Do you agree with Jane Fonda’s favorite exercise motto, “no pain, no gain?” Is it impossible to attain greatness without considerable hardship?

“No pain, no gain” —that is a universal maxim, believed by most and denied by few.

But I note you have attached a rider—greatness. What if someone wants to be merely good? I jest.

If we wish to achieve something, we need to endure pains to get there. However, what we do not need are unconnected, indirect or neighboring miseries that can be a drag on performance.

Those torments need to be grappled with first before attempting to be Atlas—however worn and weary.

Address the agony; then fly light.

PS: Make sure the baggage you are tackling is yours.