Yash Sharma
“The key is not spending time, but investing it.” – Stephen R. Covey
Delving into the Company Secretary curriculum isn’t just about putting in long hours, it’s about making those hours count. This quote reshaped how I approached preparation. I once believed more time meant better results, but I learned it’s the quality of effort that truly matters. When I began treating each session as an investment, my focus sharpened, and my performance improved.
Many students still assume that 10 to 12 hours of daily study guarantees success. In chasing those numbers, they often sacrifice sleep, thinking it gives them an edge. But it doesn’t. A study by MIT found that students who slept more and followed consistent sleep schedules performed significantly better, sleep habits alone explained nearly 24% of grade differences[1]. So, cutting rest isn’t a shortcut; it’s a silent setback.
With that myth out of the way, it’s time to talk real strategy. Among the many techniques I tried, one personal method made a real difference I call it the “PEC Man” approach.
Inspired by the arcade game Pac-Man, much like the classic arcade game Pac-Man, where the character keeps moving forward – focused, alert, and collecting every point in its path. we, as CS aspirants, must remain in motion, consistently targeting our goals, overcoming distractions, and avoiding burnout
That’s exactly why this framework is named PEC Man, because success doesn’t come from standing still, but from purposeful, energized, and consistent action.
To truly understand how the PEC Man Theory works, let’s break down its three core elements, one step at a time.
P – Prioritize with Purpose:
One of the biggest challenges for CS aspirants is not the lack of time, but the lack of clarity on where to invest that time. “Prioritize with Purpose” means going beyond just making a to-do list. It’s about identifying which subjects or topics hold the upmost importance.
For instance, during the revision phase, many students make the mistake of distributing their time equally across all subjects and topics. While this may feel balanced, it often puts you at a disadvantage, especially when you’re spending valuable time on low-weightage or rarely asked topics, while the high-impact ones are left under-revised.
To avoid this, one can follow the ABC Analysis technique. This method categorizes your topics into three levels:
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- A: Most important and high-priority topics, frequently asked and high-weightage.
- B: Important topics that still need attention but aren’t as critical as ‘A’.
- C: Low-priority topics that are either rarely asked or have minimal marks – but shouldn’t be completely ignored, as tricky papers often pick questions from these overlooked sections.
By applying this strategy, your revision becomes purpose-driven, helping you focus more on what truly matters.
If you’re interested in understanding the ABC Analysis in more depth, I recommend you to read an article by Aubrey Nekvinda[2] which explains the concept from a time-management perspective.
E – Energize Your Effort:
Just like in a race, selecting the best car is only half the job, you also need fuel to keep it running. Without energy, even the fastest car won’t make it past the first lap. The same principle applies to exam preparation. Simply classifying topics using methods like ABC Analysis doesn’t guarantee success. What truly drives your preparation forward is the ability to energize your effort, to study with focus, engagement, and sustained mental clarity.
One of the most effective ways to stay energized during long study hours is by using the Pomodoro Technique. While the traditional format suggests 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, many students find the 50:10 approach (50 minutes study, 10 minutes break) far more beneficial. This is because it often takes 5–10 minutes just to enter a state of flow—a deep level of concentration—and the longer focus window helps make the most of that momentum.
Instead of simply explaining how to apply this technique, I highly recommend this three-hour guided Pomodoro session by Justin Sung[3]. It’s a “study with me” video that offers real-time focus sessions along with guided 10-minute breaks—making it an easy and effective way to stay energized and consistent during long study hours.
C – Commit Consistency:
Now it’s time to put the final piece of the puzzle in place ‘Commit Consistency’. After you’ve prioritized with purpose and found ways to energize your effort, what truly brings lasting success is the ability to stay consistent over time.
One simple yet powerful method to build consistency is the “Don’t Break the Chain” technique, popularized by comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The idea is simple: each day you complete your study goal—no matter how small, you mark an X on a calendar. As the streak grows, so does your motivation to keep it going. This visual progress builds accountability and gradually turns consistency into a habit.
To sum it up and make it even easier to understand, you can watch You-tube short by Gohar Khan[4], in which he explains the concept of ‘Don’t Break the Chain’ precisely.
In the end, it’s all about showing up every single day. Even a simple trick like Don’t Break the Chain can push you to stay on track, especially when motivation dips. And with this final piece in place, the PEC Man Framework isn’t just a strategy, it’s a mindset to help every CS aspirant stay focused, fired up, and moving steadily toward success.
Let your effort be consistent, your focus intentional, and success will take care of itself. The path to becoming a Company Secretary isn’t defined by intensity alone, but by clarity, discipline, and the small, deliberate choices you make each day. Stick to the process and the results will follow.
“Focus, effort, and consistency – your quiet weapons for loud results.”
Attached are:
1. The article (Manually typed written in Word file)
2. My signed Declaration-cum-Undertaking
3. My full contact details:
i. Name: Yash Sharma
ii. Permanent Address: Hno. 154, Vindhyachal Valley, Karariya Farm, Near Railway Coach Factory, Bhopal (M.P.)
iii. Contact No.: +91 8827170754
Reference:
[1] Research Link – https://news.mit.edu/2019/better-sleep-better-grades-1001
[2] Article Link – https://hubstaff.com/blog/abc-method-time-management/
