Test of your abilities

CONFIDENCE: Let us begin with a poem titled ‘Begin It Now’ by Goethe.

Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chances to drawback, always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans.

That the moment one definitely commits oneself then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favour all manner, of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way .

Whatever your dream is begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Begin it now.

When the time is right the moment arrives, we have to pause and ask ourselves if we are truly prepared to face the music.

When we face an audition or assessment, we are actually tested on our talents and capabilities. The moment we are told about the interview or audition date we immediately begin to panic and our nerves are given the perfect chance to bring our morale down. It’s actually hilarious as before we are told we have to face a confident test about our abilities.

Overcoming your nervesness when you have to face a judge panel or an audience is a critical necessity.

You may know your facts or you may possess excellent capabilities. But if you fail your first assessment or fail in making a good impression at the first instance, due to lack in confidence you will have to say goodbye to great opportunities.

Here are some tips which I have learned through experience:

* Imagine yourself to be the examiner or the judge.

What would you expect of the prospective candidate? Write all the requirements down in point form and assess yourself to see where your deficiencies lie. When this task is complete begin to address your deficiencies one at a time and build up strength to defeat them.

* Be presentable.

The first impression or how you groom yourself shows how you care about the job. It is vital to be presentable keeping in mind the correct outlook you have to obtain to succeed in interviews. * Patience.

Never be in a hurry to begin and end your sentences like an unexpected gust of wind. Be calm. Take deep breaths and reassure the people accessing you that you have everything under control.

When under pressure behaviour is vital. If you pass this test you will gain immediate bonus points.

* Etiquette

You may feel that this is not a vital quality. You are wrong.

The time period in which you are being assessed should be the perfect time for you to showcase your courteousness and fine qualities.

Respect and appreciation towards good etiquette is always acknowledged with good recommendation.

* Order

Maintain order in speech. Maintain order in presentation. Walk with the correct attitude. Maintain order in the presentation of writing. Sustain order in efficiency. Preserve productive thinking. Your mind should never be a mess.

When I was a child and attended auditions for stage plays in school, I was always given very minor roles to play. I was either the butterfly or the flower.

I was very disheartened as I yearned to act as the female lead in a school play. After numerous auditions and numerous rejections, I began to remember why I wasn’t chosen for a role. Keeping all those thoughts in mind I was determined to get a speaking role in a play and voila the opportunity arrived when I was 14.

I learned a valuable lesson through this exercise. When you get hurt with rejection learn to deal with the pain. Get your emotions straightened out immediately.

Don’t allow yourself to cry or mourn. Avoid self pity. The faster you find to recover from self pity, the better.

Reaction to rejection is completely unnecessary. To be victorious we must be brave enough to learn from our failures.

Now remember when you enter the interview room for the first time, enter the room with the aim to succeed the test of your abilities. If you fail your first test or the job interview please be open minded and be ready to learn, at anytime, anywhere and from anyone.

Peace and love forever.