It is almost a week to go for CAT. While many are giving a finishing touch to their preparation, a chunk of students are there who are worried and have almost given up.
Some common thoughts which ponder over our head are:
1.The competition is too tough. I don’t stand a chance.
2.I haven’t been preparing from the beginning. What can I do in a few days?
3.My friends are so intelligent. I am placed no where near them. I can’t compete with them only, how can I compete with so many others aspirants spread across the whole country?
4.There’s so much expectation from me. What if I fail them?
More than our dreams, we think about our fears of failure. Thinking more and more about our fear, we almost make up in our minds that we will fail. Instead of making plans for achieving our dreams, we start finding alternatives on what shall we do after our failure. Suppose, let us take the example of belling the CAT .The two thought cycles may be( —> represents the next thought which comes to your mind):
First Thought Cycle:
I won’t be able to crack the exam —> I haven’t prepared anything —> My English vocabulary and speed is extremely poor —> My competitors are better prepared than me —> There’s no point preparing for it now —> My friends are going to be well placed —> I am a failure —> Excuses,Irritation and Depression.
Second Thought Cycle:
I think I will be able to crack the exam —> I need to prepare for it in the remaining days —> I have to improve my weak areas —> I need to be at par with my competitors —> I make a plan and execute it —> success —> Confidence —-> More successful
A negative thought will attract more negative thoughts and you end up being a loser. A positive thought or belief is followed by another positive thought and you gradually end up finding ways to achieve your dreams.
Motivate yourself to think positive. Think of the high standards of living after you achieve your dream. Every critic of you, who under-estimated you or spoke against you, will be silenced. Moreover, you become an inspiration to people, to your juniors. Nothing is more great than have a feeling that you have inspired someone.
The journey is long, the path is weary and the dreams are distant. Rest if you must, But don’t quit.
With this I end my first article. Wish you luck for your B-School entrance exams.
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