As you are well aware, preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a marathon, not a sprint. The journey is long, arduous, and often filled with moments of self-doubt and fatigue. The process is extensive, usually spanning over years. The vast syllabus is intimidating. It includes diverse subjects, demanding continuous learning and revision. The high level of competition and uncertainty of outcomes can create immense pressure, leading to stress and demotivation. Staying motivated throughout this preparation phase is crucial for success.
Do you know who your best friend is in such a strenuous journey? Yes, family, friends, hobbies, and everything else that you love and adore are there to give you a helping hand and lift your morale at times of difficulty. Still, your best friend is always your own positive mindset. Every outside factor could fail you at some point or another. But a positive mindset will never ever fail you. If you find and keep a positive mindset, an optimistic attitude, it will, first and foremost, never allow you to fall into a state of despair. Even if such a situation arises, it will be easy for you to come out of it by way of a positive mindset.
A positive mindset is cultivating a thinking that always looks at the positive side of the things. Mr. Remez Sasson, a self-improvement expert, defines a positive mindset as “a mental and emotional attitude that focuses on the brighter side of life and expects positive results”. American singer and guitarist Mr. Willie Nelson says, “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results”. His Highness Dalai Lama’s advice is straight and forceful, “Choose to be optimistic, it feels better”. American author Mr. Jay Samit says, “Starting each day with a positive mindset is the most important step towards your journey to discovering opportunity”.
There are many traits and characteristics associated with a positive mindset. A person with a positive mindset will always appear with a smile on his or her face, a feeling of optimism and hope, and an impression that he or she can do anything and everything. However, a positive mindset doesn’t mean you pretend everything is perfect all the time. It’s normal and okay to have days when you feel down, especially when situations are tough. The key is how you respond to those challenges.
A positive mindset is essentially having an optimistic outlook, which means a willingness to make an effort and take a chance instead of assuming your efforts will not pay off. It is acknowledging that things do not always turn out how you want them. It is about learning from your mistakes. It is about bouncing back from adversity, disappointment and failure instead of giving up. A positive mindset comes with a feeling of gratitude—actively, continuously appreciating the good things in your life. It involves consciousness or mindfulness, which is dedicating the mind to conscious awareness and enhancing the ability to focus. It is also about integrity, the trait of being honourable, righteous and straightforward, instead of being deceitful and self-serving.
Not all are born with a positive mindset. Most have to develop it with a conscious effort. It may seem challenging, but it is achievable with small and consistent actions. Here are ten tips. First, embrace positive influences. Surround yourself with positive people and content. Second, feel all your feelings. Acknowledge every emotion you experience, including the uncomfortable ones. Third, incorporate healthy habits. Engage in activities that boost your physical and mental well-being. Start with one small change, like a daily 10-minute walk. Fourth, repeat positive affirmations daily. Use affirmations to foster self-belief and positivity. Start your day by saying something positive about yourself or your capabilities. Fifth, watch yourself. Regularly take a moment to assess how you are feeling and what you need.
Sixth, look forward to things. Allow yourself to feel excited about future events or activities. Anticipation can be a source of joy. Seventh, practise mindfulness. Stay in the present and fully engage with the current moment by paying close attention to your daily activities. Try meditation, or focusing fully on one routine task each day. Eighth, keep a gratitude journal. Write down things you’re thankful for to help shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. Ninth, avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Tenth, recognise and focus on your strengths. Focusing on your strengths rather than your weaknesses can help build self-confidence.
With these words, I wish you the best for all your endeavours.
