There was once a legendary swordsman in Japan by the name of Roronoa Zoro. He had mastered the 3 blade style of combat and was undefeated even after countless battles. This was soon to change. Zoro was challenged by the Armoured Samurai of Nagamachi. Try as he might Zoro could not cut through the thick armour of his adversary. He wondered where he lacked, his strength was unformidable , his blades sharp and yet he could not cut his opponent. As he lay defeated on the ground, he remembered his Sensei’s words “There are blades which cannot cut even paper, while the same blade can cut steel.” Two of his swords lay broken by his side, leaving only the cursed sword Sandai Kitetsu. He realised his blades had broken not because they were weak but because he didn’t believe he could cut steel. Without conviction he could not cut even paper. He had to believe that he could win, that he could cut steel, only then would his blade believe it.

He picked himself up from the ground, the air was heavy and his breaths deep. The Armoured Samurai turned towards him, surprised to see his opponent still alive. Zoro felt the wind flow by his sword and split in two, as if acknowledging the strength of his conviction. He took the stance for Ittoryu Lion Slash attack and charged. The two swordsmen crossed each other but only one was left standing. His Sensei was right, steel can be cut. In his heart he thanked his opponent, for without him he would never have overcome his limitations. He would have been the best swordsman but not to the best of his abilities. He is now- ‘Roronoa Zoro – the man who can even cut steel.’

As we prepare for each of these exams we must realise that there are swordsmen who can cut nothing, those who can cut only CAT and those who can cut everything but CAT. It amounts to nothing if we don’t believe in our ability to crack it. I spent half of last year pondering if I could crack it rather than sharpening my skills and improving my mock scores. My 96 could have been a 99. We must all find our convictions first and then prepare for victory. Then half the battle is already won.

“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”

–Muhammad Ali