Dear Friend,
As you prepare for your UPSC Civil Services Exam, you know that successful people are always an inspiration. You watch them as beacons on a distant mountain and try to light up your own path of success from their glory. You draw inspiration from the lives of successful people who have faced their own challenges to emerge victorious, and you learn as much as
you can from their success. Recently, I came across an interview with one of the top chess players of our time, Magnus
Carlsen, on the American comedian, actor and former television host Mr. Joseph James Rogan’s YouTube podcast, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’, and found he has a slightly different and nuanced take on how to reach greater heights in whichever field you are in. Not only does chess come closer in terms of mental and intellectual strength to what it takes to prepare
for the UPSC CSE, but I also find Carlsen’s insights and success mantras more relevant for IAS aspirants like you toiling their way to clear one of India’s toughest competitive exams.
The November 30, 1990-born “chess prodigy” from Norway, Carlsen, earned his grandmaster title at the age of 13 years in 2004. Carlsen’s life is full of outstanding achievements. He surpassed the rating of 2800 in 2009 and became the No. 1 chess player in the FIDE rankings in 2010, becoming the youngest person ever to achieve those feats. Carlsen became the World Champion in 2013 by defeating Viswanathan Anand. The following year, he retained his title against Anand, won the 2014 World Rapid Championship and World Blitz Championship, and reached a peak rating of 2882, the highest in history. In 2016, Carlsen successfully defended his title against Sergey Karjakin. He developed a universal playing style, perfectly knowing how and when to attack and defend; he uses a variety of openings, thus making it very difficult for his opponents to prepare and play against him. However, five-time World Champion and World No.1 Carlsen vacated the top-most title in 2022, citing a lack of motivation. The first and foremost lesson from Carlsen’s playbook is to “have fun” in what you do. “You need to enjoy what you are doing, and only this can motivate you to learn and train better,” he says. When you have fun, you are more interested in learning.
“Without the element of enjoyment, it is not worth trying to excel at anything,” he adds. Only when you enjoy your studies you can put in the long hours of preparation required for the exam. As Carlsen says, “I spend hours playing chess because I find it so much fun. The day it stops being fun is the day I give up.” So, take your studies as a medium of making a fun relationship with the knowledge and concepts; you will find you are enjoying your preparation and exercising your brain.
Second, “You need to have that edge, that confidence, that absolute belief that you are the best and you will win every time,” says Carlsen. Self-confidence is crucial. Without self-confidence, you see more limitations than opportunities. So, the lesson from his playbook is : it is always better to overestimate your prospects than underestimate them; it is always better to be too confident than too reluctant. Third, “Take regular breaks from chess. Train your body and mind,” Carsen says in the context of his field of activity. The same is true about other pursuits. Because if you do too much, you can experience burnout. This is especially important in U.P.S.C. preparation because it uses much of your brain’s C.P.U. Your studies will suffer if you do not take regular breaks and enjoy sports and other physical activities. So, go out there and play badminton, tennis, or something else like Carlsen does. Fourth, eat and drink well. “My favourite drink while playing is orange juice mixed with water,” Carlsen says. He eats one big meal before the early afternoon. He eats pretty clean before games but allows himself some desserts afterwards. Drinking a lot of fluids and staying hydrated can help you stay attentive. Without water in your system, you might feel lethargic or tired. Everyone has to find his own definition of eating and drinking well. But your intake must be such that it helps you stay alert, active, and agile while studying.
Lastly, get enough sleep. Carlsen says, “From when I was young till the age I am now, I always try to get at least nine hours of sleep every day when playing tournaments. It’s vital to keep a clear head.” You might have felt amused by how small and mundane things Carlsen has talked about. But these things play a vital role in the making of a champion.
With these words, I wish you the best in all your endeavours.