Ever been so damn close to throwing in the towel, ready to quit because it feels like you’re hitting nothing but dirt? I’ve been there. And I’m here to tell you: sometimes, all it takes is one last, gritty push to turn everything around.

The Backyard Swamp

When we first moved into our place in Northern Rivers, NSW, the backyard was a nightmare. The day of the final walk-through inspection, 24 hours before settlement, revealed a massive problem when the heavens opened up. The backyard flooded, and I thought we bought a lemon. I freaked out and called our solicitor to see if we could undo the contract. We couldn’t, so I had to surrender to the situation I had no control over.

After every rain, it turned into a muddy mess, like a swamp had moved in and wasn’t leaving anytime soon. It wasn’t just annoying; it was a ticking time bomb for the house.

I knew I had to fix the drainage, but I had to find the stormwater pipe underground. That was like chasing a ghost.

Digging, Sweating, and Almost Giving Up

I grabbed my shovel and went to work—hole after hole, trench after trench. The soil was thick, heavy, and relentless, clinging to my boots and sapping my energy. I dug nearly two meters, muscles burning, sweat stinging my eyes, and still no pipe.

Every scoop felt like a punch in the gut. I was ready to quit. The voice in my head screamed, “This isn’t working. Stop wasting your time.”

But something inside me refused to listen.

One Last Inch-and Then, Boom

I went back to where I started, dug down just less than an inch more, and hit something solid.

The pipe.

Eureka!

That tiny, stubborn push made all the difference.

The Flood That Could’ve Wrecked Us

Fast forward to summer 2022. Northern Rivers got slammed by floods that wrecked homes and lives. Thousands of homes were affected. Our place? It stayed dry.

Why? Because I did the hard yards before the storm hit. Even when I wanted to quit, I pushed a little harder. That last inch of digging saved our home.

What This Means for You as a Dad

Life’s like that backyard. Sometimes you’re stuck in the mud, digging and digging, feeling like you’re getting nowhere. Financial stress, family pressures, and the weight of responsibility can crush you.

But here’s the real deal: success, peace, and prosperity often come down to that last push. The extra phone call. The last email. The bookwork after the kids are asleep. The extra hour grinding. Submitting one more CV after you have lost count. The refusal to quit, even when it’s easier to walk away.

Don’t Quit. Dig Deeper.

If you’re ready to give up, remember this: your breakthrough might be just one inch away. That final effort could save your home, your family’s future, and your sanity.

So dig. Sweat. Fight. Because giving up isn’t an option.

Your Move

What’s your last inch? What’s the one thing you can do today that you’ve been putting off? Drop a comment, share your story, or just promise yourself you won’t quit.

Because you’re not just digging a trench, you’re digging a legacy.

Keep pushing, dads. Your breakthrough is waiting beneath the surface.