Introduction
At Event Medical Staffing, professional development isn’t just encouraged—it’s embedded into our culture. Recently, a group of our EMTs were given a copy of Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… and Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven. This short but powerful book inspired our team to reflect on how discipline, resilience, and teamwork can be implemented into our daily routines, professional conduct, and patient care. Each EMT completed a reflective report on the book, highlighting key takeaways and how they can apply these lessons to their EMS practice.
Overview of Make Your Bed
Originally based on McRaven’s 2014 commencement speech at the University of Texas, Make Your Bed delivers ten life lessons from his time in Navy SEAL training. These include: ✔ The power of small habits to create momentum.
✔ The value of teamwork and relying on others.
✔ Overcoming adversity through resilience.
✔ Striving for excellence even in the smallest tasks.
✔ The critical importance of hope.
These principles are deeply aligned with the day-to-day realities of emergency medical professionals.
Why This Book Matters to EMTs
Working in EMS requires mental stamina, emotional intelligence, physical endurance, and sharp attention to detail. Make Your Bed touches on every one of these elements, making it an ideal tool for professional growth. Here’s how our team responded:
1. Discipline in the Small Things
EMTs Kevin and Anastasia reflected on how McRaven’s focus on making your bed—starting the day with a completed task—parallels EMT routines like equipment checks and scene readiness. Attention to detail can make or break the outcome of a patient encounter. “If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.”
2. Teamwork Saves Lives
Danny and Ethan highlighted the importance of unit cohesion, both in McRaven’s SEAL training and in EMS operations. Whether responding to a cardiac arrest or supporting a teammate post-critical call, success in EMS is always a team effort. Ethan emphasized that “no SEAL could make it through combat alone—and no EMT can succeed in isolation either.”
3. Resilience Under Pressure
All reports reflected on the theme of resilience through adversity. From Ethan’s description of EMS as “the struggle between life and death,” to Anastasia’s reflection on rising up during “the darkest moments,” the book reminded our team that grit and mental toughness are essential traits in high-stakes environments.
4. Hope Is Part of the Job
Hope, according to McRaven, is a driving force that can inspire entire nations—or, in our case, entire teams. Ethan noted that patients often look to EMTs for strength and stability in their most vulnerable moments. EMTs are not just responders—they are symbols of hope.
Impact on Professional Practice
Reading Make Your Bed wasn’t just an assignment—it was a moment of transformation. Our EMTs are now more intentional about: ✔ Preparing thoroughly before every shift
✔ Communicating effectively under pressure
✔ Supporting each other mentally and emotionally
✔ Striving for excellence in every interaction
Kevin noted that even small victories—like a successful airway placement—build confidence and foster momentum throughout the day.
Conclusion: Inspired to Serve Better
At Event Medical Staffing, we believe that great EMTs are made through ongoing growth, humility, and discipline. Make Your Bed gave our team a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose. Through teamwork, attention to detail, and resilience, our EMTs are better prepared to deliver exceptional patient care, no matter the circumstance.
📩 Need EMTs with discipline, heart, and readiness to serve? Contact Event Medical Staffing today. 📧 Email: Info@eventmedstaff.com
📞 Phone: 385-355-4879
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