Persistence and Patience: Key to success
Persistence and patience are two main key to success, and it took me quite some time to believe. I am fond of listening to podcasts and reading stories of successful people, a common theme to success that everyone quoted was the power of persistence and patience. However, I always doubted this theory maybe because of the human tendency to not accepting something unless we experience it ourselves. Let me share a personal instance that made me believe in persistence and patience. I moved to London in December 2020 for my higher studies, leaving behind my two Guinea pigs back home. As the world is facing a pandemic, I was mostly indoors, and I missed my two Guinea pigs a lot. So, my mother suggested that I go start feeding some animals and what can be more convenient than squirrels. To compensate for my guinea pig, I started feeding squirrels in the compartment of the building.
Day 1: I saw a squirrel and went near her to feed some bread. As I started to move closer to her she ran away and I left a piece for her and walked away.
Day 2: I waited for the squirrel from the comfort of my home and when I saw one, I threw a small piece of bread towards her from my flat window, situated on the first floor. But she ran away, which made me realise that they were not friendly.
Week 1: I curiously waited all day to spot them, and then I threw some bread crumbs to get used to the fact that I meant no harm.
Week 2: I continued this approach, and I started to make some sounds to make them a bit comfortable with my voice. It was an extraordinary experience when a squirrel ate my first bread piece standing just below the window. I felt as if I have got a big achievement, this motivated me to keep going. Soon one particular squirrel began to get comfortable and come closer to the building while I threw some bread at them.
Month 1: A squirrel eating few bread crumbs down my window made my day and it became the best part of the day. It was a delightful moment but still, she was not my friend and hence I repeatedly made a particular sound so that she can start recognizing that voice as I am calling her for a small chat. It took her few days and she did not only start to recognise my special voice but also the cracking sound of my window opening. There were moments when I had just opened my window and listening to that cracking sound she came running to meet me. Eventually, she began to come closer to the building just below my flat window. I named her “Titi”
Month 2: By now, she started to respond, so after opening my window, I made these special sounds, which made her realise that it was her snack time. She quickly grabbed the bread, ran towards a bicycle parked below my building, and sat on the bicycle seat to enjoy her snack.
Somewhere in month 3: One day, I had come out of my bath and went to my bedroom and saw a tail just outside my window, I got scared. Seeing that tail made my heart beat faster and I looked if windows are locked or not. In a few seconds as I moved closer to the window I was hoped out of delight to see my dear “Titi” standing just outside my window, which was on the first floor of the building. She came up all the way up to my window to meet me. I quickly went to the kitchen to get some bread and slowly opened the window, made the sound which I used to create and kept the bread just outside my window and quickly closed it. Initially, she ran away and then she came back for the bread. She Sat in front of my window, ate her piece of bread and went back.
That day, I realised that she had started trusting me, and this special bond with her was built over three months. If I had stopped at the end of the first week and thought that this squirrel would never come near me and they are too scared of humans. I would have never reached the stage I have today with my friendship with her. Sometimes, we need to be patient and persistent with our efforts to reach a goal in our lives.
Current Situation: She now brings her friends as well, for a little treat. Just an FYI, there are 5 in this picture for you to spot.