The first rule is “Make your bed!”

I wrote recently about “The very best complete rejection ever.” Some of the very best advice ever for living a life that makes a difference, the kind of life to which we nearly all aspire, or should, was delivered by Adm. William H. McRaven, former Navy SEAL, to the graduating class at the University of Texas Austin, but his suggestions fit all ages and every role.

So, here are the 10 lessons he learned from basic SEAL training that hopefully will be of value to you as you move forward in life:

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

2. If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle.

3. If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart, not the size of their flippers.

4. If you want to change the world, get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward

5. But if you want to change the world, don’t be afraid of the circuses.

6. If you want to change the world, sometimes you have to slide down the obstacle head-first.

7. So, if you want to change the world, don’t back down from the sharks.

8. If you want to change the world, you must be your very best in the darkest moment.

9. So, if you want to change the world, start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud.

10. If you want to change the world don’t ever, ever ring the bell.

See it in its entirety