Most people don’t know the principle of............

Most people don’t know the principle of energy management.

You might have heard and practice time management but one of the most underrated resource is your energy.

Just like time, energy is a finite resource and you only have a finite amount of it every day.

Hence it is important to spend it wisely because just like money, if you make a bad investment of energy you will get bad returns.

There are three aspects of energy management.

1. Conserving energy.
2. Enhancing energy.
3. Directing excess energy into something meaningful.

Conserving energy:

You might not realise it but you are draining tons of valuable energy by doing certain things like browsing social media or watching YouTube videos.

Here are certain ways you can conserve your energy.

1. Stop browsing social media endlessly, if you want to use social media use it at the end of the day after your have made a good investment of your energy into meaningful activities like working on your goals.
2. Avoid arguing with people, it is a big energy drain when you get into arguments with people on the internet and in real life.
3. Avoid negative people at all costs, people who talk about negative things all the time when you meet them. Your mind is a garden, don’t let these people turn it into a dumping yard.
4. If there is something which bothers you at the current moment, write it on a piece of paper and say to yourself that you will deal with it later. When you are constantly worried about something while you are working or studying it will drain a lot of your energy.
5. Stop thinking about things you cant change, not everything can be your control so there is no point in draining your energy thinking about something you cant control.
6. Work on one task at a time, multitasking and context switching are again huge energy drainers. We waste a lot of time when we switch from doing one task to other.
7. Pro tip: Treat your energy like money and spend it wisely. Would you pay money to browse a dumb social networking site which offers you no value ? If not then why would you waste your energy which is much valuable then money ?

Enhancing your energy:

There are certain things you can do to enhance your vital energy, these things are simple and can be done by almost anyone.

1. Improve your physical fitness, it has a huge impact on how you feel. You don’t have to become a bodybuilder or go to a gym to be fit. You can just walk / run for 30–40 minutes a day and do some pushups.
2. Have a good diet, your body is a vehicle and your food is your fuel. Would you put crappy fuel in your Mercedes ? If not then why would you put junk in your body? Stop eating junk food and eat healthy. Eating healthy does not mean you have to buy those expensive protein tubs. There are a lot of food items which are nutritious and yet cheap like groundnut, bananas, eggs etc. If you fuel your body well, it will produce more energy.
3. Take multi vitamins and mineral supplements, they are vital to your brain health and can enhance your performance a lot. You never know which vital vitamins or minerals your body lacs hence it is better to do a blood test once a year and visit a doctor. Don’t go for those expensive multivitamins which cost a fortune. Generic multivitamins at your local medical store are enough and they are affordable.
4. Taking a power nap is another great way to recharge your mind and body. If you feel tired and exhausted during the day, instead of using your phone better take a 20 minute nap. You will feel fresh and energised to work.

Directing excess energy into something meaningful:

By the end of the day we do have some excess energy.

You can spend it any any way you want but make sure that you don’t invest it into something which is counter-productive like watching TV or spending time watching dopamine inducing videos.

Bill Gates has this trampoline room built in his house so that his kids can spend their excess energy jumping all day.

The reason why it is important to spend this excess energy is to avoid its misuse.

When you have an energy built-up and it has nowhere to go, chances are we will misuse it.

Other things which you can do to spend this energy are:

1. Reading a book which will help you sleep better.
2. Working out at home or at a gym.
3. Going for a swim.
4. If you are into art, you can draw, write an article or a poem.

Once you get better at the above three things you will eventually have the energy to work on your goals and wont feel tired and lazy.

Plus when you have the energy to work on your goals and you are working towards it, you would feel naturally motivated and driven to work.

The reason why you are feeling low right now is because your body is signalling you to stop abusing all the energy you have and get things in order.

-Saurav Sharma

Life is Hard

Mistakes to be avoided during UPSC journey

 

The biggest mistake during UPSC preparation is not to learn from others mistake

Mistakes to be avoided during UPSC journey .

Failing to plan: Most candidates fail because they fail to plan their preparation. Faulty plan is biggest mistake. Let me give you example , most aspirants I talk to waste enormous time in answer writing without even covering the syllabus . This mistake costs many aspirants. Another faulty plan is giving preference to optional over GS.

Lack of discipline: Most aspirants do not have good discipline during preparation. They lack consistency.

Ignoring syllabus and pattern: It is important to know what is relevant and what’s not. Otherwise , you will waste your time doing something which is not important.

Neglecting current affairs: Current affairs is a major part of this examination from prelims to mains to interview. Most aspirants rely on yearly compilations.

Skipping revision: Revision is the backbone of your preparation

Not practicing enough mocks: Only when you practice, you know the level of your preparation. Most candidates do not practice mocks throughout the year. They wait till the end and pay heavily .

Judging yourself: UPSC offers a level playing ground for everyone. Comparing yourself with other aspirants is not a good idea.

Blindly following toppers: Most successful candidates give motivated strategies after selection as they are paid by institutes to do so . Don’t blindly follow them.

Finding success in this exam is hard, but not unattainable. Trust in yourself, your preparation and hope for the best. Take small victories and be happy no matter what the result is.

-Santosh Pandey

How much time to invest for UPSC Preparation ?

Before Starting Any Preparation... Go all out or Don't Start

I am 28 years old. Can I get a job as a fresher in the IT sector?

Yes Definitely. If you are from IT background then it will be easy for you but you need to work very hard to get an opportunity to enter in IT sector.

in 2017, I was in the same situation you are now. I have completed my B.tech from IT branch in 2014 and then I was preparing for government exam. Unfortunately i did not get selected in any government exam. And I had given almost 3 year for preparing government job but did not get any success in this. Then I decided to move to Bangalore and there I started applying in every company for job. but did not get a single offer because lack of my IT skills and 3 years career gap. Then I talked to people who is already working in IT sector and also staying in my PG. then I decided to learn Android. And I joined one couching for Learning Android. it was almost 4 months but did not get any job that that time. Then after finishing my Android course I got one call from small startup. And that time I decided this is my first and last opportunity and anyhow i need to get this job. And I started preparing for Interview. And When I reached for Interview, there was almost 30 people came for the interview. There was 3 rounds: 1st round was quant aptitude and this was the easiest for me because i had already prepared for qant and aptitude for 3 year while preparing for government job, and i was selected for the second round. And 2nd and 3rd round was technical. In last Hr came to me and told me your intervie got well. we will let you know. 1 week passed they did not call me then I called to Hr and asked my status. Then he replied that you are selected. That time I literally started crying, and called to my sister and parents. Then next day I reached to office as discussed with HR and there I met with manager, I was very happy. Manager told me that you are selected but you need to work for 6 month without pay. I was shocked, I was thinking like I have done everything for getting this job. I means job without pay. I was laughing on my self. Even I accepted that offer. I completed my 6 month on that company without pay. after six month I got my first salary 15k. and Now I am getting 10+ lpa in another startup company. And now I am very happy. I have upgraded my skills and Now I am working as a full stack developer with Angular and node.

moral: work hard, keep patience, never lose your hope. And keep an eye to grab the opportunity.

Best of luck,

Amit Singh

Another Story :

Pooja Kumari Singh wrote : 

I am btech 2013 pass-out from ECE Background.but wasted several years for PSU's.then i decided to go into IT Sector and moved to Hyderabad to do Java course…Now i am a Java developer…the company for which I am working is gurgaon based startup…recently on 26th April 2022 I joined.My current package is 1.8lpa. package is less but i am learning new things. Also there is lot of startup in gurgaon and Noida who are hiring year gap graduates …the thing only need is u must have knowledge to crack interview…

Thanks for reading…all the best 🙂

{ You can do MCA/MBA/PG Diploma/C-DAC but try to do from decent college and see the placement stats , It takes courage to start fresh. If not selected in government Job don't you want to live a good life ? Then do start and change the direction Try to think and create your path }

How much time to give for Government Job Preparation?

Why are we poor and others rich ?

How much time to give to government Job Preparation ?

For those who have not done well in prelims despite putting much effort:

1. This is just an exam, not life. Do not give more importance to UPSC or IAS than your life.
2. Take a break. And spend some time with your family how ever bitter you may feel from inside.
3. Ponder why you failed to score.
4. Remember to qualify prelims you need skill and luck. Some 100 odd questions can not judge your ability.
5. Prepare for Mains this year as if you are going to write this year mains. This will help you next year both in mains and prelims

Those who have given 2–3 prelims, yet they have not done well yesterday:

1. Please have a back up option. Some alternative career choice. Or higher study or anything. This exam is extremely unpredictable.
2. If you join a job still you can give UPSC. With a job security and lesser family pressure you can do in fact well.

Those who are new and planning to join the preparation ocean:

1. Take a time frame how many years you can give for this
2. What's your alternative plan if not upsc? Choose few since UPSC has very high failing rates.
3. Ensure that you do not create extra pressure on parents in terms of money and all.
4. If you are in college first year or second year, then do not start reading The Hindu. It does not help. Instead participate in quizzing, debate, and other events in college.
5. For 11th and 12th student focus on your 12th and college first.
6. Finally never ever consider IAS Or IPS as life. It's a job only, little glorified one though :) :)

-Abinash Mishra, IAS

Watch here : How much time to invest in preparing for government job ?

This reminds me of a Commissioner of Customs & Central Excise department, who used to be extremely honest.

This example pertains to an IRS officer, but equally valid for IAS/IPS officers as well.

He was so honest that even as a Commissioner, he would not use his government vehicle for any personal work.

He used to fetch vegetables and other groceries by riding his own old scooter.

In short, he was an epitome of honesty.

However, he was not willing to take any responsibility.

I remember a specific case when he was the Commissioner of Customs, and Annual General Transfer (AGT) Order was to be issued.

His junior had prepared the list on the direction of the Chief Commissioner (who had the reputation of being extremely corrupt) and it contained the names of many corrupt officers for important assignments even against the policy.

Hence, the association of officers met him and asked him to post the offices according to merit and integrity, rather than posting corrupt officers in important charges.

He told them very bluntly that he won’t be able to do anything because these people were the ‘men’ of Chief Commissioner.

And finally the order was issued with his approval (in the file) according to the wishes of the Chief Commissioner and many corrupt officers got sensitive postings.

He did not have the guts to even write dissent notes or reject the names suggested by the Chief Commissioner.

In my opinion, his honesty was nothing but a shield of cowardice.

These officers are the most useless officers of the government.

However, this story is not complete unless I mention you the story of his successor Commissioner, who was not as copybook honest, but was quite professional.

The same Chief Commissioner (CC) tried to play the same trick with him and asked him to post many corrupt officers in the important charges.

The new Commissioner told him clearly that he can’t accept such request verbally. He told the CC to recommend the names in writing.

The CC then recommended the names of officers in writing grudgingly.

When the recommendation was received by the Commissioner he wrote: “Considered the recommendation of CC. REJECTED.”

This became the talk of the town (department) and the CC never dared to mess with this Commissioner.

-Awdhesh Singh

Read more here : Don't Abandon Your Dreams

How many years to prepare for Government Exams ?

 

What to do if not selected in Government Job after years of Preparation ?

Government Jobs have become a talk of the town and ..............

 Government Jobs have become a talk of the town and it is growing day by day. For a lower middle class family it is the only way out to come out of that poverty. For some, social prestige is of utmost importance.

Let's first talk about the PROS -

• Job security - No bloody job can match the level of job security that you get in a government job. Even in a situation like Covid-19 which brought down countries across the world to its knees, the government employees and pensioners were getting their salary (except DA freeze) more or less on time. Post-Covid phase saw a manifold increase in craze for government and allied sector jobs. When 90% of the tech sector jobs are getting threatened by ChatGPT & AI, Government sector employees are chilled with no worries of loosing their job or getting replaced by a new invention im the market.
• Work Pressure - It surely can't be generalised because of the multiple factors involved. But majority of the civilian jobs (Desk jobs) are quite easy going in nature and you don't need to keep reeling under pressure much. Just finish your job and enjoy your time with family and friends without worries.
• Salary and Facilities - Once you get into a job, the foremost thing you desire is financial stability in life to increase the living standards. Surely government jobs are highly under-paid but at the same time it is far better than majority of the private sector jobs. You get salary on time. Combined with that you get facility of NPS which is to ensure a comfortable post-retirement life. You and your dependents get medical cover under the CGHS scheme. Apart from that there is Diwali Bonus, regular Increment in DA to compensate for inflation, Children Education Allowance, LTC, etc.

Cons -

• GROWTH - Maximum 3 promotions are possible in government jobs. Most of the government sector jobs don't have good promotional avenues. You will face heavy stagnation.
• INCREMENTS - There is a mere 3% increment in basic pay each year. With time expenses will increase but salary wouldn't grow proportionately. That will surely make you struggle to save.
• MONOTONY - You will keep doing the same job every day and 12 months in majority of the jobs.

-Vishal Kumar Dubey

{Note : Every decade or so central government employee will receive central pay commision in which their inhand effective salary will be increased by 18-22% apart from your 3% yearly increments. The bank employees in India have their own bipartite settlement every 5 years. So the salary growth is not bad. }

How many years to Prepare for Government Jobs

UPSC CSE vs 30 LPA Job

 You must first understand that civil services is not a job, but an experience.

What you get in civil services in India, you can’t get anywhere else, even in government services in other countries.

For instance, US President Donald Trump dismissed 4 appointeeas within 24 hours of taking charge and will dismiss nearly 1,000 Biden appointees who are not aligned with the goal of 'Making America Great Again'. 

In India, even the Prime Minister can’t dismiss a civil servant arbitrarily.

There is no way you can compare the private sector jobs with the civil services because in corporate, there is no job security, and you can be dismissed at any time in corporate if you don’t please your bosses.

The reasons for preferring civil services over private sector jobs are as follows.

• The President of India appoints you, and only he can dismiss you if you commit a criminal act or violate conduct rules. The dismissal has to follow a laid down procedure and is subject to judicial review and scrutiny of courts.
• If you have sufficient numbers in Parliament, you can appoint any person as the Prime Minister of India (like Dr Manmohan Singh). However, even the PM can’t make anyone an IAS, IPS or other civil services officer.
• The civil servants in India are appointed by UPSC, a constitutional body, and their jobs, promotions, perks, increments, and pensions are all protected by law.
• As a civil servant, you exercise the power the Parliament and legislature conferred to you according to your best judgment. Ministers can transfer you, but no non-civil-servant can ever exercise your powers.
• You directly contribute to the country's development, not working for any private individual or firm.
• You get decent pay and often the best perks, like a vehicle, bungalow or a good apartment, from day one in the government.
• You enjoy great power and get the best recognition in the society.

However, it is important to know that it is very difficult to get selected in the civil services examination.

• There are fewer than a thousand seats, while a million brilliant candidates apply.
• Hence, your chances of rejection are 99.9 %.
• Most UPSC aspirants have to spend 2–5 years preparing before being selected.

You must risk leaving the job only if you are willing to work hard for several years and have the confidence to get into the top 0.1%.

My advice is that you must try to prepare for the civil services examination while doing the job and quit the job only when you are reasonably close to the cut-off marks in your category.

You must also choose your service preferences wisely after understanding the pros and cons of every service and matching them with your aptitude.

If you believe that you will like the job of a civil servant, it is always a great career for any Indian youth.

-Awdhesh Singh

Danger of your.....

Source of picture: Google Images

Footnotes

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You are fired! Donald Trump purges over 1000 Joe Biden appointees; here are some notable names in the list