Rise Above Fear

Fear is the only thing which keeps many away from success. Fear could be anything and could come out of anywhere. If we change our paradigm we will come to know that the definition of fear changes from person to person. One may feel fear by seeing cockroaches and other may feel the fear in his nerves by seeing a rat. Some students do fear about the exam so badly and they fail or underperform due to the fear. Similarly some persons are terrified about their job interviews and collapse during the interview.

I was appearing in the SSB interview few years back. Those five days are never forgettable. On the first day there were around 300 candidates turned up for the interview from all over India. Our documents were checked and we were asked to fill up our bio-data forms. In the late evening we were asked to go back to the mess and have rest.

Next day our schedule was very tight. We had to first participate in the group discussion on a picture shown to us as part of PPDT test. After some time results were declared and 32 candidates were shortlisted for further tests. My name was also in the list of shortlisted candidates.

Everything was looking very strange to me as it was my first time. After lunch we had to write stories for 12 more pictures shown on the screen. Also there was a situation reaction test and word association test. All went very well for me. At the end of the day we all were very tired due to hectic schedule. Next day we were told to come in the PT dress i.e., in white T shirt and white shorts.

We all got assembled at a ground where various physical tests were about to be held. An officer of SSB selection board came and introduced himself to us. After his introduction he told us that we have to undergo individual obstacle test right away. He started to explain all the ten obstacles one by one which we had to attempt. Obstacles were optional and if one could complete all the obstacles and still have time in hand, he may attempt other obstacles too. We had only three minutes to show our stamina.

In the obstacles, there was an obstacle in which one had to jump from 20 feet wooden platform and catch a rope and then one had to swing and reach to other end. I was thinking that what will happen if we can't hold the rope correctly. Fear was filled in my mind on the very thought of it.

My turn came for the obstacle test. I planned that I will first complete all obstacles except that jumping one. Also I thought that time won't be there for that obstacle. But to my surprise I finished nine obstacles in two minutes and now I had to go for the last but the most feared obstacle.

I thought for a second that I should overcome my fear and face the challenge. It was like then or never as if I would not attempt it I was never going to succeed. I took a deep breath and jumped from the wooden platform. I was about to catch the rope and the time seemed to be stalled for a while. Then I got the rope correctly and finished it up with full confidence. 

Whenever I see Mountain Dew advertisement, above incident comes in my mind and I simply smile.

From then on my confidence was very high during the entire interview and got selected. Till now I follow the same rule of "Raise above fear" whenever I dread about something.

PS : Above article was written for Rise above fear contest held by Indiblogger in association with Mountain Dew.