How to Keep Yourself Motivated and Focused while preparing for UPSC (20 Tips)

You can now crack UPSC with these tips!  

1. Have good study mates: Having the right company while studying can do wonders for you. One must get confused or might give up now and then but if one has someone to support in every way during every hurdle things seem a little easy then. So, having someone to correct our mistakes and help us be motivated will be great during the times of exam preparations, especially the toughest exam in India UPSC exams.
2. Say no to social media: Social media can be a huge distraction at the time of exams. So, try to say ‘No’ to all the social media distractions or you can distribute your screen time accordingly to make your exam preparations better and more helpful.
3. Be grateful: Appreciation gives glee which in turn is a promoter. Be thankful for your blessings and express appreciation to those who support you.
4. Be honest to yourself: Be honest to yourself with regards to your preparation for the exam. You should track each day’s progress holistically and strive to do better every day even it’s by a point 1 margin.
5. Allocate enough time to read newspapers: Reading a newspaper is a very good habit that needs to get inculcated in our daily routine. Newspaper reading is a must while preparing for competitive exams. So, one should devote enough time to reading the newspaper to know about the world and the society as it will be very critical for your exams. 
6. Have a good sleeping pattern: Create sleeping rituals think about going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Do the same thing every night before bedtime, like revise the same set of notes, have warm milk, listen to Ted talk, and be positive. Your pre-sleep actions should be soothing so your body recognizes the time to go to sleep. It will help you a lot in being calm and working on your development. Because when your body is happy your mind becomes happy.
7. Get inspired from other greats: For being motivated you need to first get inspired. And that spark of inspiration can come anytime, anywhere. It can happen after hearing a success story on television or getting to know about your friend’s success.  So, you need to keep yourself inspired for being motivated which will help you in long run.
8. Know your strength: During civil service preparation; you may be uncertain about your strengths. You may sense you are not made for this or you are not up for it. It is normal to feel this during the long process of studying and preparing. Remind yourself about your fortes that will encourage you.
9. Don’t forget to enjoy it a little: it is said that sometimes the journey is better than the destinations. So, this is your journey waiting to arrive at your destination. You will get there very soon. You just need to enjoy these little things because this progress will turn into your success.
10. Enjoy what you are doing: People love watching movies because they enjoy it. If it’s a bad movie you would never want to watch it or go through it. That goes for studying too. If you enjoy what you are doing you will love it. It will become more of a pastime than work. Firstly choose the topics or subjects you know you will enjoy because of your interests. And try to mix them with the topics you are least interested in. Treat lessons as an opportunity to learn and not as a task. Curiosity can be a great motivator to keep you going.
11. Treat yourself- studying might get hard and you can accomplish everything by appreciating your efforts and by treating yourself. Every small step will lead to bigger things you just need to believe in yourself and appreciate it. after completing every topic just treat yourself by taking a 30-minute break or having a bar of chocolate or going out on a walk. do whatever makes you feel motivated. This will push you further and make the process quick.
12. Motivate yourself: This is a very important step. You need to keep yourself motivated to get through competitive exams, things might get hard but you are giving your best and you need to appreciate yourself along with your strengths and weaknesses. It is a long way but you have started and all you need to do yourself is motivate yourself at every step.
13. Have a positive attitude: You will get through everything with an optimistic approach. You need to remain calm, composed, and positive to get through all the hurdles. Your positive attitude will give you that push you have been lacking. Everything changes with a positive mindset. If you are negative about everything then even big things will not give you happiness but on the other hand, if you are a little positive then even a small accomplishment will make you happy and will keep you motivated.
14. Take one day at a time: You need to make a timetable and plan accordingly. You can have those planners and plan out your day accordingly. That will help you be procrastination free and will help you utilize your time better. Mark your study plan and take tackle situations each day as they come. You can make a ‘to-do’ list and accomplish everything you desire by multitasking and using your time properly. You can break down your study matter into smaller parts to make it easy. Make a to-do list for each day and complete those tasks, day by day. So, it will look like you are doing things step by step.
15. Track how far you have come: Track your progress with the help of your study plan and know far you have come since the day you started preparing. This will motivate you and help you build your confidence. It will help you know about your strengths and will help you work on your weaknesses. It will help you in the long run because it will help you in keeping your topic son your tips and will help you feel better.
16. Be strong and never give up: You might get to a stage where you might feel like giving up but it is a test of your abilities and your mental strength. You might have to study for some long hours but in the end, it will be worth it. You just need to be motivated and inspired and that will help you in being strong. 
17. Find purpose: Ask yourself– “Why should I become a civil servant?” Besides decent salary and community respect, civil services will offer you abundant chances to serve the handicapped sections of society. You might have small opportunities but you will know that you joined it for this pleasure. The pleasure of helping out others. Just know your dreams and work towards them. 
18. Stay healthy: Health is wealth. You need to focus on your health along with your studies. Prepare your mind along with your body for your exam. Remember that a strong body leads to a strong mind. Workout at least 45 minutes daily to be healthy and fit to write those competitive exams. Good health will keep you motivated and will keep your spirits high. Just know that knowledge is not the only thing that will help you go through your exams, your healthy habits will play an important role in it as well.
19. Watch motivational videos: Watching motivational videos when you take a little break can be a very good stress buster. You can watch Ted Talks to feel refreshed and double motivated. These videos will be great for your morale and will boost your spirit.
20. Maintain a supportive environment: Make your study room your ideal place to study and relax. It should be free from distractions or have a limited amount of distractions. Just remember to keep your room fresh and tidy so that nothing bothers you in your personal space. You can also take the help of sticky notes, you can stick them around your room so, and they can act as a reminder for you. 

‘A winner is a dreamer who never gives up’ -Nelson Mandela

FAQs

Q1: Why is staying motivated during UPSC preparation crucial?

A1: Staying motivated is vital because UPSC exams are highly competitive and require long-term dedication. Maintaining motivation can help you stay committed to your study schedule and overcome challenges.

Q2: What are some practical tips for staying motivated during UPSC preparation?

A2: Some practical tips include setting specific goals, creating a study schedule, breaking your study sessions into manageable chunks, seeking support from family and friends, and finding your unique sources of inspiration.

Q3: How can I stay motivated when facing setbacks or low scores in practice tests?

A3: Setbacks are a part of any preparation journey. Use them as learning opportunities. Analyze your mistakes, revise your strategies, and consider seeking guidance from mentors or coaching centers to improve your performance.

Q4: Is it okay to take breaks during UPSC preparation, and how do breaks affect motivation?

A4: Yes, taking breaks is essential for maintaining motivation and preventing burnout. Short, planned breaks can recharge your mind and help you focus better when you return to your studies.

Q5: How can I stay motivated when the UPSC syllabus is extensive and overwhelming?

A5: Divide the syllabus into smaller, manageable segments. Celebrate small victories, and track your progress. This approach can help you see the path forward and stay motivated as you make steady progress.

Q6: Can I find motivation from other UPSC aspirants?

A6: Absolutely. Interacting with other UPSC aspirants can provide a sense of camaraderie, and you can learn from each other’s experiences and strategies. Consider joining study groups or online forums for mutual support.

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