Persistence Pays
There is a saying that when you set out to achieve something with a self belief and persists in that endeavor the universe around you conspires and generate positive energy pushing you towards your goal till you achieved it.
I was reminded of this saying last night when I heard that a junior of mine at school had made it to the final list of the candidates selected to the Country’s elite services the IAS/IFS/IPS/IRS. You might say, “No big deal every Tom Dick and Harry can become an IAS provided he has the desired IQ, knowledge or preparation!” I agree. But his story goes a little further than that.
I knew Mangtinlen Haokip since the time he joined Sainik School Imphal a year after I joined that fine Almamater (school). He was good in studies though I do not remember much of his athleticism or excellence in sport. He was a delight as a companion as he always had a nose for funny anecdotes, noticed funny antics of others and always had us in splits.
One thing his success struck me is his persistence. Right now as we discuss his story, the IPS/IAS as a goal is not important, in the sense that, he could’ve aspired for a totally different goal and still achieved it. What is important is the persistence with which he has pursued this. He got through the written exam a number of times but failed to get selected, since the first time he appeared for the prelims in 1997. He later married and was compelled to take up employment in a bank. Finally after 11 years he has achieved the thing he wanted the most in his life. This I would argue is no joke because 11 years is long enough a span to progress in a given career- to have reached a certain stage in a career or in a married life. A long wait indeed! His is a story that proves that we need to want something really bad in order to achieve it.
So I called him up today to congratulate him. I said, “Man you deserved it!” And he said something like, “Yeah, I have been persistent!” Yes persistence pays indeed. And I just loved his lack of self pretense by admitting that indeed his persistence had paid off in the end. I am glad he didn’t get into one of those clichés like, “Oh God is kind or I am lucky” or such kind of things, at least with me.
To give the man his due he was humble enough and tried persuading me not to write this piece. But I would not hear of it because there was a message I wanted to convey and he provided the best example.
I was reminded of this saying last night when I heard that a junior of mine at school had made it to the final list of the candidates selected to the Country’s elite services the IAS/IFS/IPS/IRS. You might say, “No big deal every Tom Dick and Harry can become an IAS provided he has the desired IQ, knowledge or preparation!” I agree. But his story goes a little further than that.
I knew Mangtinlen Haokip since the time he joined Sainik School Imphal a year after I joined that fine Almamater (school). He was good in studies though I do not remember much of his athleticism or excellence in sport. He was a delight as a companion as he always had a nose for funny anecdotes, noticed funny antics of others and always had us in splits.
One thing his success struck me is his persistence. Right now as we discuss his story, the IPS/IAS as a goal is not important, in the sense that, he could’ve aspired for a totally different goal and still achieved it. What is important is the persistence with which he has pursued this. He got through the written exam a number of times but failed to get selected, since the first time he appeared for the prelims in 1997. He later married and was compelled to take up employment in a bank. Finally after 11 years he has achieved the thing he wanted the most in his life. This I would argue is no joke because 11 years is long enough a span to progress in a given career- to have reached a certain stage in a career or in a married life. A long wait indeed! His is a story that proves that we need to want something really bad in order to achieve it.
So I called him up today to congratulate him. I said, “Man you deserved it!” And he said something like, “Yeah, I have been persistent!” Yes persistence pays indeed. And I just loved his lack of self pretense by admitting that indeed his persistence had paid off in the end. I am glad he didn’t get into one of those clichés like, “Oh God is kind or I am lucky” or such kind of things, at least with me.
To give the man his due he was humble enough and tried persuading me not to write this piece. But I would not hear of it because there was a message I wanted to convey and he provided the best example.
BRO.nice one ..dis. relly enjoyed readin ur blogs. keep BLOGGIN !!!
ReplyDeleteDear old Seikho... apologies this could not be earlier. thank you for that very decent and congratulatory piece of write -up. a really good space you got yourself here, and be sure i am following this space now on.
ReplyDeletewell u said right. it was persistence, and more correctly it was painstaking perseverance, but i also need to tell you i am also very, very thankful to God !
keep the fire burning old bud...