Mom was right…make your bed!

Adam Robinson
Aug 24, 2017 · 2 min read

I have been on quite a journey of self-exploration and realization over the last few months. During this time of introspection, I have worked to change some things in my life to become a better version of me. Some of these changes have been quite simple, yet powerful, like making up my bed in the morning.

The first time I was told to make up my bed was by my mom. I don’t recall how much I did or didn’t make my bed as a child, so I assume I probably didn’t do it very much!

Over the past few months, I have read a few articles about the importance of making your bed each morning. I ultimately decided to give it a try after reading Tools of the Titans by Tim Ferris.

I have been making my bed most mornings for the past eight weeks. To my surprise, it does make a difference in three key areas.

You start your day off with a W.

The simple act of making up your bed each morning gives you a quick win to start your day on the right track. US Navy Admiral William McCraven famously stated during a 2014 commencement speech at the University of Texas that, “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. And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.”

Discipline leads to more discipline.

In addition to starting off with a quick win, making your bed in the morning sets the stage for a successful day. In the Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg states that “Making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of well-being, and stronger skills at sticking with a budget. It’s not that… a tidy bed causes better grades or less frivolous spending. But somehow those initial shifts start chain reactions that help other good habits take hold.”

You will sleep better

For me, it feels good after a long day to pull back the layers of a made bed and cozy up for a good night’s sleep. According to a 2011 sleep study, I am not alone. The data indicates that making your bed in the morning will help you sleep better.

Try It

I was skeptical at first, but I must admit that making my bed each morning does make a positive difference. Try it out. Developing this small daily habit pays huge dividends. This tiny act of discipline, which takes a limited amount of time and resources, literally has the power to transform a day, and over time, your life.

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Adam Robinson

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I help small business owners reach their goals so that they can live prosperous lives. Fan ofCrossfit, Bulletproof Coffee and keto. Love my wife and three kids

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