“Embrace the suck.”
One of many first belongings you study as a Marine is to “embrace the suck.” Not as a result of it sounds powerful—however as a result of it’s how energy is solid. In at the moment’s world, the place ease is glorified, we have to bear in mind this reality: actual strength comes from struggle.
Earlier than I grew to become a management coach and optimistic psychology skilled, I used to be a United States Marine Corps officer. I discovered rapidly that discomfort isn’t a barrier to success—it’s the trail to it. And that reality nonetheless guides all the things I do.
You don’t construct energy by avoiding discomfort. You construct it by searching for it.
We stay in a world the place ease is glorified—however that pursuit is costing us our edge. Discomfort may really feel inconvenient within the second, however it’s the one factor that builds actual confidence, grit, and development.
Incomes the Title of United States Marine
At 18, I flew from Minnesota to San Diego to start Naval ROTC—excited, nervous, and carrying an outfit I believed would impress: scorching pink polka-dot shorts, matching pumps, and a contemporary manicure. Inside hours, a senior candidate regarded me over and mentioned: “You’ll by no means make it as a Marine.”
A part of me believed him.
I struggled. I couldn’t sustain on the runs. I felt misplaced. The one different feminine candidate stop. I used to be alone—and barely hanging on.
However I didn’t stop. I confirmed up, failed, saved going. And three years later, I graduated from Officer Candidate College as my college’s high finisher.
That have taught me one thing that’s extra related at the moment than ever—particularly in a world of uncertainty, stress, and burnout: search discomfort day after day, and it’ll rework you. You don’t really feel sturdy initially. However with every mile, every determination, and every refusal to stop—you construct it.
That’s what grit seems like. And ultimately, it adjustments who you’re.
What the Science Says About Discomfort
Constructive psychology analysis backs this up.
Research present that well-being doesn’t come from avoiding battle—however from pursuing which means, engagement, and accomplishment, all of which require effort and discomfort. Analysis additionally confirms that grit—not expertise—is what units excessive achievers aside. And neuroscience reveals that repeated effort below problem helps the mind adapt and develop stronger.
The Marine Corps taught me that lengthy earlier than I had the science to show it.
On a regular basis Acts of Discomfort
You don’t want a battlefield to construct energy. A few of the strongest moments of development occur in on a regular basis life:
- Telling the reality when silence feels safer
- Asking for assist once you’d slightly faux you’ve acquired it dealt with
- Talking up when your coronary heart is pounding
- Making use of for that stretch project though it’s scary
These aren’t dramatic, however they’re defining. They may not earn you medals—however they construct one thing extra essential:
A life you respect. A thoughts that doesn’t fold below stress. The sort of grit that’s turning into far too uncommon.
Every time you lean into discomfort as an alternative of away from it, you increase what you consider you’re able to. You sharpen your edge. You construct psychological muscle.
The Energy of Reps
Marines don’t construct confidence from motivational speeches. We construct it by reps.
Chilly. Muddy. Repetitive. Uncomfortable.
However that’s precisely the purpose: energy isn’t solid in a single defining second. It’s constructed by small, repeated acts—day after day, rep after rep.
It’s similar to constructing a muscle.
You don’t get stronger by doing what’s simple. You get stronger by lifting a bit extra weight, pushing by yet another rep, and displaying up when it could be simpler to not. If you happen to can’t do one thing at the moment, that doesn’t imply you by no means will. It simply means you haven’t put in sufficient reps—but.
Every time you select discomfort as an alternative of ease, you’re coaching your thoughts such as you’d practice your physique. That’s how development works—bodily, mentally, and emotionally.
That is what Marines imply after we say, “Embrace the suck.” You don’t keep away from the exhausting stuff. You face it, again and again—till sooner or later, what used to really feel unattainable begins to really feel like energy.
That’s additionally what grit is.
Psychologist Angela Duckworth defines grit as “ardour and perseverance for long-term targets.” Not expertise. Not luck. Simply the power to maintain going—particularly when it’s exhausting, particularly when it’s sluggish.
And that’s excellent news. As a result of it means anybody can construct it.
You simply should do the reps.
4 Methods to Begin Constructing Energy Right now
- Select a Significant Problem: What’s one uncomfortable factor you’ve been avoiding—however know may result in one thing nice? Don’t watch for concern to fade. Let it information you.
- Begin Small, Begin Now: Don’t wait till you’re feeling prepared. Take one motion at the moment—ship the e-mail, communicate up, take step one. Confidence grows from motion.
- Count on Discomfort: Development comes with battle. When it feels exhausting, that’s not failure—it’s progress. That discomfort is the place energy is constructed.
- Rejoice the Effort: Don’t watch for a end line to really feel proud. Acknowledge your consistency and braveness. Most individuals cease when it’s exhausting. You gained’t.
A Ultimate Thought
The Marine Corps taught me to run towards the exhausting issues—not as a result of I used to be fearless, however as a result of development lives on the opposite aspect of problem.
So the subsequent time you’re tempted to take the straightforward route, ask your self: Is that this my rep at the moment? Is that this the place I get stronger?
If the reply is sure—lean in. Do the exhausting factor.
As a result of consolation doesn’t construct character. Problem does.
