CA: 7 steps to clear thinking

Seven steps to clear thinking for CA students

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't-- you're right. A famous writer Edward de Bono wrote seven steps to clear thinking. The rules that come handy to shape your thought process.

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Here is how you can incorporate those seven rules in your CA journey:

PMI (Plus Minus Interesting)

From someone saying "ICAP pass nahin karta" to someone scoring a gold medal in all subjects, CA students daily face many people. Some are motivating enough to make them believe that they will score merit in the next attempt while others so demotivating that they start thinking CA is just a fantasy that they can never live.

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Along with that, social pressure goes hand in hand. Although they meet many inspirational personalities, the negative ones prevail in their thinking. 

The aim of doing PMI is to achieve broadmindedness. It is an attention expander and prevents us from seeing only red. Hence, plus all the positives and minus all the negatives.

Simply the students should apply PMI and minus those negative images created by failure or society pressure and add those motivational, inspirational personalities and their experiences to their mind that would help them to be an attention expander. 

CAF (Consider all factors)

Don't be a pessimist, and don't be over optimist either. What we generally do? We only observe and investigate one side of the picture and ignore all other factors.

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So before getting into CA, you must consider all the given factors

1: This is a highly uncertain certification that can be completed within six years, or even more.

2: You must work hard throughout CA studies no matter you are at the AFC level or MSA.

3: You will have to work for a couple of years at low stipend rates during the internship.

4: You will easily manage to get a white-collar job with a bulky starting package.

5: You will enjoy the rest of your life without any worry of unemployment.

6: CA has a way to lower the unemployment rate than any other degree or certification.

And many other factors should be considered by CA students. 

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C & S (Consequences and sequel)

The De Bono technique is to imagine the probable outcome of the decision at four distances in future

1: Immediate

2: Short term (1-5 Years)

3: Medium-term (5-25 Years)

4: Long term (above 25 Years) 

So, CA students should think about their decision in those four stages. What is needed now when starting the CA? Can I complete it in the short or medium-term? What if I can't finish it in the medium term? What would I do after completion?

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AGO (Aim, Goal, Objective)

This is an essential step that fascinates me. As a CA student, I meet many CA students and CA aspirants daily, but one thing that is missing in their personality is AIM?

Most of the CA don't have a specific target. They don't plan; they don't know what will happen if they can't complete CA within the next 6-7 years. They don't have a time frame about completion. They don't know what they would choose after CAF for articles firms or industry?

So, you must apply AGO to make your thinking clearer in the short and long term.

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FIP (First important Priorities)

Remember, 'Feeling is no substitute for thinking.'

Suppose someone wants to borrow money from you. Your top priorities would be when will he repay the loan? What should be the terms and conditions?

Similarly, a CA should consider all the relevant factors while taking a subject. Suppose you are going to take CAF-9. You should consider top priorities as 

Should I take online classes or regular coaching?

What would be the cost-effective and efficient method of taking classes? Etc.

But once you are done with this process, then stick with it and never listen to friends who are saying XYZ teacher is better than ABC teacher, and you should go there.

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APC (Alternate, possibilities, Choices)

“Think out of the box” is a common phrase we all know. Do we apply this while deciding?

No, we don't look for other possibilities and choices, and we stick to our traditional and conventional thinking.

If you are a CA student and you can't pass papers of AFC in your 5th or 6th attempt, it might mean that CA is not for you. Accept reality!

If you are studying CA and don't appear for graduation depending upon only CA, this may not be fair.

Always consider all the possibilities and think out of the box and question yourself, what if I can't pass in the next six years?

Do I have another qualification that worthy, and I can earn my livelihood?

Don’t mind it. Never question your abilities; always trust yourself but prepare for worse.

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OPV (Other point of view)

Not only are you sure to produce thoughts that surprise you, but you may well see a solution to the problems.

You will be better able to find the solution if you try to see the situation from another person’s perspective.

So always listen to other's points of view before deciding, and once you are done, stay consistent as consistency is the key to success for CA students.

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At last, whether you are going to start CA or you are in AFC, CAF, or CFAP, always apply these steps that are worth practicing and can significantly change your thought process for better results.