The Purpose of Pain in Business: A Call to Action, Not Suffering
Michael Johnston ★ Business Breakthrough Strategist
Internationally recognised Business Breakthrough Strategist Associate Contributor – The Six Figure Coach Magazine, Business Coach, Marketing Consultant, Social Media Consultant, Speaker, Strategist
"The purpose of pain is to move us to action. It is NOT to make us suffer."
Pain in business is inevitable. Whether it’s a project that didn’t go as planned, financial pressure, or the weight of trying to juggle too many responsibilities, every entrepreneur knows what it feels like to hit a wall. But what if I told you that pain is not here to break us, but rather, to drive us forward?
Pain as a Catalyst for Growth
Pain is often misunderstood. Many see it as a reason to quit, to give in, or to avoid risk altogether. But what separates successful business owners from those who struggle is how they interpret and respond to pain.
Think about it: the most transformative moments in your business likely came after a setback or challenge. Those sleepless nights? They taught you something—whether it was the importance of adapting, finding new solutions, or simply digging deeper into your resilience. Pain is a signal that something needs to change, not a punishment for our efforts.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Entrepreneurs are constantly learning to adapt to the changing landscape. From new technology to shifting market demands, our business environment is never stagnant. Pain shows up when we resist that change. It’s our reminder that we need to evolve.
The key isn’t to shy away from it, but to see it as a message: take action. When you lean into the discomfort, you gain the insight and the drive to take your business to the next level.
Here’s a thought experiment: Think of the last time your business faced a serious challenge. Did you freeze? Or did you pivot and find a new path forward? Chances are, the breakthroughs that followed were because you chose to act, not to stay stuck.
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Don’t Make It Worse by Staying Stuck
The worst thing you can do is ignore pain or let it consume you. When we allow ourselves to get trapped in the mindset of suffering, we stop moving forward. That’s where frustration, burnout, and stagnation creep in.
Instead, view pain as a motivator. What can you learn? What needs to change? Where can you take action today to prevent that same pain from returning tomorrow?
Taking the Leap
In business, you’ll always face obstacles—it’s inevitable. But whether you allow those obstacles to hold you back or push you forward is entirely within your control.
At Elevate Rise – Business Beyond Ordinary, we focus on empowering business owners to move past their limits and turn challenges into opportunities for growth. It’s about refusing to settle for ordinary results and pushing toward extraordinary outcomes.
The next time you're facing a challenge in your business, remind yourself: pain is a call to action—not an excuse for suffering. What you do next will define your future success.
Follow me for more insights on how to turn adversity into opportunity, and for proven strategies to grow your business beyond the ordinary.