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Five years ago, George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer after Floyd was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill. His death ignited a series of protests in the United States that gave new energy to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, and which seemedat the timeto reshape society, online and offline. As the protests that were born out of Floyds death reached their zenith in June 2020, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote a poignant message: To members of our Black community: I stand with you. Your lives matter. Black lives matter. Zuckerberg also pledged that Meta would revise its content policies to tamp down on hate speech. At the same time, platforms like Twitternow Xtook the unprecedented step of limiting the reach of posts by then-sitting U.S. president Donald Trump, after he warned protestors in Minneapolis responding to Floyds death that When the looting starts, the shooting starts. Reddit updated its hate speech policy; TikTok had to apologize that its algorithm inadvertently suppressed BLM content. Five years on from Floyds death, a lot has changed, including social medias tolerance for hate speech, incitement to violence, and racism. Given the rollback of a lot of DEI friendly policies, Id say we can tell how performative those approaches were, says Carolina Are, a researcher at the Center for Digital Citizens at Northumbria University. Platforms are private companies, not public institutions despite their overshare of online civil space, so they will always seek to protect their bottom line, says tmítópé lasade-anderson, executive director at Glitch, a charity focused on digital rights. The end of DEI Perhaps one of the most obvious examples of that backsliding was Meta terminating its major diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs for hiring, training and picking suppliers in response to a changing approach to DEI within the United States. That change happened in January, as soon as Donald Trump took office as president. The ease with which those programs were rolled back hints at how firmly the statements made immediately after Floyd’s death were held within tech organizations. Companies of all stripes are conspicuously scaling back DEI programs for employees, and platforms are no exception, says Daphne Keller., director of the program on platform regulation at Stanford Universitys Cyber Policy Center. Keller says that change isnt just trying to reflect the political winds. The Trump administration has made it clear that companies risk having multi-million dollar mergers blocked or government contracts terminated if they do not eliminate efforts to diversify hiring, training, and promotion, she says. Its in that lighttech companies being threatened with losing out on cashthat the decisions are being made, Keller reckons. Meta did not respond to a request to comment for this story. The “free speech” platform In Elon Musks case, after he took over X, the company adopt new policies to allow more leeway for, Musk claimed, people to say things that could be offensive, but not illegal, while simultaneously. cracking down on the ability to say other words, such as cisgender. Hate speech and racist tweets rose by nearly half in the period after Elon Musk took over Twitter, according to a February 2025 study by researchers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Neither Musk nor Xs press office responded to a request for this story. In general Id say platforms have been aligning with anti-DEI initiatives, showing that their pro-BLM stances were entirely performative, says Are. Whether thats totally fair is uncertain. Roy Austin, a civil rights attorney of three decades standing who was hired as vice president for civil rights at Meta around six months after Floyds death, left the company in March 2025. His parting message was largely positive about his time at the company, while acknowledging the complexity and challenges of our work. (Austin declined to speak for this story.) Metas January winding back of its policies was roundly criticized by some of the same civil rights organizations who the social network had often called on to advise Meta on its decision-making. The platform had shown a cynical disregard for the diversity of its user base, the letter, organized by the nonprofit Common Cause, read. Yet Metas latest transparency report shows that hate speech has dropped on Facebook, from the average user encountering around 10 posts containing it for every 10,000 they saw, to around two today. That data stops, however, before the big change in January took place. What it looks like five years on from BLM protestors chanting No justice, no peace on streets around the United States will have to wait for the companys next transparency report.
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Embrace the suck. One of the first things you learn as a Marine is to “embrace the suck.” Not because it sounds toughbut because its how strength is forged. In todays world, where ease is glorified, we need to remember this truth: real strength comes from struggle. Before I became a leadership coach and positive psychology expert, I was a United States Marine Corps officer. I learned quickly that discomfort isnt a barrier to successits the path to it. And that truth still guides everything I do. You dont build strength by avoiding discomfort. You build it by seeking it. We live in a world where ease is glorifiedbut that pursuit is costing us our edge. Discomfort might feel inconvenient in the moment, but its the only thing that builds real confidence, grit, and growth. Earning the Title of United States Marine At 18, I flew from Minnesota to San Diego to begin Naval ROTCexcited, nervous, and wearing an outfit I thought would impress: hot pink polka-dot shorts, matching pumps, and a fresh manicure. Within hours, a senior candidate looked me over and said: Youll never make it as a Marine. Part of me believed him. I struggled. I couldnt keep up on the runs. I felt out of place. The only other female candidate quit. I was aloneand barely hanging on. But I didnt quit. I showed up, failed, kept going. And three years later, I graduated from Officer Candidate School as my universitys top finisher. That experience taught me something thats more relevant today than everespecially in a world of uncertainty, pressure, and burnout: seek discomfort day after day, and it will transform you. You dont feel strong at the start. But with each mile, each decision, and each refusal to quityou build it. Thats what grit looks like. And eventually, it changes who you are. What the Science Says About Discomfort Positive psychology research backs this up. Studies show that well-being doesnt come from avoiding strugglebut from pursuing meaning, engagement, and accomplishment, all of which require effort and discomfort. Research also confirms that gritnot talentis what sets high achievers apart. And neuroscience reveals that repeated effort under challenge helps the brain adapt and grow stronger. The Marine Corps taught me that long before I had the science to prove it. Everyday Acts of Discomfort You dont need a battlefield to build strength. Some of the most powerful moments of growth happen in everyday life: Telling the truth when silence feels safer Asking for help when youd rather pretend youve got it handled Speaking up when your heart is pounding Applying for that stretch assignment even though its scary These arent dramatic, but they are defining. They might not earn you medalsbut they build something more important: A life you respect. A mind that doesnt fold under pressure. The kind of grit thats becoming far too rare. Each time you lean into discomfort instead of away from it, you expand what you believe youre capable of. You sharpen your edge. You build mental muscle. The Power of Reps Marines dont build confidence from motivational speeches. We build it through reps. Cold. Muddy. Repetitive. Uncomfortable. But thats exactly the point: strength isnt forged in a single defining moment. Its built through small, repeated actsday after day, rep after rep. Its just like building a muscle. You dont get stronger by doing whats easy. You get stronger by lifting a little more weight, pushing through one more rep, and showing up when it would be easier not to. If you cant do something today, that doesnt mean you never will. It just means you havent put in enough repsyet. Each time you choose discomfort instead of ease, youre training your mind like youd train your body. Thats how growth worksphysically, mentally, and emotionally. This is what Marines mean when we say, Embrace the suck. You dont avoid the hard stuff. You face it, over and over againuntil one day, what used to feel impossible starts to feel like strength. Thats also what grit is. Psychologist Angela Duckworth defines grit as passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Not talent. Not luck. Just the ability to keep goingespecially when its hard, especially when its slow. And thats good news. Because it means anyone can build it.You just have to do the reps. Four Ways to Start Building Strength Today Choose a Meaningful Challenge: Whats one uncomfortable thing youve been avoidingbut know could lead to something great? Dont wait for fear to vanish. Let it guide you. Start Small, Start Now: Dont wait until you feel ready. Take one action todaysend the email, speak up, take the first step. Confidence grows from action. Expect Discomfort: Growth comes with struggle. When it feels hard, thats not failureits progress. That discomfort is where strength is built. Celebrate the Effort: Dont wait for a finish line to feel proud. Acknowledge your consistency and courage. Most people stop when its hard. You wont. A Final Thought The Marine Corps taught me to run toward the hard thingsnot because I was fearless, but because growth lives on the other side of challenge. So the next time youre tempted to take the easy route, ask yourself: Is this my rep today? Is this where I get stronger? If the answer is yeslean in. Do the hard thing. Because comfort doesnt build character. Challenge does.
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E-Commerce
Technology can be a double-edged sword. The right amount can fuel productivity, but too much can become a time waste. As with most things, the key is striking a healthy balance. Unfortunately, the deck is stacked against you. Apps and websites are designed to grab and hold your attention. So, how do successful people resist? High-achievers use technology as a tool, not a distraction, says Sachin Puri, chief growth officer at the web-hosting provider Liquid Web. They make productivity apps their first priority, plan for intentional screen time, and select platforms intentionally. They may spend lots of time on screens, but they set boundaries where they need to, so that technology enhances their performance, rather than slowing it down. To determine how high-achievers leverage tech, Liquid Web surveyed six-figure earners who excel in their careers to discover the habits and strategies they use to maximize productivity and minimize time wasting. Here’s what they found: They Are Intentional with Screen Time High-achievers spend an average of seven hours a day on their computers, which is a good chunk of time. However, they are primarily focused on activities that fall under the productivity umbrella, choosing sites that enhance and not hinder their career growth. On average, they also limit phone use to three hours per day on things that could be deemed entertainment. This seems to suggest that they believe all work and no play can make a person dull. High-achievers spend significant time on their screens but with clear intent, says Puri. This contrasts sharply with average Americans, who spend 23% more time on their phones. They Go Tech-free (Sometimes) Forty-four percent of these high-achievers take daily tech breaks to better manage screen time and boost focus and well-being. While this is still the minority, it is a higher number than average Americans, 38% of whom take daily tech-free breaks. They use these breaks with intention, viewing them as a way to reset focus and maintain productivity rather than escape from work, says Puri. Instead of stepping away aimlessly, they use this time strategically to enhance their performance and mental clarity. Tech breaks happen both during and outside work hours, depending on individual routines. For example, some high-performers may take short breaks during the day to sustain productivity, while others may choose to unplug in the evening or on weekends to separate work from personal life. Regardless of timing, the key is using breaks strategically to maintain performance, says Puri. They Choose Tools for Productivity High-achievers also select their tech tools with an eye on efficiency, the survey discovered. For example, two thirds rely on calendar and scheduling tools, and 40% use AI chatbots to stay ahead of deadlines, optimize workflows, automate repetitive tasks, assist with brainstorming new ideas, and summarize lengthy pieces of information. Compared to average Americans, successful individuals were 32% more likely to use calendar and scheduling tools and 11% more likely to rely on AI chatbots to optimize their workflows, says Puri. These tools have enabled them to maintain focus, manage time effectively, and achieve their goals more efficiently. They Focus Their Social Media Habits Finally, high-achievers are mindful of social media. For example, 49% avoid TikTok entirely. Instead, they gravitate toward sites that offer a career-related benefit. Nearly 40% use Reddit as their most popular platform for learning and engagement. Successful people are also much more engaged on LinkedIn. Only 17% of high-achievers said they dont use the professional networking site, compared to 38% of average Americans who arent engaged there. Many high-achievers don’t give up on screens altogetherthey just shift their focus, says Puri. Their social media habits show it, with many opting for interactive, discussion-based apps such as Reddit over passive scroll-based apps such as TikTok. The lesson here is that screen time isnt always a time suck. Its where your attention goes that can help or hinder your success.
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E-Commerce
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