One day a bright student wishing to be successful put this question to Socrates.

Teacher, I have studied many years with you and even though I have learned many
things I still have not learned the secret to success or what it really takes to be
successful. Please train me in this mystery.
Socrates looked at his student with a thoughtful expression and after a long pause,
he responded. My son, the secret is within each one of us if we only truly want
it. If you walk with me, I will take you to the river of life and show you.

They walked side by side in silence for a while and upon reaching the river
Socrates spoke. My son, bend down here by the edge of the river and stare deeply
at these flowing waters. As the student bent down beside the river Socrates took
him by the neck and plunged his head into the water. After only a few seconds (that
felt like eternity to the young man), he started struggling to get his head out of
the water. He writhed under the grasp of Socrates, gasping for a breath.

After a couple of minutes, suddenly some inner strength burst into the young man
and he pushed himself out of the water and gulped in precious air. After a few deep
breaths he composed himself and pondered what had just happened. Was his teacher
mad at him? What other reason would he act so strange?

The student blurted out, Why did you do that!

Socrates answered rhetorically, While your head was underwater, what was the one
thing you wanted more than anything in life?

To take a breath of air to be able to stay alive., he said.

Then Socrates revealed his secret, plain as day.

It is just as I told you earlier, the secret to success is already inside all of
us. When you desire success as much as you wanted that breath of air, you will be
successful.