He who has a WHY to live can bear almost any HOW.
Friedrich Nietzsche
When one begins the challenging journey of UPSC preparation, there is a purpose behind it. It kind of seems obvious that we all know the purpose behind why we are taking this path. But it’s not the case. For some, it is money, fame, power and status while for others, it is the opportunity to make a positive impact on the society through a meaningful employment. There is a significant number of students who have a very weak sense of purpose or have no real idea of why they are doing it. Here’s why knowing your WHY matters.
With a superficial and weak purpose you’ll never have enough skin in the game. Whether you are here because you think you’ll have power, or you think there’s money involved, perks involved. Or simply your parents forced you or peers influenced you. These are the kind of WHYs that usually don’t help you in the long term. Chances are high you’ll be met with disappointment. UPSC preparation is not an impromptu trip that you will enjoy. Critical evaluation of your motives is a must.
The point is, the reason why you started it has to be intrinsic, your own WHY. Without this, you will lack the drive that’s needed to sail through the sea of uncertainties and frustrations. The UPSC preparation is a long drawn process. Even if everything goes as you planned, the exam itself is stretched over 9 months. Considering at least one year of preparation beforehand, makes it a 2 long years of blood and sweat. This kind of consistency required is attainable only with a strong sense of purpose and your personal WHY.
At the heart of Nietzsche’s above-mentioned assertion is the understanding that the strong sense of purpose gives you strength to go through the rainy days. It shields you from the occasional disillusionment and burnout during the preparation. As those without it, struggle to find meaning in their efforts.
Meditating on your intentions requires deep introspection. It gives you a clarity on your core values. Knowing them also exposes some of your weaknesses. It is preferable to know as many weaknesses in your persona at the beginning of this journey so that you would be able to work on them as you progress through your preparation.
Simon Sinek in his book, ‘Start with WHY’ has beautifully explained the need to know and capitalize on your WHY through a concept of Golden Circle. He says all the successful organizations and corporations don’t advertise what they sell or how they will make a difference, but have a disproportionate focus on their WHY. A Why connects to your evolutionarily rudimentary brain, the limbic system which provokes emotions and thereby action.
The invention and flight of first airplane is a good illustration of the point I’m trying to make. We all are aware that it was Wright Brothers who invented the first successful airplane. It was their passion and grit or rather if I may say, the obsession that made the first flying vehicle a possibility. But do you know that at the same time, there was Professor Samuel Langley, who was also desperate to develop the airplane. He was not devoid of any resources that the wright brothers had access to, rather had definitely a lot more than two humble bicycle shop owner cum mechanics. Langley had funding from Government and team of experts. But it was the wright brothers who made the successful first flight. The reason? The WHY!
While Langley was doing it largely for fame and money, Wright brothers were obsessed with finding a new mode of transportation. The motive was intrinsic and noble. Exactly the reason why Langley quit as soon as Wright Brothers made their first successful flight. He had resources, he could have improved upon the design and made a better plane? But that wouldn’t have given him the fame, status, and money he was after. That’s why when Wright Brothers did it, He stopped trying altogether. It is not that Wright Brothers did not face setbacks in their journey of invention, They did. Their originality, passion and their own WHY kept them going.
I hope you see my point, the patience in the events of unforeseen setbacks is provided by a concrete and intrinsic WHY. The UPSC journey demands a lot more than just the ability to comprehend topics and memorize them. It requires the grit and perseverance and your WHY is the fuel to this grit.
Your WHY acts a beacon of light in the long and oftentimes dark path that UPSC Preparation is. Meditate over it. Have a clarity on your WHY and your HOW will show up.
My Best wishes!