I Passed! (Shows You What I Know)

[Mitchell]

In a magnanomous gesture by Jay and Tim,. I went back to the office early this morning, when it was quiet, to be supervised by Jay and Tim while I took my proctored final. It took me three tries, but.. on the 3rd try, I passed with a 71.

Now, I have to schedule the state final. I'm going to take the weekend to catch my breath.. and call the state place on Monday.

Now, I am going to go with my Dad to the cousins tomorrow. Chances are.. I will pass the state exam, because.. the questions are very similar to the ones asked all these weeks.

I'm going to ask Ed if I can attend one more review class to just brush up.

Now, it becomes a waiting game.

I give thanks. This year, with all the other blessings, I thank God for helping me through this process I worked so hard for.

Mom, if you're watching. I miss you like crazy, every day. You're the angel on my shoulder guiding me through.

 

[Bugman]

Congratulations Mitch, good luck with the state test. A nice Hanukkah present for you.

 

[C.A.B.]

Well done, Mitch. Congratulations. Hard work well rewarded.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, Bug.

Thanks, C.A. B. Yes, very hard work well rewarded.

 

[Mitchell]

I went to the NY state prometrics website.. just to get information about dates and sites for the state exam.

I came to page that said "You must schedule a test now to have this information", and logged off. Er.. no.. not today. Not with as tired as I am, and the holiday coming up. I need to chill for a day. I'll check it again Friday or Monday.

 

[GQguy]

Got er dun! I'm proud of you man. Keep marching forward. No looking back. You've got a hard road ahead...it's only uphill from here. Keep your eyes on the summit. Only look look back on your successes as a reminder of your ability to overcome challenges.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, GQ.

As I posted before.. next is the state final. I'm going to schedule that by Monday. Hopefully all this preparation will have me ready for whatever they ask me.

 

[milagros317]

That is great news, Mitch. Best wishes for when you take the state final. 😀

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, bill.

As for what I said about God, I didn't really mean it. People get pissed at God every now and then.

Thanks, mils.

 

[rdhd]

There ya go...you passed, that's all that matters (do bedevil the actual score). Good luck on the state exam - they can be tough (I had to take one for my profession), but if you don't get all uptight about it, you'll do fine. Have a happy turkey, and chill for a bit!

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, rd. You have a great Thanksgiving, too, my friend.

What you said about the state exam..

Tim had said to me that, ideally, he wanted to see me get something in the high 70s/low 80s on the proctored final, to give me cushion to compensate for the nerves of the real state exam. While I'm thrilled I passed the proctored final, I have no margin for error with the score I got.

I plan to study more, and the solace is.. that even if I don't pass the state exam the first time, I can take it again.

 

[kurchatovium]

Congratulations Mitch!!!

This is fantastic news. Way to go my good friend.

 

[AlexisDay11]

Congrats Mitch!!!

I knew you could do it! 🙂

 

[Leo tickles]

You've had me on ignore for many months now but this is exactly what I was trying to get you to do. Sometimes I wasn't so nice about it, but hey, you did it!

Congrats, man.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, kurch,

Thanks, Alexis.

Myriads, Jeff.. I apologize in advance for the statement I'm about to make.., Please forgive me for admitting something in public. Although, I'm also going to admit I'm wrong.

Leo, you are correct that I did have you on ignore. You mentioned not being nice in your delivery for me to do something, which is why I think I had you on ignore. I publicly apologize to you for that.

I thank you for your good wishes, Leo.

 

[Sodahead]

Good work dude! You got all worked up for nothing! Keep up the good work

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, NC.

On the topic of what Leo said.. I'm going to admit something very personal, but.,. it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Some months ago, before I was contacted by Aflac.. I got a very nasty e-mail from my Dad, which basically said.. "I'm still trying to figure out what you're doing with your life". The message basically was "Get off your ass and do something". I was very hurt at the time, but, it was the best thing that ever happened. Right after that e-mail, is when I started really looking, and the situation with Aflac developed.

I've also figured out WHY I was complacent for so long. I explained it to my dad, and I think he understands.

Remember.. I'm a person who hasn't accomplished my goals.. a lot. Many failed businesses, no grad school, etc etc. I thought to myself. "With no or little job history, I worried I would be rejected.. or stuck. It did happen, to an extent, when my business idea was ignored. Of course, I was also still suffering the devastation of losing my mom, and the whole change in my living circumstances.

However.. when I found Aflac through the job website, and they responded positively to me. I saw "Okay, this is something that can be a career". I was basically like the walking dead for more than a year after my mom died. Since I've been with Aflac, the old me has come back.. Intense, motivated. As frustrated as I was with those practice finals that I kept failing, I kept going back for more until I passed.

To be honest.. I passed the proctored final.. far sooner than I thought.

Now, even with the nerves, and the small margin for error. (70 is a passing grade on the state test, I got 71 on the proctored thing).. The motivation and intensity is back.

I hope I pass the first time, but, even if I don't, as I did with the other tests, I will just keep trying until I do pass.

 

[Bugman]

Thanks, NC.

On the topic of what Leo said.. I'm going to admit something very personal, but.,. it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Some months ago, before I was contacted by Aflac.. I got a very nasty e-mail from my Dad, which basically said.. "I'm still trying to figure out what you're doing with your life". The message basically was "Get off your ass and do something". I was very hurt at the time, but, it was the best thing that ever happened. Right after that e-mail, is when I started really looking, and the situation with Aflac developed.

I've also figured out WHY I was complacent for so long. I explained it to my dad, and I think he understands.

Remember.. I'm a person who hasn't accomplished my goals.. a lot. Many failed businesses, no grad school, etc etc. I thought to myself. "With no or little job history, I worried I would be rejected.. or stuck. It did happen, to an extent, when my business idea was ignored. Of course, I was also still suffering the devastation of losing my mom, and the whole change in my living circumstances.

However.. when I found Aflac through the job website, and they responded positively to me. I saw "Okay, this is something that can be a career". I was basically like the walking dead for more than a year after my mom died. Since I've been with Aflac, the old me has come back.. Intense, motivated. As frustrated as I was with those practice finals that I kept failing, I kept going back for more until I passed.

To be honest.. I passed the proctored final.. far sooner than I thought.

Now, even with the nerves, and the small margin for error. (70 is a passing grade on the state test, I got 71 on the proctored thing).. The motivation and intensity is back.

I hope I pass the first time, but, even if I don't, as I did with the other tests, I will just keep trying until I do pass.

Mitch, we all deal with grief and shock in our own way and it takes some people longer than others, that's all. Certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Now, it seems you are ready to get about the business of living your life and I'm happy for you. No doubt this is what your dear mother would want for you.

 

[Leo tickles]

You needed time and were pushing yourself too hard. You knew you needed time, but you also knew you wanted to accomplish your goals. That mixed with everything else that was going on brought on a breaking point and as such you were addicted to the "abuse" you got here from some. But go back and read those threads. Aside from the people that were blatantly bashing you, we all wanted you to go do.... what you did.

As a learning experience for you, next time you're going through something, don't ask for answers you already have within yourself. Accept that you need time, even if you don't feel like you have it, and move slower and in a more productive way than you have.

At the end of the day, you did it. You'll pass the next one, too. You don't need time anymore, you need to take action. Now that you have, your life is going to be a lot more stable, healthier and better no matter the outcome because with your new found drive, you'll always seek a better one should something go wrong.

 

[Mitchell]

bug, thanks.

Leo, you're absolutely right, and I am taking action. The state is getting called Monday Morning to set up the exam.

I'm going to tell everyone something, and maybe this is just me being different.

I went with my dad to our cousins house today, and told them about Alfac, and everything that's going on. Everyone was super nice, and mega supportive. They all said I look great, and wished me well on passing the exam.

Bottom line: My dad and everyone was pissed that I had basically stopped living life. One of my cousins mentioned just what Leo did, about needing time. I know now that the best way to honor my mom's memory is to go on with life.

Now.. for the shocker..

My dad wants to take me on a vacation.

The cousins, my dad, and others, are going to Anguilla for Xmas week, a place I've never been.

I cant go, if I'm in preparation for the state final. I need to study, and cant lose a week's work time with it.

If I've already taken the state, and pass, then I can go, because chances are, I wont get a job til after the 1st of the year. I'd have to come back before my other relatives, though. I'd come back on Dec 30th, because I have plans with my two best friends for New Years Eve, that I am not cancelling,. no matter what.

If I took the exam, and failed.. I'd need to study more, and couldn't lose a week';s work time.

My great aunt's (hopefully) 95th bday is shortly before mine is, and I found out that my buddy, my uncle, is coming in.

I'm supposed to go to her 95th bday party. I'm going to play it very cool with him, and just see what his reaction is.

My dad asked me what I wanted for my bday, and I told him if I pass the state by then, I want a trip to Vegas for the weekend. He said he didn't think that would be a good idea, because of course, that is where my uncle is.

Right now, my exam is what matters most. I'm just glad I had a good relaxing day.

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I thank everyone for their support.

 

[Bugman]

When you pass the state exam and start selling for Aflac, don't bring that damn duck to my door. I'll strangle it, pluck it and stick it in the oven. 😛

 

[Mitchell]

LOL bug. Okay, I wont, my friend.

 

[Mitchell]

Well, it took 40 minutes to get through to an operator today, but.. real NYS license exam scheduled. 830am Wednesday. Big Sigh! My trainer told me I worked very hard. I have to study the next two days of course. It would be so poetic if I could pass the first time, but, even if I don't, the solace is I know I can take it again.

 

[rdhd]

Remember - you're just reviewing now. You know the stuff. Go out and get that *(@&%^ license, and get on with life! (And use some of those feathers from that duck for some fun along the way)

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, pal.

When I told Jay..he was like "Study hard". I'll probably review all 20 chapters and notes a few hours today, and a few hours tomorrow, but. I wont be doing any 3am study sessions tomorrow night. I know most of the answers by memory and recognition, because I took the practice tests and final so many times. The question will be whether I will stay calm enough under the stress.. to get the passing final grade I need.

Maria was funny.. I saw her today, and told her that I scheduled the test. I know she hopes I pass. She was thrilled last week when I told her I passed the proctored exam, but she also said "If you don't pass the real exam, you can take it again".

That's true, so I know I can't go in there with the mindset of It being "I must pass this time or I will never be an insurance agent.". However, I also know that Aflac wants us to pass as soon as possible, so I cant go in there too laid back.

I'm going to make no predictions. I was shocked on both occasions, when I passed the at home practice final, and the proctored exam. I'm going to study, do my best, and hope to pass ASAP.