MY STORY - A MOTIVATIONAL PIECE OF WRITING FOR YOU GUYS

Many of the aspirants often tell me through their comments and messages that they find my
posts inspiring and motivational. I am glad to know that my words have that effect on the
people. An aspirant, who prepares for CSS exam, constantly needs that kind of support and
encouragement to keep him/her going on. That is why I thought of sharing my experience with
you folks which you might find motivational. I must clear beforehand that I am not blowing my
own trumpet. Just consider it a motivational post meant to share the experience.

It so happened that as soon as I graduated from university, I began to look for a job like most
youngsters do after graduation. I was travelling to Lahore along with my father and one of my
cousins. My father casually suggested me to go for CSS. At that time I did not know the ABC of
CSS exam and there were only 3 months left for the preparation of the exam. I did not know
about the quota thing either. My cousin bluntly remarked that CSS is not a child’s play and he
cannot prepare for it within 3 month. At least take a year and then appear in it. When I heard
this, I looked him in his eyes and I told him with firmness in my voice that I am gonna show you
how it’s done? I do not care about the 3 months slot. I am going to pass this exam, come what
may. His answer was that he will see to it whether I get to pass it in 3 months or not?

As soon as I got back home, I began to study. I left all my hobbies like outing, photography, gym
and watching movies. I still remember that I even used to burn mid-night oil literally. I studied in
the light of the lanterns when there was no light because of the load shedding.

There were some winter nights when everyone was asleep and I used to think that what was I
doing studying in such a cold weather for something that I myself was not certain about? Will it
be all worth it in the long run? But then I had to discard all these thoughts and get back to
studying with zeal and zest.

I gave it my best shot and after studying for three months, I appeared in the exam. Nobody was
sure about passing the written part of the exam including myself. The primary reason was the
preparation in only 3 months and the secondary reason was the part 1 paper of Indo Pak history.
That paper was extremely difficult and I attempted it entirely on my own assumptions and ideas.
But when the result was declared, I passed all the subjects. Everyone was surprised how I did it?
My joy knew no limits either. Although later I did not get any allocation but I guess it’s all about
luck. I missed allocation twice just because one of my optional subjects went rogue. Now, I have
reached the conclusion that you can just give this exam your best shot and then leave the rest to
Allah. You cannot change your fate by yourself. Only Allah has that power.

The point I wanted to make was that it is always YOU who can make the difference. YOU are the
sole person who will have to make the endeavours to qualify this exam. I ran against the clock
and beat it. I believe every one can do it and aspirants do it all the time. You just need
commitment, dedication, hard work, guidance and a little bit common sense. Listen, the hard
work is always there behind passing this exam. Nobody can deny its importance. One of the
sayings beautifully merges two thoughts together. It goes something like this , “Mehnat Meri,
Rehmat Teri”. So if you are lazy, you cannot sacrifice anything, your give priorities to other things
rather than preparation or studying and you waste your time happily, forget about this exam.
You are not cut out for it then. I am not discouraging you but that is what it takes to get
allocation in a desired department.

Why do we show inconsistency and laziness in the preparation phase? The reason is that
majority of us are not used to studying 5 to 6 hours a day with consistency. We have not known
sacrificing our careers, hobbies, friendship circle and family lives for just an exam. So finally
when we try to burn mid night oil and sacrifice things, we lose courage and all the preparation
seems tedious to us. But remember this is not an exam. It decides your career in the most
prestigious service of Pakistan. It decides your rest of the life how you want to spend it?

I remember, on my first day in gym, my fitness trainer said to me, “You are not PUSHING
yourself”. So, you need that PUSH to keep yourself going on and take the bull by the horns. My
father often used to tell me a Punjabi mahiya whenever I got a little discouraged. I would like to
quote it here “Lambay ker jigray, safar kateenday taan mahiya”. (If you wish the journey to pass,
you need to strengthen your heart). So, people do it and you can do it as well. Do not worry
about the duration left to study for the exam. Make a time table and run against the clock. May
the odds be ever in your favour!