Making Your Bed

[TheKing]

Maybe you misunderstood the admiral, the point he is making is not

"Making your bed is good practise so that you one day can work for minimum wage"

The point he is making is rather

"Make your bed so that you get in the habit of doing stuff first thing in the morning (and not being a lazy bum)"

I'm sure I can pay someone minimum wage to go to the gym for me, but that would kind of defeat its purpose.

 

[jon.a]

Mrs jon and I make our bed every day. We do other shit together too.

 

[jon.a]

Chicks like it when you make your bed.

 

[AubreyJ]

I think you missed the point of the speech, but either way, I totally disagree with you, making your bed is one of those small things that can set you off on the right foot in the morning. Just like eating breakfast or drinking a cup of coffee in the morning.

There are so many things that can fall into your "minimum wage job" category, but they are things that almost every single person has to do because it is just part of being human.

feeding my dogs, cooking myself breakfast, making coffee...etc there are about a dozen minimum wage jobs I've already completed for myself this morning and it's only 10am.

I don't think anyone is too successful or too good to take 2 minutes out of their day to make their bed. Hell, you joke about the hotel room thing- but hands down the most successful guy I know makes his bed EVERY time he stays in a hotel room, and he travels at least once a week.

 

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[jon.a]

I'm missing the point of the rant. Continuing this thread seems to be more of a time waster than making my bed.

 

[Raoul Duke]

It is called; DISCIPLINE. If you can not do something that simple. How could you possibly do something on a larger scale? You'll miss the mark.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

The making the bed story, or washing dishes, or mopping floors...

I take it as...

How you do anything, is how you do everything.

 

[Scot]

It is called; DISCIPLINE. If you can not do something that simple. How could you possibly do something on a larger scale? You'll miss the mark.

DING DING DING.

That's the whole point of that quote.

Discipline is what takes you from being a lazy bum to being a successful entrepreneur.



Also, 0730 is way too late to start PT. Lazy Navy. <- Sarcasm

 

[G-Man]

So just want to point this out. OP's whole argument is based on the assumption that for the 18 hours he is awake, he is literally too busy to spare 1 minute to make his bed.

So for 18 straight hours, every minute is devoted to making cold calls, creating ads on Facebook, designing products, etc.

I really don't think a single person on this forum is that busy that they cannot spare a simple 60 seconds to make a bed.

This reminds me of a conversation between the owner of the company I work for and our logistics manager.

Boss: Did you call the freight forwarder?
Him: No, but I sent a couple emails and they didn't reply.
Boss: But you didn't call?
Him: No.
Boss: Why?
Him: I was working on the blah blah blah, and didn't have time.
Boss: Have you been to the bathroom today?
Him: (confused look)
Boss: Because if you've had time to piss or shit, then you've had 30 seconds to pick up the phone. Don't tell me you didn't have time.

 

[Scot]

So just want to point this out. OP's whole argument is based on the assumption that for the 18 hours he is awake, he is literally too busy to spare 1 minute to make his bed.

So for 18 straight hours, every minute is devoted to making cold calls, creating ads on Facebook, designing products, etc.

I really don't think a single person on this forum is that busy that they cannot spare a simple 60 seconds to make a bed.

 

[Choate]

The broader picture is not about making your bed, its about starting the day off on the right foot. It is a small win. Its the habit of "doing". A few small wins in the early morning can definitely shift into day long momentum.

First things I do every morning are drink some water, make my bed, and then make a smoothie. Sometimes I work in my room. A neat and tidy room keeps my focus clear and concentration high. And for me, that definitely sets the ball rollin' that the day is starting.

If you are too prideful and above making your own bed or simply don't see the significance in it, try replacing it with a different small task. Maybe a 5 minute stretch, reading a chapter of a book, a quick 10 minute calisthenic workout on your floor, etc. Definitely recommend reading The Miracle Morning.

And one last thing... Making your bed is something that a lot of people just don't want to do, for the reasons you listed exactly. That's the whole point of why you should do it. You're doing something you don't want to do, takes time and effort, and seems meaningless at the time. It seems to be that's the case for a lot of life's tasks (the process) which eventually lead to something big (the event).

 

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[jon.a]

Very true, Jon. That will get my bed made every time!

Not if you want a REAL rant ... ask me how I feel about assembling furniture and exercise equipment ... you know ... that god awful stuff that comes in a big box with a book of instructions and a million parts.

Grrrrr! Bona-fide postal!

Chicks like it when you can make shit too.

 

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[Sean Kaye]

In mid-2015 I realized I was spending a lot time creating content and value on other people's platforms without getting much in return.

I decided that I would start writing a daily email to my list. I set a target for 2016 of writing 300,000 words on my own platforms.

I started on Feb 2nd, 2016 and haven't missed a daily email in that time - well up over 500 days straight. In 2016, I wrote over 450,000 words and published them via email, physics newsletters and blog posts. That effort created a new six figure revenue stream in 2016.

I attribute my success to one simple rule - I could not go to sleep unless I sent an email that day. There were days where I was writing email at 4am to adhere to that rule.

Making your bed every day in this analogy isn't about activity, IMHO. It's about holding yourself to shit and going through with it, even when you don't want to. It's bigger than discipline, it's about doing the right things every single day.

 

[Leoto]

I consider my living space to be an extension of my inner world. When there's clutter in my living space, my mind feels cluttered and disorganized as well. When my living space is clean, spacious, and well-organized, my energy and productivity soar. A messy bed doesn't help in this regard. Therefore, I make my bed when I get up.

 

[Almantas]

And, for the record, I've never liked making my bed (...I'm just going to mess it up later anyway).

Why do you wipe your a$$ if you're going to drop some bait again?

I don't know about anyone else, but I manage to think about something while making my bed, cleaning my room of dust and dog hair and even washing my dishes. So, technically, I don't interpret abovementioned activities as a complete waste of time. Hell, sometimes it's even somewhat meditative, plus my house is always tidy and welcoming and I still manage to focus on business and work on it at least 80h a week.

I am no snob and raised by a single mother working two jobs to make sure I have pants on my a$$ and shoes on my feet, so outsourcing simple tasks like the ones mentioned above doesn't make much sense to me at this stage. But that's just my reality, everyone's different.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

I just get straight to the point and do what I need to do.

Perhaps the most important sentence of the thread.

Do what moves the needle.

If making your bed spotless and wrinkle-free is what moves the needle somehow (meditation, motivation, later day productivity) do it. If it doesn't, pass.

Once again, one size does not fit all.

 

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[SteveO]

Make the bed if you want. Don't make it if you don't want. It is a choice. Choices are empowering...

 

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[rollerskates]

Reading rants on the internet can also be a waste of time... oh well, I already blew 90 seconds on bed making today, may as well waste the entire day!

 

[The-J]

We missed you @Esquire and your penchant for controversy.

Of course, the Admiral's advice is pointed at regular people who don't have a maid in their house, making their bed for them, cleaning the house, etc. People who don't use their extra non-work time to make more money or do things that are worth more than the money is for them.

Its also pointed at people who don't really live disciplined lives. People who aren't lawyers, or business owners, or military people. Your typical average joe who gets up at 6am for a job he hates will feel at least a little more accomplished that he did something for himself in the morning.

Making the bed takes a minute and a half. I will always get some sort of satisfaction out of knowing that I'm leaving a room relatively neat. You're different. To me, that feeling is worth more than the $10/hr I can pay some lady from the Philippines to do it for me.

 

[Argue]

Kinda harsh about the 5 year old.

 

[ApparentHorizon]

What a complete waste of time.

You're right it's not the best analogy. All of these minor tasks, making your bed, washing your cup right after you use it, putting your pencils back into their box, they add up. (It translates into action faking - look at me I'm in my office doing office things, coffee first!)

While this is peculation, I'm standing here asking, is there a deeper meaning behind the little things? How can I apply it to my life?

Not too recently, I gave up drinking alcohol, coffee and sitting (Standing desk FTW). Not because I had to...but because it triggered a new way of thinking: When you know that you're willing to do the small tasks to get what you want, you're more confident. More confident you will do whatever it takes to reach your goals. (Look at Prince (the singer), he mopped floors for studio time.)

Personally, I wish my parents forced me to make the bed every day. Up until age 24-26, we don't know any better. The human brain isn't fully developed, and while its never too late to start, developing positive habits as early as possible puts you leaps and bounds ahead of the curve.

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

 

[The-J]

With that in mind ... if any of y'all want to stay the night at my place (and make my bed) ... c'mon over! I'll leave the light on for ya.

I thought this forum had a 'no soliciting' rule

 

[Lafandriel]

As @TheKing stated above I also think that it is more about putting yourself into the mood of getting stuff done. Whether you are making your bed and feel encouraged to go for the more difficult tasks after you have solved and are satisfied with this little task or you do it like a friend of mine who is drinking a cup of tea every time she wants to start working is up to you ...

By the way how much are you paying for outsourcing all of these tasks that seem to be beneath you ?
Let me tell you that these tasks are not as bad to do as you think it is ( I have to make 17 beds everyday and have to change the douvet cover 4 times a day ... do I like it? no but that stuff I don't like is part of my job so I better get it over with and go for the parts I enjoy a lot more...)

 

[Esquire]

We missed you @Esquire and your penchant for controversy.

Of course, the Admiral's advice is pointed at regular people who don't have a maid in their house, making their bed for them, cleaning the house, etc. People who don't use their extra non-work time to make more money or do things that are worth more than the money is for them.

Its also pointed at people who don't really live disciplined lives. People who aren't lawyers, or business owners, or military people. Your typical average joe who gets up at 6am for a job he hates will feel at least a little more accomplished that he did something for himself in the morning.

Making the bed takes a minute and a half. I will always get some sort of satisfaction out of knowing that I'm leaving a room relatively neat. You're different. To me, that feeling is worth more than the $10/hr I can pay some lady from the Philippines to do it for me.

Yeah ... I guess you're right. I'm not the target audience. Viewed that way ... okay ... perhaps the speech makes sense.

Guess I learned something today ... there are a lot of people here who like to make beds.

With that in mind ... if any of y'all want to stay the night at my place (and make my bed) ... c'mon over! I'll leave the light on for ya.

 

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[Waspy]

I kinda see OPs point. Kinda. Like it would be cool to leap out of bed, forget making it, and grab the phone, still undressed, and make a few hundred cold calls.

But where is the self respect? Make your damn bed.

 

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[MitchM]

Yeah man, you know what - you're right.

As I type this, my new servant Mortimer is feeding me my spaghettios. I can't believe how much time I've been wasting! Putting food in your mouth is not something we should do.

 

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[mike24601]

All this stuff about cold showers and getting up early and making your bed is nothing but a gigantic circle jerk. I was in the military once upon a time, made my bed with hospital corners and spitshined my boots and all that, but these days I roll out of bed when I feel like getting up and leave it just as it is. Then I take a nice hot shower and get to work because I think better when I am unencumbered by trivialities. I just get straight to the point and do what I need to do. Mark Zuckerberg didn't even bother to choose different clothes, he just filled his closet with jeans and green shirts, because he felt that shopping for and choosing different clothes was of little importance.

 

[InspireHD]

When I was in basic training, instead of having to make my bed every morning, I just slept on top of the blankets. When I would wake up in the morning and hop down off the top bunk, I would just the blankets tight under the springs.

In 4 months, there were only 2 nights I actually slept under the blankets - when the Drill Sergeants told us the night before that we would be turning in the sheets to be washed, and the last night before graduation when I knew I didn't have to do it anymore. I was in Ft. Benning, Georgia so it was hot anyway.

This thread also reminded of this video:

 

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[Ninjakid]

I think pretty much everything that needs to be said here has already been said, but I noticed for me since I cleaned my room, got rid of a bunch of shit, and started making my bed every day, I feel a lot more grounded and more productive. It sounds pretty lame, but I'm sure there's some merit to it

With that in mind ... if any of y'all want to stay the night at my place (and make my bed) ... c'mon over! I'll leave the light on for ya.

 

[Alxander]

Cold shower is still best thing to do in the morning though