Cerebrate Weekly: The Hardest Path is the Easiest Way to Your Goals
Sounds a bit paradoxical, right? Well, let me share you a story. When I reached the end of my fourth year of medical school, I faced a crisis which all med students go through in their life. What next and where?
With hectic final year exams and one year of toiling internship ahead on my journey, I explored different medical specialties & the pathways for residency at different places.
Ultimately, I decided to pursue my residency in the US. But, this decision was not easy! It had its own challenges.
Pursuing residency in US is one of the hardest pathways any med student can take in their life. It is the most prestigious, decorated and above all, most competitive route to residency.
This journey begins by appearing for the USMLEs and scoring well on those exams.
The USMLEs are a series of three examinations, spanning a total of 36 hours (yep, you heard it right, 36!!) and are undoubtedly, the most difficult licensing exam in the world. One has to clear STEP 1 & STEP 2 in order to pursue a residency.
This is where the crux of this newsletter begins!
As I stepped into the USMLE journey, I took a major decision when it came to preparation. I decided to prepare for both exams in a single go: a risk very few people in the entire world dare to take.
The stakes were really high as USMLEs are single-attempt examinations. The craziness doesn’t end there: I had my non-negotiable final year university exams waiting to haunt me in the months ahead!
In a normal world (like the one everyone lives!), clearing these exams take anywhere between 12 to 18 months of grueling preparation with each exam requiring 6 months of dedicated period. In my world, I decide to complete the same exams within the span of 6 months.
In the non-medical world, this journey is equivalent to hunting three lions with a single bullet or shooting down three missiles with a single drone (whichever is relatable or appropriate to you!). And the end result of this seemingly impossible & moreover insane journey?
I cleared the USMLEs with a dream score of 269 (97th percentile) and my final year exam with honors and as a top student!. But why risk it all? Why take the hardest route out there when you can take a much easier, simple, traditional path?
Well, that’s because it is the easiest way in the long run! Now that I have done my USMLEs and performed well, I can focus on other areas of my residency application: rotations, research, building CV, personal statement, all without being distracted by the prospect of a huge exam on the back of my mind.
As James Clear rightly mentioned, “The hard way is the fast way”. The idea is to take the hardest but the most perfect way to do a thing so that you don’t have to do it again. If you are studying for an exam, learn broadly the first time so that you don’t have to struggle with them later!
If you are building a home, use the best materials for construction initially so that it is easy to maintain in the future! If you are looking for gear to shoot videos, buy an expensive camera once which last years over a phone which depreciates in production quality with time!
In his famous book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People”, Stephen Covey writes: “Begin, with the end in mind”. Covey suggests that by focusing on the long-term goal and doing things thoroughly from the beginning (even if it is the hardest way), you avoid the need for rework and ensure success in the future.
Cal Newport also supports a similar notion in his book, “Deep Work”. He advocates for intense, focused effort from the start, which, though challenging initially, results in high-quality work that doesn’t need to be redone.
✍🏼Quote of the Week
Do it right the first time and you won’t have to do it over the next time – James Clear
Tweet🧠Food for Thought
What’s the ONE Thing you can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier?
📖Read and Rise
Burn the Boats & Re-Invent Yourself: Sometimes, the best way to achieve success is by eliminating your safety net and fully committing, as history’s greatest leaders did. Like Alexander the Great burning his boats, taking bold, decisive action can push you beyond your limits and lead to extraordinary results. No Plan B—just all-in focus.
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