I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in January 2023 – January 10, 2023, to be precise! That day I received more calls than I would get on my birthdays… I think all CAs will agree with this.
This day was the result of hard work, multiple attempts, failures and a mantra my non-Commerce-background father would tell me after each of my failed attempts –
“Aisa Ran chodh dass mat ban”
“All is well”
“Sher hai tu”
“You are a blessed kid”
My dearest father would engrave these thoughts in my mind every time I failed my CA exams or for that matter, anything in my life. He didn’t know that, but he was unknowingly making my belief system stronger and helping me manifest my dreams.
I took at least two attempts for each group of the intermediate and final exams and during each succeeding attempt, I convinced myself that this was a chance to do better and score more. First attempts are celebrated grandly and many look at second chance as failure.
My father’s daily motivation and affirmation made me strongly believe that I was destined to be the first CA in my entire bloodline and I would constantly visualize my convocation day – and it actually happened! But yes, the journey has not been easy.
I strongly believe that failure is the biggest teacher and that I am truly a blessed kid because my father said so. Nothing in life can shake this belief (that) I have about myself. So, when I failed at things or for that matter in my attempts in CA exams, I did not look at them as a weakness. I took it as a learning – sure, I felt upset and unlucky – I felt stressed too, but the core belief that ‘all is going to end well for me’ stayed strong.
Every invention in this world came out of an idea – something intangible – but the inventor believed in it strongly and that drove them to work on it. The simple math here is that we don’t do anything unless and until we believe in it. Our belief system moves us through the day and through life.
Most of you would have heard about the book “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne and also about how you can manifest things easily into your life. Now many would say, “I tried it, but it didn’t work for me” or “How does it work without taking any effort?” or “How can just talking positive help me to get anywhere in life? – that is stupid!”
Well!! I hear you and so does the Universe. Using mantras or having positive self-talk isn’t enough if you don’t believe in it and do it just to keep yourself pushing through the bad days. You need to feel it within you and believe that it is true.
I guarantee you that manifestation is real and very powerful. I also assure you that you have manifested many things in your life without realizing you did it. Look back at what you termed as being a coincidence or what you referred to as ‘destiny’. All that you desired and – in fact abhorred too. Remember the trip you always wanted to take as a little kid and when you finally did it you told others, “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to do this” or something simple such as, “You know what! Since morning, I have been thinking about a cheesecake, and you bought it for me.”
We are easily inclined to negative thoughts, fears and beliefs because our natural instinct is to protect ourselves and survive. Our ancestors hunted and battled to survive. Darwin proved that only the fittest survived. It is in our DNA to look out for troubles and protect ourselves; so, we naturally imagine the worst-case scenario rather than the best-case scenario, since the core belief is that only the fittest survive.
In today’s world, this belief is not just limited to physical survival, but even in the daily race we run – be it in our career, at our workplace or, for that matter, in our social life. To win our battles, we are inclined to list out all the possible scenarios of failure and then identify how to protect ourselves from failing. We are all wired that way.
At home, my parents have taught us not to say negative things. In Marathi, there is a saying, “Vaastu tathastu boltey” meaning “The universe listens and nods a yes!!” Words carry power, so one should consciously avoid talking negative about oneself. The simple logic is that by talking negatively, you may manifest it. For example, something as petty as “I never get a seat in the train”, “It’s always jammed up when I am running late for the office.” We have our own assumptions about ourselves and that is how we always end up attracting the same result every time.
So, when someone says, “Stay positive and you shall manifest the life you want”, it seems like a scam to most of us. I want you to stop and think – had it been just a scam, many things would not have been possible – the very process of thinking of a possibility is what has led to many creations and cures for various diseases.
Mantras, affirmations and visualizations carry much power to shift our belief system and make things come into our life in ways (that) we call destiny, luck, coincidence, magic, dream-come-true-moment and punya – the fruit of good karma.
Often, during CA exams, we fail in our first attempt even though we were all ready and prepared for the exam. The next time we look at what went wrong – we change our revision strategy, we also go through certain topics that we might have skipped during the previous attempt. Basically, we do things differently the next time – to clear the exam.
Likewise in life too, when you find yourself at your lowest, know that it isn’t a failure, it is a clean slate – a new chance to start all over again – this time with more clarity – knowing what not to do and how to face it. Be it an exam, interview, your weight loss journey, getting more clients or simply trying to follow a better disciplined morning routine. Do it again and again till you get it right. As CAs, if we have learnt anything it is that no matter how many attempts it takes, do not give up till you become successful. It is only in our profession that Chartered Accountants carry their attempts as badges of pride and respect. We celebrate second chances and even the twentieth one with great honor.
My failed attempts taught me that if failing was inevitable, but willingness was there, the next chance stood in front of you with open arms. The trick of mind, love of heart and the art of second chance is all what you need to start anew, start afresh.
Just focus on the target like it is just new and for real once again. Second chances offer one a new lifeline, a helpline. Just like in the game of monopoly, where one has two options at every turn – one definitely chooses the one that is most profitable. It is for you to recognize that second chance.
Lewis Carroll is attributed to have once said, “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.”
Even fruit-bearing trees do not always bear the sweetest fruits all the time, sometimes the tree needs to be nurtured and given more attention and care. Once you know something is wrong, you have to go to the root of the problem – second chance is all about digging right up to the root and making the base stronger than before.
Second chance isn’t an attribute of your first failure, but it characterizes – “I am aware of you, but this time I am sure about myself.” Second chances are always the best. The art of second chances draws a winning road. All you need is to learn the art and believe in yourself and manifest the life of your dreams.
About Manali
Manali is a Chartered Accountant with experience in statutory audits, including ICFR engagements and exposure to complex Ind AS transactions. She also holds the ACCA Diploma in IFRS (DipIFRS) which has helped her strengthen expertise in international financial reporting standards.
She has gained professional experience working with one of the big fours for a brief period, while having an overall professional experience of 3 years post qualification. She is passionate about delivering work with integrity and precision while continuously striving for growth.
Outside of work, she enjoys writing, reading, dancing, and engaging in meaningful conversations about life and personal development.
She can be reached on manalimahadik96@gmail.com
