Do You Feel Demotivated by What People Think of You? How to Get Over It | MBA Motivation

Why Other People’s Opinions Affect Us So Deeply

When you’re preparing for MBA entrances, you’re usually in a transition phase of life. You’re not fully a student anymore, not yet where you want to be professionally. This in-between stage makes external opinions feel louder.

People’s comments hurt more because:

• Your results are not visible yet

• Your effort happens quietly

• You already carry self-doubt internally

• You care about proving yourself

The problem isn’t that people talk. The problem is we start measuring ourselves through their words.

Understand This First: Most Opinions Are Projections

A hard truth most aspirants learn late:
People rarely comment from a place of understanding.

Many opinions come from:

• Fear of uncertainty

• Their own missed chances

• Limited exposure to competitive exams

• Concern mixed with misunderstanding

Their words are not evaluations of your potential. They are reflections of their comfort zones.

How to Get Over It – Practical, Not Philosophical

1. Separate Noise from Feedback

Not all opinions deserve your attention.

• Feedback helps you grow

• Noise only creates doubt

If someone isn’t helping you improve or supporting your journey, their opinion is optional.

2. Stop Explaining Your Journey to Everyone

You don’t owe constant explanations.

Not everyone needs to understand:

• Your timeline

• Your preparation strategy

• Your career choices

Protect your mental space. Share details only with people who genuinely support you.

3. Anchor Yourself to Your “Why”

When motivation drops, go back to basics.

Ask yourself:

• Why did I choose MBA?

• What kind of life do I want?

• What will staying consistent give me in the long run?

Clear reasons silence external noise faster than motivational quotes.

                       

4. Let Results Speak, Not Reactions

You don’t need to prove anything every day.

Preparation is a quiet phase. Output comes later.
Focus on effort now. Validation can wait.

5. Accept That Discomfort Is Part of Growth

If everyone approved of your choices, you probably wouldn’t be growing.

Feeling misunderstood often means:

• You’re doing something difficult

• You’re choosing long-term effort over short-term comfort

That discomfort is not a sign to stop. It’s a sign you’re moving.

For MBA Aspirants Specifically: A Reality Check

CAT preparation is lonely at times.
MBA preparation is invisible to outsiders.
Mock scores fluctuate. Confidence dips.

None of this means you’re failing. It means you’re in the process.

Many successful MBA students once sat exactly where you are now — doubting themselves because of others’ opinions.

A Thought to Hold On To

People will talk when you try.
People will talk if you quit.
People will talk even if you succeed.

So the only opinion that truly matters is the one that helps you sleep peacefully at night knowing you tried honestly.

Final Words

If you’re feeling demotivated by what people think of you, pause — not to quit, but to reconnect with yourself. You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to be consistent despite the noise.

Your journey doesn’t need approval. It needs commitment.

                         

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it normal to feel demotivated during CAT preparation?
Yes. Almost every serious aspirant experiences this phase.

2. How do I stop caring about others’ opinions?
You don’t stop caring overnight. You learn to prioritise your goals over their words.

3. What if people are right about my weaknesses?
Work on weaknesses quietly. Opinions don’t improve you, action does.

4. Can overthinking affect CAT performance?
Yes. Mental pressure often impacts focus and mock scores.

5. How do I stay mentally strong during preparation?
Stick to routine, limit comparisons, and remind yourself why you started.