Perseverance: Mantra for overcoming challenges

It was in the year 1982, when I was studying in the 2nd standard, that I moved to Karwar, Karnataka, and joined St.Joseph's School. I was typically a silent, introverted kid in the class. 

But I still remember very strongly, when the annual day was announced in class, and our teacher asked us if any of us wanted to participate. I remember my hand going up straight instantly  😊 Until then, I had probably performed once or twice on stage in between the dramas conducted during the village fairs (jathra). 

First school performance

So I was picked to perform and a new journey started hence.

But the turning point came right after the annual day.

Me and my parents got introduced to classical dance and a teacher in my hometown, right after, by a classmate. Instantly I was in class. But this did not last long, as the teacher left the town.

Now, there was no other classical dance teacher in town. We had never seen anyone perform classical dances in our town. So how would I further my learning?

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn.”

– Helen Keller

My parents journey of hunting for teachers started then. 

After much inquires, discussions, they realized they had a colleague who was a dancer. So the next challenge of convincing him to teach me started 😊And finally I had a teacher for classical dances. 

But again, this was short-lived as the job was transferrable. But I had got my foundation set-up in Bharatanatyam. 

Now, my school took up the challenge to find the next teacher, and I would always be grateful to them for the same. And soon I was learning again in school, all FROM BEGINNING.Interesting part, the teacher doesn't stay long, due to less number of students. 

But by now, there were many children from other schools interested in learning classical dance, having watched me perform regularly on stage. 

So we had another parent (whose daughter was also a beautiful dancer and competitor of mine, and later a good friend), finding a teacher who did stay longer and taught us until he could no longer travel due to age. But we RESTARTED AGAIN, but were able to go through our first exams.

It was already 10 years of learning under 4 different teachers and 2 different styles of Bharatanatyam. But the good part was my parents, teachers, school, everyone stood by, supporting us and trying to ensure we get teachers who will take us forward. 

I was too young to understand the difficulties faced by all around me to ensure I had a dance teacher. But it was purely their perseverance to give me a platform, that set-up a base for me. And not giving up due to tiredness of starting all over from beginning, was very very important to stay on the journey. They would not give up. And they wouldn't let me give up. A strength that they built, that has stayed on with me forever. 

The strength that ensured I continued on my dancing journey, with more RESTARTs, even when I moved for studies to Hubli or on job to Pune.

This was just the beginning and one part of our challenges. More to follow.

Perseverance, a mantra for overcoming challenges

Challenges are a part and parcel of our life. Many a times we hit roadblocks and we are ready to give up. In our career too, we face many challenges. Be it in our work, our growth, changes in our working models, challenges with people and expectations, technologies, our aspirations, so many more. Question is how do we face them? Do we get demotivated by these challenges? Or do we see these as a push to keep us on our path? 

For many of us, especially women (not excluding the men), staying in our career can demand sheer perseverance. 

Reason/Passion/PURPOSE: At certain point in life, you need to find your purpose that helps you keep pursuing your goal. Your purpose could be your passion. Your purpose could be a reason or need.

Self motivation: The most important need for perseverance according to me is Self-motivation. There are times when you will have support in challenging situations. But there are times when you will not. Do not let self-doubt get in your thoughts. Do not let demotivators to overpower your thoughts. You are the king or queen of your thoughts.

Build your foundation: There are many times when you would end up restarting what you started as you hit roadblocks. Do not take these as a cue to stop. But rather learn what you should or should not do from these. Look at these situations as the chance to build a strong foundation on which you further develop.

Utilizing platforms: Your well-wishers/stakeholders can only create platforms for you. How you utilize them is up to you.   

A little perseverance goes a long way in ensuring we have a long career. A little perseverance can help you stand strong and build your confidence. A little perseverance can take you to unknown heights. Keep going!!