What’s holding you back?

by: Josh Bryant

Let me tell you a little story about some rats and a pool. Back in the day, Dr. Curt Richter from Harvard University decided to test these little critters and see how long they could keep their heads above water. Turns out, after about 15 minutes, these rats would give up and sink.

But wait, it gets better! (RIP, Billy Mays.)

Right before they were about to baste the formaldehyde turkey due to pure exhaustion, the researchers would pluck them out, dry them off, let them rest for a few minutes, and then throw them back in for round two.

Now, here’s where things get crazier than an outhouse fly.

How long do you think these rats lasted on their second try? 5 minutes? 10 minutes? Hell no, my friends! They lasted a whopping 60 hours! That’s right, these little guys were swimming like champs for three full days!

The moral of the story? 

These rats believed that they would be rescued, so they pushed themselves harder than they ever thought possible. So, what’s holding you back from pushing yourself to your limits?

Believe in yourself and your abilities, even when things get tough. Don’t give up, even when the odds are stacked against you. Remember why you’re here and what you’re capable of achieving.

So, in the wise words of my redneck compadre, former Seminole alligator wrestling champion, Gator, “Keep on swimming, y’all!” Keep pushing yourself to new heights and you might just surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.