Many of us were taught to make our beds in the morning and that we should do it every day.
But let’s face it – many of us still don’t. We lead busy lives, and making the bed is rarely the first thing on our minds when we wake up.
This five minute task, however, is more important than we might think. According to author Gretchen Rubin and a former Navy SEAL commander, it could impact our entire day.
With the new school year starting, it’s not uncommon for students, parents, and teachers to seek out new strategies that could lead them to success. Even though it might seem like an unnecessary or burdensome morning ritual, making the bed can actually be one of those strategies.
In a recent LinkedIn article, Rubin discusses how she and Naval Admiral William McRaven have one thing in common: they both believe that making the bed can be the best way to start each day.
Rubin writes about the topic in several of her happiness-related books, while McRaven touched on the subject in his commencement address at the University of Texas. Here’s what he had to say:
“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. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter.”
When you have a rather huge to-do list each morning, that list can feel overwhelming. By starting the day off with a small but productive task, you’ll feel more accomplished as you begin your to-do list.
Try it out for yourself and see if this change in your morning routine can make a difference. If it’s as powerful as Rubin, McRaven, and many others say, this simple habit could improve your productivity and lead you to having a more successful day.