“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” ― Michael Jordan
Words of wisdom from the athlete the National Basketball Association calls the greatest basketball player of all time. The fact is, you can’t win if you don’t play. But sometimes the worry of missing that first, second or third shot can keep you from jumping in the game.
Don’t let fear hold your back. Cybersecurity certification is a career game-changer, one that opens new possibilities wherever your goals take you.
Get the Confidence Boost You Need
We’ve all experienced the fear of failure. When it comes to pursuing a rigorous cybersecurity certification, like the CISSP from ISC2, that anxiety can be even more intense, thanks to the high stakes involved. But remember, even the most accomplished cyber professionals have to stand up to uncertainty — not only in their pursuit of certification but in the work they do every day.
You can do this, and we’re here to help. Use these five proven strategies to help build confidence leading up to exam day.
1. Set realistic expectations. No one becomes a cybersecurity expert overnight. Set an achievable goal and focus on steady progress instead of immediate perfection. Celebrate every milestone along the way, no matter how small.
2. Embrace a growth mindset. Understand that your knowledge and skills will grow with dedication and hard work. Embrace challenges as opportunities rather than seeing them as potential failures.
3. Break down your goals. The journey to certification can feel overwhelming at times. Break down your exam prep into smaller, manageable tasks. By tackling them one step at a time, you’ll build confidence and chip away at the larger goal.
4. Find a support system. Surround yourself with people who will support you with encouragement, guidance and accountability. Join the ISC2 Community and attend your local ISC2 Chapter meetups.
5. Learn from mistakes. Analyze what went wrong, identify areas for improvement and adjust your approach accordingly.
Now move forward with confidence and embrace the exciting world of cybersecurity!
Preparing for the CISSP, CCSP or another ISC2 exam? Watch ISC2 Exam Ready webinars, where expert panels answer common questions about training course content and exams. Another great webinar to check out for last-minute study tips: Exam Prep Hacked.
