--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's no way I know, to get through the…" description: "\"There's no way I know, to get through the pain of a startup without belief that the mission really matters.\" — Sam Altman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/sam-altman-1494_belief_there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the_249701.png" --- # There's no way I know, to get through the pain of a… ![“There's no way I know, to get through the pain of a startup without belief that the mission really matters.” quote by Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/sam-altman-1494_belief_there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the_249701.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/sam-altman-1494_belief_there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the_249701.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/sam-altman-1494_belief_there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the_249701.png) > “There's no way I know, to get through the pain of a startup without belief that the mission really matters.” [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Belief in a mission is crucial to endure startup hardships; without purpose, pain becomes overwhelming **In simple terms:** Mission belief eases startup pain Key Takeaway Align work with purpose Themes entrepreneurship purpose motivation Mood focused optimistic Type motivational pragmatic When to use this quote - product development - fundraising - team building - crisis management Key Concepts Mission‑driven leadership psychology of belief Questions to Reflect On - How do you test mission relevance? - What if mission falters? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on mission can ignore practical problems ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Entrepreneurship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entrepreneurship/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) ## Related quotes > [“leadership requires belief in the mission and unyielding perseverance to achieve victory, particularly when doubters question whether victory is even possible. As”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jocko-willink/leadership-requires-belief-in-the-mission-and-unyielding-perseverance/) [Jocko Willink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jocko-willink/) > [I don't believe I have a mission. Sometimes I really have a spiritual need to say something more general about the world, and sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wislawa-szymborska/i-don-t-believe-i-have-a-mission-sometimes-i-really-have-a-spiritual/) [Wislawa Szymborska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wislawa-szymborska/) > [That's my mission: I really want to get in the heads and hearts of kids and persuade them that they can believe things they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-stevenson/that-s-my-mission-i-really-want-to-get-in-the-heads-and-hearts-of/) [Bryan Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-stevenson/) > [In the early stage of a startup, hiring senior people is usually a mistake. You just want people that get stuff done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/in-the-early-stage-of-a-startup-hiring-senior-people-is-usually-a/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [If someone is choosing between joining McKinsey or your startup it's very unlikely they're going to work out at the startup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/if-someone-is-choosing-between-joining-mckinsey-or-your-startup-it-s/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [The startups that do well are the ones that are working all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/the-startups-that-do-well-are-the-ones-that-are-working-all-the-time/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [When it comes to starting startups, in many ways, it's easier to start a hard startup than an easy startup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/when-it-comes-to-starting-startups-in-many-ways-it-s-easier-to-start/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [We hear again and again from founders, that they wish they had waited to start a startup until they came up with an idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/we-hear-again-and-again-from-founders-that-they-wish-they-had-waited/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [Whatever the founder cares about, whatever the founders think are the key goals, that's going to be what the whole company focusses on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/whatever-the-founder-cares-about-whatever-the-founders-think-are-the/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [It's better to have no cofounder than to have a bad cofounder, but it's still bad to be a solo founder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/it-s-better-to-have-no-cofounder-than-to-have-a-bad-cofounder-but-it/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [You can have a startup and one other thing, you can have a family, but you probably can't have many other things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/you-can-have-a-startup-and-one-other-thing-you-can-have-a-family-but/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [Startups are very hard no matter what you do; you may as well go after a big opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/startups-are-very-hard-no-matter-what-you-do-you-may-as-well-go-after/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [Startups are not the best choice for work-life balance, and that's sort of just the sad reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/startups-are-not-the-best-choice-for-work-life-balance-and-that-s/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [The thing that kills startups at some level, is the founders giving up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/the-thing-that-kills-startups-at-some-level-is-the-founders-giving-up/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [One thing I tell startups all the time is that the best way to grow is to make their product better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/one-thing-i-tell-startups-all-the-time-is-that-the-best-way-to-grow/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) ## More by Sam Altman > [The best people know that they should join a rocketship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/the-best-people-know-that-they-should-join-a-rocketship/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [You really want to know your cofounders for a while, ideally years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/you-really-want-to-know-your-cofounders-for-a-while-ideally-years/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [Employees will only add more value over time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/employees-will-only-add-more-value-over-time/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [One thing I tell startups all the time is that the best way to grow is to make their product better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/one-thing-i-tell-startups-all-the-time-is-that-the-best-way-to-grow/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [A winning team feels good and keeps winning. A team that hasn't won in a while gets demotivated and keeps losing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/a-winning-team-feels-good-and-keeps-winning-a-team-that-hasn-t-won-in/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [You're either not hiring at all or it's probably your single biggest block of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/you-re-either-not-hiring-at-all-or-it-s-probably-your-single-biggest/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [The thing that kills startups at some level, is the founders giving up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/the-thing-that-kills-startups-at-some-level-is-the-founders-giving-up/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [Execution gets divided into two key questions: 1) can you figure out what to do and 2) can you get it done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/execution-gets-divided-into-two-key-questions-1-can-you-figure-out/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [If you want something in a deal, just ask for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/if-you-want-something-in-a-deal-just-ask-for-it/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [Most things are not as risky as they seem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/most-things-are-not-as-risky-as-they-seem/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [I prefer to invest in a company that's going after a small but rapidly growing market than a big but slow growing one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/i-prefer-to-invest-in-a-company-that-s-going-after-a-small-but/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [Startups are not the best choice for work-life balance, and that's sort of just the sad reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/startups-are-not-the-best-choice-for-work-life-balance-and-that-s/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [One of the biggest advantages that start ups have is execution speed and you have to have this relentless operating rhythm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/one-of-the-biggest-advantages-that-start-ups-have-is-execution-speed/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [One of the keys to focus, and why I said cofounders that aren't friends really struggle, is that you can't be focused without good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/one-of-the-keys-to-focus-and-why-i-said-cofounders-that-aren-t/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [Startups are very hard no matter what you do; you may as well go after a big opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/startups-are-very-hard-no-matter-what-you-do-you-may-as-well-go-after/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) [Explore all 235 Sam Altman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's no way I know, to get through the pain of a startup without belief that the mission really matters.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sam Altman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the-pain-of-a-startup-without/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Belief" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the-pain-of-a-startup-without/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/sam-altman-1494_belief_there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the_249701.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/sam-altman-1494_belief_there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the_249701.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/sam-altman-1494_belief_there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the_249701.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There's no way I know, to get through the pain of a startup without belief that the mission really matters.” — Sam Altman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sam Altman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There's no way I know, to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the-pain-of-a-startup-without/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/there-s-no-way-i-know-to-get-through-the-pain-of-a-startup-without/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```