I've heard this story told many different ways with different characters involved, so who knows what the true story is. Truth aside, the message is really good and worth pondering if you're not where you want to be in life...

It seems that there's a young man who asked Socrates what's the secret to success. Socrates told the young man to follow him, and then took him out to the lake. In they went until they were both about chest high. Then Socrates grabbed the young man's head and pushed it under water.

At first the young man didn't resist, as he thought it was some sort of ritual like baptism or similar. But then as he ran out of air he began struggling, and Socrates continued to hold him down under water.

At last Socrates let him up, and the man stood up quickly, gasping ...coughing.

When he had regained his breath, Socrates asked, when you were under water, what is the one thing you desired more than anything?

Air of course! the young man replied.

Socrates nodded. When you desire success as much as you desired air, then you will discover the secret of success.
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