Why Making Your Bed Is The Foundation of a Productive Life
Especially In A Post-Pandemic World
Even though many places around the world have been gradually lifting lockdown orders and a myriad of restrictions, many are still finding it difficult to get back into the swing of things.
And that generally begins with getting out of bed in the morning, even though the pillow may seem much more inviting than going to work, school, or simply going about your day.
During the pandemic, that simple act certainly seemed exponentially difficult, for some more than others. But here’s why it is so important: Getting out of bed, and actually making it, sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Now that may seem like an exaggeration, but just think about it. It feels good to complete a task as soon as you wake up, putting you in a better mood. Plus, it’s a more difficult to go back to sleep if your bed is already made and all the pillows artfully arranged than it is when your sheets and pillows form a warm nest you can just slide back into, right?
Admiral McRaven, who gave a speech on this very topic to a class of college graduates put it very succinctly when he said, “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another.”
That sure makes a lot of sense to me! In other words, making your bed in the morning sets you up for success for the rest of the day. And even that day turns out to be one of the worse ones, at least you’ll have a clean, wonderfully made bed to fall into before trying again tomorrow.
That feeling of accomplishment, no matter how small, can be just what is needed to take on and complete another task, and so on and so forth.
Responsibility Is Important
Put another way, making your bed is tantamount to taking responsibility for yourself, for the state of your room, and for your day.
Responsibility, as of late, seems to have become a counterculture of sorts, which certainly seems rather ironic. But the world needs more people who are willing to take responsibility for themselves and their own actions. A world without responsibility and accountability may seem like the easier path, but it is not one that any would realistically enjoy living in.
A responsible person, who makes his or her bed in the morning, is much better positioned to accomplish goals than a person who does not.
I’m not going to point fingers and berate someone for having off-days sometimes, where the best cure is a movie marathon curled up in bed. Everyone needs a day like that every once in a while.
And making your bed every day is a habit that must be built up over time, just like everything else. It is this positive attitude, of building habits, making progress towards goals, and building up momentum that leads to a more productive lifestyle.
So the question stands: Have you made your bed this morning?
