New Components and a Proper Mindset for Promotional Exams
By Ed Esposito and Larry E. Holtz, March 7, 2017
This is not the year to blindly enter into the promotional examination process only to find that you are wholly unprepared. The Civil Service Commission has added new components to the exam and, by all accounts, this year’s promotional exam for the ranks of Police Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain should prove to be the most difficult to date.
New guidelines will form a unique and challenging component for testing. For example, promotional candidates will need to develop a good working knowledge of the all-new Attorney General Directive Establishing Interim Policies, Practices, and Procedures to Implement Criminal Justice Reform Act. In addition, the all-new Body Worn Camera Directive, along with the Directive Regarding Automated Deconfliction of Planned Law Enforcement Operations and Investigations will be front and center for potential new exam items.
Given the changes that are anticipated, you must set time aside to prepare and be sure to program your mind for peak performance. Clearly, one of the most powerful resources you have at your disposal is your “subconscious mind.” It consists, in part, of a mechanism that seeks to accomplish the goals and suggestions created by your imagination. The subconscious is impersonal and nonjudgmental. It cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is imagined. The subconscious mind will do its best to accomplish whatever clear-cut goal you put in front of it. It cannot tell the difference between a successful goal or a goal of failure. In fact, it can’t tell the difference between success and failure.
In other words, you can use your mental functions to produce positive benefits for yourself. This can be accomplished by continually saying to yourself, “I will do outstanding on this upcoming exam!” “I will be number one!” It is important to understand that this component of preparation is done solely by you, and you alone. This will result in creating a positive foundation that will program your subconscious mind to win.
Your body will react in a way that helps you achieve whatever goal the mind thinks you desire. For example, if you repeatedly walk around saying to yourself, “I’m going to fail.” “I don’t know anything.” “I can’t do this.” “I can’t picture myself getting promoted.” Then, guess what — your subconscious mind will think that your goal is to fail—to not move up in rank. Then you will find it extremely difficult to properly prepare because your subconscious mind has already decided that you will not be able to succeed. If such an undesirable thought process is established, your subconscious mind will inadvertently prevent your ability learn.
On the other hand, if you can imagine yourself not only scoring very high on this exam but also getting promoted and placing your new rank insignia on your uniform, then your mind will “subconsciously” enable you to turn what you imagine into reality!
The power of your subconscious mind cannot be ignored or underestimated throughout the promotional preparation process. Therefore, you have to imagine your goals as being a reality between now and test time. This includes acting as if you already have all the knowledge, skills, abilities and traits of one in the rank for which you are testing.
Think positive, work hard, be persistent, and stay committed. These are the ingredients to your success. Remember, the most critical part of the effort of moving up in rank is setting a goal and meeting that goal. That is why the Holtz-Esposito collaboration was formed, and is dedicated to helping our students achieve their career goals and aspirations.
New guidelines will form a unique and challenging component for testing. For example, promotional candidates will need to develop a good working knowledge of the all-new Attorney General Directive Establishing Interim Policies, Practices, and Procedures to Implement Criminal Justice Reform Act. In addition, the all-new Body Worn Camera Directive, along with the Directive Regarding Automated Deconfliction of Planned Law Enforcement Operations and Investigations will be front and center for potential new exam items.
Given the changes that are anticipated, you must set time aside to prepare and be sure to program your mind for peak performance. Clearly, one of the most powerful resources you have at your disposal is your “subconscious mind.” It consists, in part, of a mechanism that seeks to accomplish the goals and suggestions created by your imagination. The subconscious is impersonal and nonjudgmental. It cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is imagined. The subconscious mind will do its best to accomplish whatever clear-cut goal you put in front of it. It cannot tell the difference between a successful goal or a goal of failure. In fact, it can’t tell the difference between success and failure.
In other words, you can use your mental functions to produce positive benefits for yourself. This can be accomplished by continually saying to yourself, “I will do outstanding on this upcoming exam!” “I will be number one!” It is important to understand that this component of preparation is done solely by you, and you alone. This will result in creating a positive foundation that will program your subconscious mind to win.
Your body will react in a way that helps you achieve whatever goal the mind thinks you desire. For example, if you repeatedly walk around saying to yourself, “I’m going to fail.” “I don’t know anything.” “I can’t do this.” “I can’t picture myself getting promoted.” Then, guess what — your subconscious mind will think that your goal is to fail—to not move up in rank. Then you will find it extremely difficult to properly prepare because your subconscious mind has already decided that you will not be able to succeed. If such an undesirable thought process is established, your subconscious mind will inadvertently prevent your ability learn.
On the other hand, if you can imagine yourself not only scoring very high on this exam but also getting promoted and placing your new rank insignia on your uniform, then your mind will “subconsciously” enable you to turn what you imagine into reality!
The power of your subconscious mind cannot be ignored or underestimated throughout the promotional preparation process. Therefore, you have to imagine your goals as being a reality between now and test time. This includes acting as if you already have all the knowledge, skills, abilities and traits of one in the rank for which you are testing.
Think positive, work hard, be persistent, and stay committed. These are the ingredients to your success. Remember, the most critical part of the effort of moving up in rank is setting a goal and meeting that goal. That is why the Holtz-Esposito collaboration was formed, and is dedicated to helping our students achieve their career goals and aspirations.
