Success and failure are conjoined twins. Every success brings with it some seeds of failure and every failure provides an opportunity to set a new benchmark of success. the saga of UPSC examination is no different.There is a common adage that 3 things are not in anyone's hand namely birth, death, and marriage. With the experience of civil services examination, I can add two more to the list. One is the selection in UPSC examination and other is potty.
Well, like every year, this years exam result was also a mixed bag. I did not appear but many of my friends from JITO and ORN had appeared in the interview so I was eagerly waiting for the result. Some people made it to the list defying all odds while some other will have to wait for one more year.
UPSC is not merely a test of content or knowledge. It is a test of person's character and attitude as well. For a sincere candidate, either a person emerge as a civil servant or a better human being or most of the time both. Nothing boosts your confidence like success and nothing teaches you a better lesson than failure. However, a person should possess right attitude to make the most out of both the opportunities.
Specifically talking about failure, It has the power to poisonously destroy person's self-belief. But if one takes the failure in the right stride and learn the right lessons then it also paves the path to developing higher wisdom of life and become a role model for many successful or unsuccessful candidates.
The failure in the exam triggers various thoughts processes and create ambiguity and confusion. Failure leaves a hole in person's ego. The most of our immediate efforts are aimed at stitching that ego. The common phrases which comes repititvely to our mind is:
1. "Why me"?
2. "What did I do wrong"?
3. "See everyone has got selected"?
4. "What about my dad's dream"?
A common confusion which prevails is:
1. "Should I join a job or should I prepare full time"?
2. "Should I call it quit"?
3. "Should I change my optional?"
4. "Should I focus on state level examinations first?"
Here I would list my take on the strategy to convert this failure into your moment of liberation and springboard to success. Again I would desist from "depends" type of answer and would prefer to write in pointed fashion. I assume that aspirants are preparing full time and failed at interview stage.
If one is in the job/business
keep the result aside and prepare for next attempt
For those not in the job
If you are done with all your attempts:
Immediately catch hold of a job or activate your plan B like doing father's business.
Do not get into vicious cycle of state exams or other exams. You should be able to clear them along with job.
Get married.
If you are a veteran in the preparation (three+ attempt)
Immediately start thinking about your plan B and execute it after next mains.
Make a wish list of all the things which you wanted to do and could not do over all these years. Capture the low hanging fruits like building 6 pacs, or learning guitar
Be light minded and give this last full time effort with full rigour and vigour.
Make sure your plan B is executed in January time frame.
If you are in your second attempt
Read books and develop content expertise.
Finalize your plan B and execute it in January.
Give this attempt with full vigour.
You can think about optional change also provided you have done some homework in the same.
if your numbers have dipped in comparison to your previous attempt then it needs some serious introspection.
If you are in your first attempt
Its OK. It happens. We have enough success stories around of people who bounce back. It is good to taste some defeat.
Prepare full time with calm mind. Don't invest energy on thinking about plan B
Start thinking about plan B from January or optional change from january.
Remember, success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue which counts. Never say die, try try try. I have never seen a person who has never failed. Not failing is itself a failure of not developing the alternate wisdom. Just believe in yourself and "charaiveti charaiveti" (Keep going keep going).
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