How to Stay Motivated When Everyone Around You Complains About the GMAT
As you’re studying for the GMAT, you may encounter a number of your peers who are disenchanted with the GMAT preparation process. These people tend to feel indignant about the fact that they have to study for the GMAT and may have struggled with GMAT prep in the past. They might express cynicism or frustration, and hearing that kind of commentary again and again can start to wear on your own motivation.
You also may encounter people who don’t have any experience with the GMAT and simply don’t understand why it’s important or why you’re devoting so much time to studying for it. These people may say disparaging things about the test or try to convince you to spend your time on things that are more enjoyable or worthwhile in their eyes. The GMAT might seem like a strange or excessive hurdle to them, and unfortunately, they may not keep those opinions to themselves.
If you’re surrounded by negative talk about the GMAT, it’s no wonder you’d have trouble staying positive. So, what can you do?
First, it helps to do a quick audit of the voices in your headspace. Sometimes we don’t even realize how negative the people around us are until we step back and notice how their words are affecting us. If you’ve been feeling particularly down on studying or finding it hard to stay committed, ask yourself whether some of that negativity might be coming from outside influences you’ve been exposed to.
If the answer is yes, then it may be time to set some boundaries. That doesn’t mean you need to cut people out of your life, but it might mean putting a little distance between yourself and those who routinely bring a defeatist attitude to conversations about the GMAT. Even if the negativity is unintentional, it can still affect your mindset. And you deserve to protect your progress.
You can also have honest conversations with people about why the GMAT is important to you. Talk to them about your goals, your plans for business school, and the effort it takes to get there. In many cases, people aren’t aware of the effect their comments are having. A little bit of honest communication can go a long way. You may even find that people who were once dismissive become more supportive once they understand your perspective.
Finally, if you’re spending time on forums or social media and find yourself constantly reading about people struggling with the GMAT or expressing how much they hate it, remember that you are seeing just one side of the story. For every discouraging post, there’s another story about someone who stuck with it, pushed through challenges, and succeeded. Actively seek out those stories. Read about people who started where you are and made it to where you want to go. Surrounding yourself with those narratives is a powerful way to remind yourself of what’s possible.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep
