F.A.I.L.E.D.

These six letters of the alphabet stared at me from the screen on 15 September when I attempted the PMP exam at Pearson, Secunderabad.

It was a whiplash – searing pain right down to the soles of my feet and a numb feeling overcame my entire being. Somehow I hurried out and reached the car, drank some water and called up my mentor & guide Sandesh Sharma Sir to tell him it was all lost.

Driving back home, the long hours of the online training post the initial lockdown, countless hours thereafter bending into books, multiple flash card decks plus the one month spent preparing for long hours even when I reached home on leave after five long months  – it all seemed pointless and futile.

Reaching home, my teenage kids couldn’t believe me so down. They googled to see the failure rate and showed me the tough pass percentages to pep me up. However, nothing seemed to matter at that time. It seemed all very futile.

I gave it deep thought and after a while, with renewed vigour, got back to the books – I wasn’t going to live with this ignominy surely. That’s just not the way I’m wired !

On a call, I was reminded by my trainer that perhaps the way I went about studying was not the best methodology for the test. I researched, read and re-read everything once again. I am gonna make it and will give whatever it takes.

Seniors like Raza Sir and friends like Shubham and Sunil were there to encourage me all along the way. The last few days Raza Sir and me were exchanging notes on an almost daily basis. Later, he qualified for the credential and I was euphoric on his success.

I booked a nice morning slot for the 23rd of December. 9.30 am seemed a nice time to appear – fresh and bright for the four hour haul the exam requires to complete the 200 situational questions. However, here too fate decided that I prepone the date to 20th December Sunday for a 5 pm slot.

I went through with focus, determination and all the good wishes of family and friends.

Past 9 pm the screen read – CONGRATULATIONS !

I picked up my phone and dialled Sandesh Sir – his 680th successful candidate !

I had redeemed my labour – literally rising from the ashes ….