The power of patience, persistence & perseverance | Percival Tussamba | TEDxBrighton

Key Concepts:

• Perseverance, Persistence, Patience (the speaker's "survival tools")
• Refugee experience and its impact
• Uncertainty and the importance of resilience
• Trusting the process
• Celebrating effort over outcome

1. Introduction and Personal Story

• The speaker, Perci Damba, introduces himself as a refugee from Angola. He acknowledges the common phrases "Don't give up," "Keep pushing," and "Trust the process," but questions how often we truly appreciate these qualities.
• He explains that he used to feel attacked when asked about his refugee story, but he has learned to embrace his struggles, setbacks, and slow progression.
• He emphasizes that perseverance, persistence, and patience are not just words for him; they are "survival tools."

2. Background: From Angola to the UK

• Damba recounts how his life changed at 16 when he became a refugee due to his father's affiliation with Fleck (Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Kabinda).
• Fleck is fighting for the independence of Kabinda, a region in the north of Angola.
• He highlights the sudden loss of his familiar life – language, friends, routine – and the need to start over in the UK as an asylum seeker.
• He notes that no one gets to choose their starting point, and the experience is filled with anxiety, fear, and confusion.

3. Lessons Learned in Uncertainty

• Damba explains that in moments of uncertainty, one learns that patience is not just waiting but endurance, and persistence is not just pushing through but knowing why you keep going.
• He points out that the world moves at its own pace, and processes like migration don't care about one's urgency.
• He admits that he didn't immediately grasp these lessons, but his experiences shaped him and taught him resilience.

4. The Universality of Uncertainty

• Damba argues that his story is not just a refugee story, as everyone faces moments of uncertainty in life – building a business, recovering from a setback, going through a breakup, or dealing with unexpected events.

5. Boxing Analogy: Perseverance, Persistence, and Patience in Action

• Damba shares a story about a boxing bout to illustrate the power of perseverance, persistence, and patience.
• He was informed about a fight in "Puffmas" (away from his club) on short notice.
• In the first round, he dominated, leading the referee to give his opponent an eight count (a timeout for safety).
• His coach's instructions were simple: "Jab and move" (the club's motto).
• In the second round, he made the mistake of fighting his opponent's game (a "scratchy and dirty" fight) instead of sticking to the game plan.
• His coach was unhappy and reminded him that they came to box, not to fight.
• Despite being exhausted in the third round, he secured the win.
• He concludes that patience is trusting the process, perseverance is sticking to the game plan, and persistence is pushing through resolutions.

6. Celebrating the Journey, Not Just the Outcome

• Damba emphasizes that it's easy to admire people's outcomes, but we should also recognize and celebrate the efforts of those still working through their struggles.
• He highlights that hardship, failure, and doubt are necessary for success.
• He argues that for many, especially refugees, the victory is the journey itself.
• He calls for recognizing the strength of those navigating unfamiliar places and writing their stories.

7. Conclusion: A Call to Action

• Damba urges the audience to truly believe in the phrases "Don't give up," "Keep pushing," and "Trust the process."
• He advocates for celebrating people's effort before their success stories are written and recognizing that growth sometimes happens in the shadow of uncertainty.

Notable Quotes:

• "Perseverance, persistence, and patience... for me they are survival tools."
• "Patience isn't just waiting is endurance, that persistence isn't just pushing through is knowing why you keep going."
• "We came here to box and not to fight."

Technical Terms/Concepts:

• Refugee: A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
• Asylum Seeker: A person who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution in another country.
• Fleck (Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Kabinda): A separatist movement fighting for the independence of Kabinda.
• Eight Count: In boxing, a brief pause in the fight where the referee checks on a fighter who has been knocked down or is in distress.

Logical Connections:

• The personal story of being a refugee serves as the foundation for understanding the importance of perseverance, persistence, and patience.
• The boxing analogy provides a concrete example of how these qualities can be applied in a challenging situation.
• The call to celebrate the journey connects back to the initial questioning of how we value these qualities in others.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

Perci Damba's speech emphasizes the critical role of perseverance, persistence, and patience, particularly in the face of uncertainty and adversity. Drawing from his experience as a refugee and using a boxing analogy, he argues that these qualities are essential for navigating life's challenges. He urges the audience to shift their focus from solely celebrating outcomes to recognizing and appreciating the effort and resilience displayed throughout the journey, especially for those still working towards their goals. The core message is a call for empathy and a re-evaluation of how we define and celebrate success.