“Never give up. Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will be sunshine.”
— Jack Ma
Success stories often begin in the darkest of times. Struggles, setbacks, and sleepless nights are the rites of passage for anyone walking the road less traveled. Jack Ma’s words remind us of this eternal truth—that hardship is a season, not a sentence. And those who dare to press forward, despite the pain and pressure, will find themselves basking in the sunshine of success.
In a world obsessed with instant gratification, it’s easy to give up when things don’t go according to plan. We want results now. Relief now. Recognition now. But life doesn’t reward the hasty—it honors the resilient. If you’re going through a tough season, or feel like giving up, let this message be the spark that reignites your fire.
Today Is Hard
Everyone has a “today.” A chapter filled with confusion, hardship, and fear. It’s the job you lost. The business that won’t take off. The rejection letter you didn’t expect. The heartbreak you didn’t see coming. Today is when doubt creeps in and whispers, “Maybe you’re not cut out for this.”
But here’s the truth: hardships are not stop signs—they’re stepping stones.
Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, knows hardship intimately. Before he became one of the richest men in the world, he was rejected from more than 30 jobs—including KFC. He applied to Harvard ten times and was rejected every single time. Most people would have given up, labeled themselves a failure, and shrunk back into the shadows.
But Jack Ma understood that the pain of today is part of the process.
Success doesn't come wrapped in comfort. It comes dressed as long nights, difficult choices, and lonely paths. The difficulty you face today is not a punishment—it’s preparation. It’s training your character, developing your grit, and sharpening your focus.
So when today feels hard, remind yourself: this is the price champions pay.
Tomorrow Will Be Worse
It’s not exactly what we want to hear, is it?
We hope that things will get better quickly—that the universe will throw us a break. But tomorrow, as Jack Ma warned, might be even more difficult. That’s because progress doesn’t follow a straight line. It often dips before it soars. Right before your breakthrough is usually your greatest battle.
But this isn’t a reason to despair.
This is a warning to brace yourself—not break yourself.
Growth hurts. Whether you’re building a business, chasing a dream, healing from loss, or rebuilding your life, the phase after starting is often the most brutal. You’ve used up your excitement. Your energy is fading. You’re not seeing results. You start wondering if any of this is worth it.
That’s the “tomorrow” Jack Ma is talking about—the day when quitting seems like the most logical option.
But listen: you must keep going.
Because while tomorrow may be worse, it’s also the final test. It’s the moment life asks: How bad do you want this?
And those who push through tomorrow’s pain find what others never do—the reward of the day after.
The Day After Tomorrow Will Be Sunshine
This is where everything changes.
This is when all the doors that were once closed begin to open. When the effort pays off, the vision comes to life, and the dream becomes reality. But only for those who didn’t quit on themselves when it was dark.
Sunshine is not accidental. It is earned.
Every breakthrough comes after breakdown. Every sunrise follows the night. Every success story was once a survival story.
The “sunshine” Jack Ma refers to is not just wealth or fame—it’s clarity, purpose, peace, and the joy of knowing you overcame. It’s the confidence that comes from endurance. It’s the kind of satisfaction you can’t buy, only build.
Let this be a promise to your soul: you will see sunshine. But not if you give up in the storm.
What You Can Do Right Now
If you’re in the “today” or “tomorrow” phase, here are five things you can do to stay strong and stay in the fight:
- Remember Why You Started
Reconnect with your original motivation. What drove you to start this journey? Write it down. Feel it again. - Focus on What You Can Control
You can’t control the world. But you can control your actions, your attitude, and your habits. Master those, and momentum will follow. - Embrace the Pain, Don’t Resist It
Pain is part of growth. Instead of wishing it away, let it teach you. Let it refine you. It won’t last forever. - Surround Yourself With Fighters, Not Quitters
Energy is contagious. Find people who are pressing forward, even when it’s tough. Their strength will pull you up when yours runs low. - Talk to Your Future Self
Imagine yourself three years from now—stronger, wiser, successful. Ask them: “Was the struggle worth it?” The answer is always yes.
Closing Thoughts: Don’t Stop on the Second Day
Jack Ma didn’t say “if” the sunshine comes. He said it will.
But only for those who last.
If you stop on the second day, you’ll never know how close you were. Most people give up right before the miracle happens. Don’t let that be your story.
Success is not for the most talented or the most lucky. It’s for the most relentless. The ones who show up, again and again, even when it’s hard, even when it hurts, even when no one believes.
So if today is hard, and tomorrow looks worse, take heart.
Because the day after tomorrow… there will be sunshine.
And when that day comes, you’ll look back and realize:
The struggle didn’t break you. It built you.
Keep going. You’re almost there.
