If you want to change the world, start by making your bed.

As a student of leadership, I have read and reread Admiral William H. McRaven’s Commencement remarks to UT Austin. Admiral McRaven has been a navy seal for 35 years. He is the ninth commander of US Special Forces. The first of 10 points he makes about how to change the world is to make your bed every morning. “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 little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right. And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made—that you made—and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.” I can’t say it better than that. This is the Power of Habit. In his book, Charles Duhigg delves deeply into how you create habits to perform at the highest level. This is what the Navy Seals do. I would wash out of the Seals in the first week, but I can do my part to change the world. I can start with one new habit. And when I get that down, I can start on another. My suggestion is to create positive habits. Here are some examples: I will file my emails immediately and set a time to go back and address them within 24 hours. I will say please and thank you to my staff when I ask for work I expect them to do. I will acknowledge one person each day for something they did well. I will look for something good to say that is truthful and meaningful to everyone I interact with. Pick something and do it for 21 days. Make it a habit.