Struggle Is Temporary; Quitting Makes It Permanent: 7 Steps to Turn Struggle into Success

Life has a way of testing us, often at the most inconvenient times. You might be facing obstacles that seem insurmountable, challenges that drain your energy, or setbacks that shake your confidence. It’s in these moments—when the weight of the world feels unbearable—that we start questioning if our efforts are worth it. But let me remind you of something crucial: Struggle is temporary; quitting makes it permanent. In this article, you will discover 7 steps to help you turn your struggle into success.

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A Story of Resilience

It was 1995. A young woman sat in a tiny apartment, struggling to make ends meet. She had just gone through a painful divorce, was raising a child alone, and was battling depression. Every night, she wrote in cafes, hoping that her story would one day matter. But rejection after rejection poured in—twelve publishers had turned her down. She had every reason to quit, to believe that her dream of becoming an author was impossible. But she didn’t.

That woman was J.K. Rowling, and the story she refused to give up on was Harry Potter. Today, her books have sold over 500 million copies worldwide, proving that struggle is temporary—but quitting makes failure permanent.

Now, think about your own journey. Have you ever felt like giving up? Have you ever been so overwhelmed by challenges that quitting seemed like the only option? Before you walk away from your dreams, consider this: What if success is just on the other side of your current struggle? Keep reading, because your breakthrough might be closer than you think.

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Struggle: The Price of Growth

Struggle is not your enemy—it’s your training ground. It’s the process that refines you, toughens you, and prepares you for the success that lies ahead. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, every failure a lesson to be learned, and every obstacle a stepping stone to something greater.

Consider the greatest achievers in history. Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before inventing the light bulb. Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first television job. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, but he used that failure as fuel to become one of the greatest athletes in history. They all had moments where quitting would have seemed like the easiest option. But they didn’t quit. They pushed through. And that made all the difference.

The Darkest Moments Come Before Breakthrough

Have you ever noticed that just when things seem unbearable, just when you’re about to give up, something shifts? That’s because struggle is often the precursor to a breakthrough. The pain, frustration, and doubt are signs that you’re on the verge of something significant.

Howard Schultz, the man behind Starbucks, was turned down by over 200 investors before securing funding for his coffee shop vision. Colonel Sanders of KFC faced more than 1,000 rejections before his fried chicken recipe found a home. If they had given up after their first, tenth, or even hundredth rejection, the world would have never known their success.

It’s easy to believe that struggle means you’re doing something wrong. But in reality, struggle means you’re growing. The caterpillar doesn’t become a butterfly without first struggling inside its cocoon. A diamond isn’t formed without intense pressure. Muscles don’t grow stronger without resistance. The same principle applies to your life.

The Consequences of Quitting

While struggle is temporary, quitting ensures that you never get past your challenges. It locks you into the very life you’re trying to change. It stops progress dead in its tracks and ensures that you never see the rewards of your efforts.

Quitting isn’t just about walking away from a goal; it’s about walking away from potential, from opportunities, from becoming the best version of yourself. And worst of all? The regret that follows is far more painful than any temporary struggle.

The Pain of Regret Lasts Longer Than the Pain of Struggle

Regret is a heavy burden. It lingers in your mind, whispering, “What if?” and “If only I had tried a little harder.” While struggle is difficult, it’s temporary. But the pain of giving up—knowing that you were this close to a breakthrough—can last a lifetime.

Take the story of Sylvester Stallone, who struggled with poverty, rejection, and homelessness before selling his Rocky script and starring in it. If he had quit after the first rejection, he would have never become an icon. Regret is knowing you had a shot but didn’t take it. Don’t let that be your story.

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7 Steps to Turn Struggle into Success

When you’re in the thick of struggle, it can be hard to see a way out. But here’s how you can keep pushing forward:

1. Remember Why You Started

The reason you began this journey is still valid. Go back to that original motivation—the dream, the passion, the purpose that ignited your fire in the first place. When things get tough, let that drive push you forward.

Example: If you’re building a business, remember the excitement you felt when you first started. Think about why you wanted to create something of your own instead of working for someone else.

2. Visualize Your Future Self

Imagine the version of yourself who has already overcome this struggle. See yourself as the person who refused to quit, who persevered through the hardest times and came out victorious. That future version of you is depending on your persistence today.

Example: Many athletes, like Serena Williams, use visualization to see themselves winning before they actually do. If they can do it, so can you.

3. Break It Down

Sometimes, struggle feels overwhelming because we’re looking at the entire journey instead of just the next step. Break your goal into small, manageable tasks. Focus on what you can do today rather than what still remains ahead.

Example: If you’re writing a book, don’t focus on the 300 pages ahead—just commit to writing one page a day.

4. Seek Support

You don’t have to go through struggle alone. Lean on mentors, friends, and family. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, who remind you of your strength when you feel weak.

Example: Elon Musk, despite all his success, surrounds himself with mentors and experts to keep learning and growing.

5. Embrace the Process

Shift your mindset from seeing struggle as an obstacle to seeing it as part of the process. Growth isn’t supposed to be comfortable. If you’re struggling, it means you’re stretching beyond your comfort zone—and that’s a good thing.

Example: Think of actors like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who went from failed football dreams to wrestling to Hollywood superstardom. His struggles shaped his journey.

6. Reframe Your Perspective on Failure

Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of it. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and come back stronger. The most successful people aren’t those who never failed, but those who never allowed failure to stop them.

Example: Steve Jobs was fired from his own company but later returned to revolutionize technology with the iPhone. His failure set the stage for greater success.

7. Take a Break, But Don’t Quit

There’s a difference between taking a break and giving up. If you’re feeling burned out, rest. Reset. Recharge. But don’t let exhaustion make the decision to quit for you.

Example: Athletes like LeBron James take strategic breaks to recover but never quit training altogether.

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You Don’t Have to Be the Best—Just Relentless

You don’t have to be the most talented, the smartest, or the luckiest person in the room. You just have to be the one who refuses to quit. Success is often about persistence more than anything else. It’s about showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s about pushing forward, even when progress seems slow.

Life rewards those who keep going. The road may be long, but every step you take brings you closer to your dreams. Struggle is temporary, but the success you earn from pushing through? That lasts forever.

Takeaway: Struggle is Temporary

Think about the challenges you’ve already overcome. You’ve made it through tough times before, and you’ll do it again. You are stronger than you think, and you are capable of more than you realize.

No matter how hard life gets, remember that every challenge is shaping you into something stronger. This article is a powerful reminder to keep going when times get tough. The pain you’re facing today is only temporary — but quitting will make it permanent. Push through, stay focused, and trust the process. Your breakthrough is closer than you think.

So when you feel like giving up, remind yourself: This struggle is temporary. My success will be permanent. Keep fighting. Keep believing. Keep going. Your breakthrough is just around the corner.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

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