NO PAIN, NO GAIN

 FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:

 

 

NO PAIN, NO GAIN

 

‘No pain, no gain’ is a famous phrase that insists on the fact that for success in life, we need to work hard. It essentially entails earnest, enlivening, electrifying, exhaustive, and energetic efforts and exertions - including extensive, enveloping, and encompassing endeavours - even unmindful of excruciating pain and enduring hardships to accomplish high-end results and earn encomiums. After all, there is nothing like a free lunch in this world. God also appreciates and rewards those who labour hard. Actually, it’s the short version of Benjamin Franklin’s quote, “There are no gains without pains.”

 

We can perhaps extend the analogy thus - No guts, no glory - No money, no honey - No strain, no success - No persistence, no progress - No perseverance, no pass - No determination, no good fortune - No backbreaking work, no benefit - No sweat, no sweet - No gumption, no going great guns.

 

Every prick or pain you put up with has a grain of gain in it.

 

The concept can be explained in different ways - Nothing succeeds without plan and pain - Nothing succeeds without toil - There is no success without hard work - Without labour, nothing prospers well.

 

A real-life example of ‘no pain, no gain’ could be found in an athlete who overcomes a grievous injury through intense physical therapy, pushing through pain to re-emerge fit and eagerly participating in his/her much-loved sports giving the best performance at the highest levels too, demonstrating to the world that hard work despite pangs of pain is the key to achieve the goal. If this is the case with normal persons, think of the differently-abled aspiring to achieve in any field, specifically sports at different levels - the Paralympics being the highest international platform.

 

The story of Kevin Ward, a rugby player who had a remarkable career despite a serious leg injury that nearly ended his career, is often cited as a ‘no pain, no gain’ example; he pushed through the pain of rehabilitation to return to the turf. Inspiring, isn’t it?

 

Another example is a medical student putting up long hours of intense study, undertaking painful academic learning, and engaging in strenuous practical training procedures and processes.

Yet another apt example can be found in many successful entrepreneurs, who started from scratch - the trials, tribulations, and ordeals they would have undergone including significant setbacks and chilling challenges during their business journeys, grappling with financial stress and unduly long hours of toiling transactions too but ultimately overcoming the obstacles to achieve their goals, demonstrating the ‘no pain, no gain’ concept in the commercial world and proving that small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

 

Needless to say, one cannot learn without pain. Sometimes, to gain something, you may have to lose something else.

 

There is no quick fix for success. Trying and toiling - the two sides of a coin - for multiple times if necessary - hold the key.

 

It’s worthwhile referring to the quote of Robert Kiyosaki, “Dreams are not easy. Dreams are painful. They force work and commitment. They are challenging yet motivating.”

 

Possibly, the struggle you are in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow.

 

A prophetic saying goes thus, “What comes easy won’t last long, and what lasts long won’t come easy.”

 

With all said and done, the risk of ‘There is many a slip between the cup and the lip’ cannot be altogether ruled out. However, failure is not just falling down; it rather comes from not getting up and bouncing back. At any cost, don’t give up. 

 

 

R.SAMPATH

23/1/2025