaven, the Navy SEAL admiral who oversaw the bin Laden raid

SSG Sean K. Harp for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff/Flickr This was just one of many famous quotes to come from a 2014 University of Texas commencement speech. ADVERTISEMENT &quot;If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.&quot;

"If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed."

"It matters not your gender, your ethnic or religious background, your orientation or your social status. Our struggles in this world are similar, and the lessons to overcome those struggles and to move forward changing ourselves and changing the world around us will apply equally to all."

"Sometimes no matter how well you prepare or how well you perform, you still end up a sugar cookie."

"Work hard. Be humble, and I think that will serve you well in life."

"The great [leaders] know how to fail."

"If you want to be a SEAL, you must do two things: Listen to your parents and be nice to the other kids."

"Its not just about holding people accountable, its making sure the people around you understand that their effort is worthwhile."

"You may be in charge, but its never about you and you cant forget that."

"There is nothing more important to a democracy than an active and engaged press."

"I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well."

Share!

SSG Sean K. Harp for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff/Flickr This was just one of many famous quotes to come from a 2014 University of Texas commencement speech. ADVERTISEMENT "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed."