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“Embrace the suck”: A former Marine’s lesson in turning struggle into success

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Quantico, Virginia, USA

May 26, 2025 1 Positive I'm focusing on career/side hustles

Quantico, Virginia, USA: Former Marine officer Jill Schulman reveals how the Corps’ mantra “embrace the suck” shaped her civilian career. During boot camp, she learned to confront tough situations rather than avoid them—a lesson she transferred to corporate life. By leaning into discomfort (like negotiating with difficult clients or tackling new skills head-on), Schulman found greater resilience and creativity. She urges workers to see adversity as fuel for growth, not a roadblock. Her approach resonates with many professionals who realize comfort zones can stall their progress. Schulman balances this with caution: rest matters too, so plan recovery time after major challenges.

What this means for you:

•	Within 2 weeks, reflect on any workplace hurdle you’ve been dreading—commit to confronting it head-on, even if it feels tough.
•	In 1–2 months, set a personal “stretch goal” at work, like leading an initiative outside your usual role. Small successes build momentum and confidence.
•	If job uncertainty causes anxiety, start a stress journal or mindfulness practice—embracing the suck doesn’t mean ignoring self-care.
•	Over 3–6 months, look for tasks others shy away from—often these challenges bring visibility and skill development that boost your career or side hustle.

Key Entities

• Jill Schulman – Ex–Marine officer turned executive coach, advocating “embrace the suck.”
• U.S. Marine Corps – Root of the mantra, teaching recruits to push through discomfort.
• Corporate professionals – Adopting military-inspired resilience techniques for workplace success.

Bias Distribution

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Multi-Perspective Analysis

Left-Leaning View

Stresses collaborative learning and personal well-being while tackling adversity.

Centrist View

Emphasizes workplace data on how managed stress can enhance productivity.

Right-Leaning View

(No major coverage).

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