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Welcome to another edition of the 1% Habits Newsletter!

This is where you’ll get up-to-date information on small wins to improve your habits, productivity, and life satisfaction. 

Let’s get to it.

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📈 How to Push Through When Things Get Tough

If you’ve been following my recent emails, you know I’ve been sharing my journey with building a new “Faceless Video” business. If you’ve missed any of these stories, you can catch up here:

● The Secret to Learning (Almost) Anything for Free

● How I’m Using Tiny Projects to Learn New Skills

● Why You Need More Failed Projects (Seriously)

It’s been an exciting experience—learning new skills, experimenting with different video styles, and navigating the ups and downs of starting something from scratch.

But let’s be real: it hasn’t all been fun or easy. In fact, there have been plenty of moments where it just… sucked. Sometimes I struggle with a new technique and can’t seem to get it right. Other times, I get negative feedback that stings a little more than I’d like to admit. It’s humbling and, honestly, uncomfortable.

But these are exactly the moments when I’ve had to remind myself of a powerful principle: embrace the suck.

What Does “Embrace the Suck” Mean?

The phrase “embrace the suck” has its roots in military culture, especially during the 2003 War in Iraq. Soldiers faced unimaginable circumstances every day, and this mantra became a way to acknowledge that things won’t always be easy—in fact, sometimes they’ll be downright miserable. But you push through anyway. More recently, the phrase gained wider popularity thanks to Brent Gleeson’s book, Embrace the Suck.

At its core, this philosophy is about accepting discomfort, not running from it. When we “embrace the suck,” we challenge ourselves to try new things, expand our horizons, and grow as individuals—even when it’s hard.

As Peter McWilliams, a best-selling self-help author, put it:

It’s a truth that applies to every part of life: growth rarely happens in comfort.

So, how can you build this grit into your own journey? Here are five lessons I’ve learned (and keep learning) on the path to embracing the suck.

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1. You Have to Figure It Out

Life is full of challenges and obstacles that can make us feel stuck or helpless. But the only way forward is to figure things out, even when they seem impossible.

When I hit a wall with a new video technique or get stuck on a project, I remind myself: there’s always a way to make progress. Sometimes it means waking up early to get a fresh perspective. Sometimes it’s about finding inspiration from others, or simply keeping a positive attitude when things feel overwhelming.

The feeling of accomplishment that comes from overcoming a challenge is incredibly empowering. So instead of giving up, dig deep and push past the hurdles. You’ll surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

2. Persevere

Let’s face it: we all have to do things we don’t want to do. Maybe it’s a tedious work task, a tough conversation, or just dragging yourself to the gym.

But often, the things we resist most are the things we need most. They challenge us, help us build new skills, and teach us about ourselves. Some of my most rewarding breakthroughs have come from pushing through tough moments—not from the easy wins.

When you persevere and refuse to quit, you come out stronger and more resilient on the other side.

3. Practice What You Dread

We all have tasks we dread—public speaking, going to the dentist, even just doing chores. It’s tempting to put these off or avoid them altogether, but avoidance only makes things harder in the long run.

Instead, try practicing the things you dread in smaller, lower-stakes situations. Nervous about public speaking? Start by talking in front of a small group of friends. Hate doing chores? Build a mini routine so it becomes second nature.

By facing discomfort head-on, you become better prepared for when it really counts. And if you ever struggle to take action, remember the “focus on your thing” strategy I’ve discussed in previous videos. Sometimes, just starting is the hardest part.

4. Accept Personal Responsibility for Your Feelings

It’s easy to blame circumstances or other people for how we feel. But real growth comes from accepting responsibility for our own emotions and reactions.

This doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. It means owning your feelings and taking steps toward positive change. When you do this, you become empowered to address the root causes of negative emotions and make meaningful progress.

5. Build a Routine

Embracing the suck isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a habit. The more you practice pushing through discomfort, the more automatic it becomes.

That could mean tackling tough projects first thing in the morning, making exercise a non-negotiable part of your day, or regularly stepping outside your comfort zone in small ways. Over time, you’ll find that grit and resilience become second nature.

Of course, none of this is easy. There are days when motivation is low and the path forward seems unclear. But the rewards—greater confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment—are always worth it.

Your Action Plan

If you want to start embracing the suck in your own life, here’s a simple plan:

1. Identify one thing you’ve been avoiding—a task, a conversation, a habit.

2. Break it down into smaller steps. What’s the tiniest action you can take today?

3. Schedule it. Put it on your calendar or daily to-do list.

4. Do it, even if it’s uncomfortable. Remind yourself that discomfort is temporary, but growth lasts.

5. Reflect. After you’ve done it, take a moment to notice how you feel. Celebrate the small win.

Remember, the point isn’t to seek out misery. It’s to recognize that discomfort is part of the process—and that by embracing it, you open the door to real progress and fulfillment.

So next time you hit a rough patch, whether it’s in a new business, a personal goal, or just everyday life, remind yourself: embrace the suck. Push through. There’s something good waiting for you on the other side.

Talk soon,

Steve

📺 Today’s Featured Video

Our featured video this week unpacks five key lessons from The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. This powerful approach is all about letting go of the urge to control what others think, say, or do—and instead, focusing on your own growth and resilience. It’s a concept that pairs perfectly with the “Embrace the Suck” mindset: both encourage you to accept discomfort, face challenges head-on, and stop wasting energy on things outside your control. When you “let them” be who they are, and you commit to pushing through your own tough moments, you free up space to grow stronger and more confident, no matter what life throws your way.

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