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"What do I need to focus on right now for the result?”
UPSC Mains result is expected in the next 10-15 days. So it was a simple and obvious question. I was about to give the usual answer about interview preparation. But instead, it suddenly made me remember my own attempts. The highs of hope, the lows of disappointment.
Having made the same mistake myself and now with wisdom of hindsight, I decided to be honest and blunt
" Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Be ready with a 'fail plan'."
With 'fail plan' intentionally chosen to ease her into the discomfort of the uncertain.
Silence.
The kind of silence where you can hear the tension on the other end of the call. I knew how my advice must’ve sounded: harsh, unhelpful, even pessimistic.
But the advice was anything but pessimistic. Max, it can be termed "cheerful pessimistic" ( Thanks Charlie Munger).
I don’t blame her; I’d been there too. Optimism is the default. But my response wasn’t about doubting their capability—it was about being resilient.
You deal with UPSC, like you deal with any other uncertain event of low probability but high payout.
This is the strategy I use when dealing with uncertainty:
1. Be an optimist while you’re in control: Till you are appearing in mains - prepare like you’ll top the exam.
2. Become a cheerful pessimist once the process is out of your hands. Embrace stoicism and be ready for anything that comes your way.
Here’s why:
The Two Scenarios
[A] Thinking positively about the result
The default setting but this mindset often blinds you to the “what ifs.” The mains marks are already locked in; no amount of positive thinking can change that. If you spend the next few days hoping for the best but don’t make the cut, you may find yourself panicking, unable to take rational next steps.
[B] Being a cheerful pessimist
Instead, start asking yourself the tough questions now:
• If I don’t make it, will I reappear?
• if yes, what's going to be different in my strategy?
• If not, what are my alternate opportunities?
This isn’t about doubting yourself; it’s about celebrating yourself.
It's especially critical in the case of UPSC, where many aspirants get trapped in the cycle. In case of negative result, first comes the self-doubt, then the coaching centers motivates you to "restart" and before you know it, next prelims are around the corner, and you think "It’s just one more attempt."
I’m not telling you to quit. I’m not telling you to continue, either. What I am saying is this: make a decision. A real decision. And make it when you have time and you can do it rationally i.e. NOW.
Don't quit because of frustration on clearing the exam and definitely don't continue in the preparation because of the default setting "Let me give one last attempt."
So, hope for the best but prepare for the worst and be unsurprised with anything in between!
Pic: Alternative Strategy - Pray to God :P
