Importance of Habit and Discipline In UPSC IAS Exam

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn

Discipline is the commitment to the most important person in the world – ‘YOU’. It is the commitment of doing what you have to do, even when you do not want to do it. Discipline is nothing but an effective habit which leads to effective results over the time. If your commitment is strong for your dream, anything in life can be achieved.

‘Discipline’ and ‘habit’ are the foundation for ongoing self motivation and personal success. 

The whole journey of UPSC IAS Preparation, from preparation to the declaration of merit list takes years (at least 2 years). During the journey, you might feel dedicated and may be lost or de motivated. You might face distractions, various ups and downs. However, few things must remain constant to win viz. ‘Positive Habits’ and ‘Discipline’.

You need to inculcate new habits for at least a year to enjoy fruits of success in this UPSC IAS exam. Intelligence, dedication, motivation and diligence are the habits that are necessary for this exam but to sustain these attributes for a whole year or more a good discipline need to be maintained.

Discipline should be maintained to strive towards development of new habits that is required to set goals on daily basis and means to accomplish them. Studies reveal that 40% of our actions is habit-driven. Old habits cannot be abandoned easily and discipline is the only way to quit these habits. The reason is habits are embedded in our brain by the neural pathways that are etched in it. Neural pathways automate behavior that is repeated over years. Adherence to certain steps are needed to inculcate new habits and maintain discipline to achieve your goal in specified time period.

The following steps must be followed to inculcate self-discipline:

1. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses: It is very important to understand your strengths and weakness for developing self-discipline. Most of the time people do not realise their weak points and hence remain in dilemma. The hindrances and obstacles to your performance and goal are your own habits and vices so it remain quite necessary to identify your weak points and work upon them. Realising your inner potential is the only way to accomplish your goal and self discipline is the best way to achieve this.
2. Time management: Time management is the key to success. One who is able to make efficient use of time can become a winner. But it has been observed that many aspirants lack the ability to use time properly. To manage your time few steps are required such as creating a realistic not strict timetable, making short, practical and accomplishable targets, Organizing study time, taking a Break at short intervals during studies etc.
3. Find your pitfalls: The one main obstacle to success is your Pitfalls that could reduce efficiency and stop you from making strides towards your goal. Finding pitfalls could ease your journey towards success. Few most obvious pitfalls could be distraction, laziness, Complacency, Doubt and dishonesty. These pitfalls should be identified and remove them at earliest to accomplish your goal.
4. Replace old habits: Replacing old habits could be a Herculean Task but it is the most needed aspect. The studies reveal that it takes 21 days to develop a habit. So developing new habits could take longer period of time. Old habits do not die easily so continuously striving towards this could be the game-changer in this regard.
5. Stay Positive: There is a magic ingredient required to take you to your desired goal. It is called ‘POSITIVE THINKING’. They are just two words but they pack a lot of punch. Every successful person will tell you that apart from the hard work and talent they nurtured, all of them engaged in positive thinking.
6. Give your 100%: The one thing that decide your success during exam is giving your 100% despite of all the challenges and hurdles. Most of the aspirants often feel that they are not prepared or less prepared. This exam is the test of your patience and will power so always give your 100% despite of all adverse circumstances.

Not only in UPSC, positive habits and discipline have benefits even later in life too. A person with consistently disciplined schedule knows exactly what works from him and he succeeds in small and big thing equally well.

So stay focused and disciplined as in the words of Mahatma Gandhi “The future depends on what we do in the present.”