Resilience and Dedication for success in Civil Services
Advice for Aspiring Civil Servants
By: Nahida Mushtaq
Mohammad Irfan’s journey to cracking the Indian Administrative Services UPSC exams on his fourth attempt, securing an all-India rank of 476, is nothing short of inspirational. His story resonates deeply with aspirants across the nation, serving as a hope and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. Aspiring officers across the nation can draw inspiration from his journey, knowing that with determination and resilience, success is indeed within reach.
One of the most striking aspects of Mohammad’s journey is his emphasis on maintaining a balanced approach to preparation. Despite the inevitable stress and pressure associated with competitive exams, Mohammad underscores the importance of trusting the process and staying disciplined.
His acknowledgment of the need for occasional moments of respite to recharge and rejuvenate speaks volumes about the significance of self-care in the pursuit of one’s goals. Mohammad’s approach serves as a valuable reminder that success is not solely determined by relentless effort but also by maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
“You do feel stress and pressure in this exam process but this realisation is important that this exam demands dedicated time with proper consistency and you need to trust the process and study with discipline and do give some free and leisure time to yourself to get refreshed.”
Another key takeaway from Mohammad’s interview is his proactive approach to overcoming self-doubt and mental fatigue. By seeking guidance from mentors and engaging in regular practice through mock papers, Mohammad demonstrates a commitment to self-improvement and a willingness to confront challenges head-on. His resilience in the face of uncertainty is commendable, serving as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and determination.
He believes that having a mentor and limited peer group is important.They help you through your ups and downs of preparation and also provides you moral support.“I too had a support system of my mentor and some friends,” he says.
Addressing the fear of failure, Mohammad emphasizes the importance of adopting a positive mindset and focusing on giving one’s best without fixating on the outcome. This mindset shift is crucial in navigating the ups and downs of the exam preparation process, enabling aspirants to stay motivated and focused on their goals. Mohammad’s advice highlights the importance of resilience and perseverance in overcoming setbacks and embracing failure as an opportunity for growth.
“Failure is a part of the process.And being honest,I always learnt from my failure and improved upon every time.I qualified KAS in 1st attempt but IAS in my 4th attempt. Failures and rising up again from failure helped me to get success,” said.
Procrastination is a common challenge faced by many aspirants, but Mohammad offers practical tips for staying disciplined and focused on study goals. By setting targeted study goals, limiting study materials, and creating a conducive study environment, Mohammad demonstrates the importance of consistency and effective time management in optimising study schedules. His disciplined approach serves as a blueprint for aspirants seeking to overcome procrastination and maximise their productivity.
“To avoid procrastination,I adopted a multi-program approach. I limited my study material and revised that only again and again. I used to go to the library rather than studying at home to get a good study environment. I used to do targeted study and paste monthly calendar in front of my study desk and set the target upon that targeted study is very important,” he said
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is paramount in the pursuit of excellence, and Mohammad’s emphasis on physical well-being and seeking support from mentors and peers is a testament to this. By prioritising physical health and seeking guidance from mentors, Mohammad demonstrates a holistic approach to preparation that encompasses both academic and personal development. His candid sharing of struggles and setbacks underscores the importance of resilience and support in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
He says that the time management is really important. One has to define ones daily schedule and set daily targets, weekly Targets,and monthly targets. “Don’t read unnecessary study material,keep it very limited,”he advices.
In preparing for the interview process, Mohammad’s meticulous preparation strategies highlight the importance of confidence-building and thorough analysis of one’s strengths and weaknesses. By analysing his Detailed Application Form (DAF), engaging in daily discussions with mentors, and participating in rigorous mock interviews, Mohammad demonstrates a commitment to excellence and a willingness to go the extra mile to achieve his goals. His dedication serves as a source of inspiration for aspirants facing the daunting prospect of interviews and selection processes.
“I even had a fear of interviews earlier,but a good practice and mock interviews helped me a lot, he said adding that his strategy for the interview included:
preparation of DAF(Detailed Application form. “I got my DAF analysis done from a good institute to know the delivery of questions that can be asked. Daily one on one discussion with my mentor and friends helped me It’s improved my flow and structuring of answers.”
“And finally some good 7/8 mock interviews also helped,” he said.
Mohammad’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His story is a source of inspiration for aspirants across the nation, reminding us that success is not defined by the absence of challenges but by the resilience and determination with which we overcome them. Mohammad’s journey is a shining example of the indomitable human spirit and a reminder that with perseverance and dedication, anything is possible. Aspiring officers can draw valuable lessons from Mohammad’s experience, knowing that with resilience and perseverance, success is within reach.
He further asserts that the social media is really important. “I stopped using social media during my preparation because of distraction.But i make full use of technology for my preparation be it youtube videos, online mocks, epaperetc,” he said.
Mohammad Irfan’s remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and dedication in the face of formidable challenges. Aspiring officers across the nation can draw inspiration from his journey, knowing that with determination and resilience, success is indeed within reach.
“Being overloaded by preparation and not ripping results can lead to mental stress.Also the Peer and family pressure adds to it.My request is please keep these thoughts away because you are doing hard work for your dreams not to please,” he adds.
Mohammad’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His story is a source of inspiration for aspirants across the nation, reminding us that success is not defined by the absence of challenges but by the resilience and determination with which we overcome them. Mohammad’s journey is a shining example of the human spirit and a reminder that with perseverance and dedication, anything is possible. Aspiring officers can draw valuable lessons from Mohammad’s experience, knowing that with resilience and perseverance, success is within reach.
“My last advice is don’t just prepare for the glamour and power associated with this profession as the challenges are huge and demand a lot of sacrifices.Prepare with an objective in your mind and feel it everyday.Majority people see failure in initial attempts don’t get disheartened by them and learn from them.And do hard work with honesty, dedication and consistency and hopefully you will taste success,” he says.
Kashmir Images is an English language daily newspaper published from Srinagar (J&K), India. The newspaper is one of the largest circulated English dailies of Kashmir and its hard copies reach every nook and corner of Kashmir Valley besides Jammu and Ladakh region.
