Suffering is the essence of success: This quote by Abdul Kalam talks to us about the challenges that we face in the journey of success. We may question whether it is right to call this suffering. We will discuss mor about this as we explore the meaning of this quote and identify some practical steps on how we can suffer for success.
Suffering is the essence of success – Abdul Kalam Motivational Quotes
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Suffering is the essence of Success Meaning
Most success stories we’ve heard or read about refer to suffering. In most movies, this suffering is glorified because it makes an excellent story. In reality, the types of suffering are different. For most, this type of suffering is emotional rather than logistic or physical.
If we can get into the mindset where we enjoy the journey – suffering vanishes into thin air. This is what Kalam means about suffering is the essence of success. You will find suffering all along the journey. It is at the core of success because suffering never leaves you. Hence it forms the central meaning of Abdul Kalam’s quote on suffering. You can’t progress without it. The idea of a rosy path without challenges is a myth – success will always demand some level of suffering and sacrifice.
Inspiration from – Suffering is the essence of success quote
This is the central point in this quote by Abdul Kalam. Suffering is the essence because it will test how badly we want something. This suffering will also make us do things that we normally don’t do. Ultimately at each point, we need to keep questioning why we are doing this. As long as we find motivation within us and strong reasons about why we are doing something – we can find success along the journey. Not only that, we will also be able to enjoy it.
No success is going to be easy. It will demand hard work, motivation and commitment to give us the results. Sometimes, it takes longer to get to the results and appears in forms that we didn’t anticipate. But this is the journey of success.
It was never promised to be easy. There’s a bit of struggle no matter what journey we take. We have to choose either take it as a part of the journey and find ways to move ahead. The most important thing is that we can’t afford to get stuck.
Suffering is the essence of success – Shareable Quote
I appreciate what Abdul Kalam says about suffering i.e. hard work, perseverance and facing disappointments, I’m also against suffering as a precondition for success. Our journey should be fun because it isn’t the results that matter in the end. It is about the journey we take and how we feel about it in the long run.

Practical Steps and advice on suffering for success
Let’s talk a little more about the practical steps we can take to treat suffering as the essence of success. Morally if we agree that suffering is a part and parcel of success, the question still is – how to deal with life when our success journey feels like suffering. We may even reword this with the question – how to deal with suffering in our journey of success.
How to deal with suffering
- Recognise suffering: Too many people suffer from mental health problems because they either deny or fail to recognise when they are suffering. This is the first step – to be honest to ourselves and identify when to ask for help
- Ask for help: Vulnerability is important – please don’t take it personally. If you are suffering, please talk to someone about it. There are various forms of help available including therapy, but the main thing is to ensure that you are not suffering in silence (Reasons why it is good to ask for help)
- Respect the pain: It is a part of the journey for everyone. Remind yourself of this quote from Kalam – suffering is the essence of success. No one escapes it, not even you. Respect the pain, feel it and see what you can do about it. Avoidance is not an option, you’ll need to find a way to get through it.
- Look ahead, find paths of progress: The worst part of suffering is when you stagante. Find small successes or steps that you can take to move forward from this suffering. Progress is more important than the final point of success because it keeps the journey exciting and fun.
- Do Something: I will leave you with this final practical step while thinking about suffering is the essence of success. Actions are the only reasons why something can happen or change. No matter how much we think about something, life will remain still. Do something – that’s where change occurs and you will move forward from suffering.
Suffering is the essence of success – Abdul Kalam Motivational Quotes
Life is suffering, as the Buddha said. You’ve given that suffering a positive tinge. 👍