There are squirriels in my backyard and they're nuts!

That's right my backyard is full of squirrels and I think it's my fault, I've been feeding them.

At first I would see them in the backyard so I would go to the pantry and get them some nuts as soon as they saw me coming they would scatter up the trees and in the neighbors back yard. I would place the nuts on the fence post, return inside the house and watch them cautiously return to collect the treats.

After some time whenever I come outside with the nuts they would no longer scatter but still keep their distance and watch me as I placed the nuts on the fence post. Soon they were standing their ground and waiting less than six feet away from me.

Of course I started wondering just how close they would get to me so I started to hold out the nut in my hand away from me and very cautiously they would crawl up to me quickly grab the nut and run.

Soon they were all running toward me as soon as I stepped outside. Now they are crawling all over me looking for goodies. We are still cautious of each other they are not too sure about me and their number, teeth and crawls still have me a bit apprehensive.

Think Veruca Salt in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and you'll know what I mean. Where I'm I going with all this and what does this have to do with what we are trying to accomplish here?

If you think of the squirrels as clients/customers than you will understand. We must build trust between ourselves and the people we deal with. This takes patience and trust but once you have that they will all come running to you to get what they want and need.