Unmotivational
In 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven (retd) gave the graduation address at the University of Texas, Austin. It's highly regarded as a motivational speech. It is, indeed, excellent, and well worth watching.
But, since hundreds of thousands gave their lives for my freedom to be an arse on the internet, I will take (minor) issue with one of McRaven's points. His first, in fact.
Every morning in SEAL training, my instructors, who at the time were all Vietnam veterans, would show up in my barracks room. And the first thing they'd do is inspect my bed. If you did it right, the corners would be square; the covers would be pulled tight; the pillows centered, just under the headboard; and the extra blanket folded neatly at the foot of the rack. It was a simple task, mundane at best. But every morning we were required to make our bed to perfection. It seemed a little ridiculous at the time, particularly in light of the fact that we were aspiring to be real warriors. Tough, battle-hardened SEALs. But the wisdom of this simple act has been proven to me many times over. 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. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you'll never be able to 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. So, if you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.
Adm. William H. McRaven, University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address - Admiral William H. McRaven, Texas Exes
You will also have dust mites and a stale bed. I don't make my bed in the morning, because I let it air. It may also explain why I've never achieved anything of note in my life.