If I told you making your bed every morning was a good way to change the world, would you believe me? At first glance, it may seem like a trivial task, but according to Admiral William McRaven, a retired United States Navy SEAL commander, it’s one of the most important things you can do to start your day off with a sense of accomplishment and create a positive mindset that can carry over into everything else you do.

McRaven’s speech, delivered as a commencement address to the graduating class at the University of Texas at Austin in 2014, quickly went viral, and it’s easy to see why. The lessons he learned during his rigorous SEAL training are not just applicable to military life – they can also be used to create positive change in our personal and professional lives, as well as in the world at large.

Lesson 1: If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.
As previously mentioned, making your bed every morning can give you a sense of accomplishment right from the start of your day. Even if nothing else goes right that day, you can come home to a tidy, made bed that reminds you that you did something right that morning. This small victory can give you the motivation you need to tackle other tasks throughout the day.

Lesson 2: If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle.
No one can do everything on their own. That’s why it’s important to find people who can help you accomplish your goals, whether that means collaborating with coworkers on a project or working with a mentor to help you develop your skills.

Lesson 3: If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart, not by the size of their flippers.
In other words, success is not about physical attributes or external factors, but about the inner qualities that make a person truly great. We should judge people based on their character, their values, and their willingness to help others, rather than on factors like their race, gender, or appearance.

Lesson 4: If you want to change the world, get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward.
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we fail. We may feel like we’ve done everything right, but still, things don’t go our way. In these moments, it’s important to remember that failure is not the end – it’s just an opportunity to learn and grow. We can’t always be perfect, but we can always keep trying.

Lesson 5: If you want to change the world, don’t be afraid of the circuses.
Whether it’s the “circus” of a difficult project at work, a personal challenge, or a global crisis, we have to face our fears and push through the difficult times. Only by confronting our challenges head-on can we grow stronger and more resilient.

Lesson 6: If you want to change the world, sometimes you have to slide down the obstacles head first.
Taking risks can be scary, but sometimes it’s the only way to achieve our goals. By being brave and taking chances, we may encounter new opportunities and experiences we wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Lesson 7: If you want to change the world, don’t back down from the sharks.
We may encounter aggressive, hostile people or situations in our lives, but we have to stand our ground and confront them with strength and determination. Whether it’s standing up to a bully or fighting for a cause we believe in, we have to be willing to face our fears and take action.

Lesson 8: If you want to change the world, you must be your very best in the darkest moments.
In the most difficult, challenging moments, we have to dig deep and find the inner strength to keep going. Whether it’s through meditation, exercise, or other forms of self-care, we have to take care of ourselves to be able to face the challenges that lie ahead.

Lesson 9: If you want to change the world, start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud.
Even in the most difficult moments, we can still find hope and positivity. In fact, it’s often in these moments that we need it the most. When we come together and support each other, we can find the strength to overcome even the toughest challenges.

These nine lessons may seem simple, but they represent powerful principles that can help us create positive change in our own lives and in the world at large. By embracing these lessons and finding our own ways to put them into action, we can all do our part to make the world a better place. So, start by making your bed in the morning – you never know where that small action may lead.