I personally had to switch up my Vendors and enforce a "rest rule".I made myself commit to at least 3 hours a day. I would use IPX VOL1 to learn the material. My issue was that I am very detail oriented and it would take me a few days to make it through a single VOL1 lab. At the rate I was going, it would take me 6 months to get through VOL1. I also recognized that IPX prepares you for the worst scenario so you are prepared for anything. However, this deminished my spirit over time because it was very hard. I need to get a glimpse of something easier from time to time. So, I added a second vendors workbooks'.
So, I would do an IPX VOL 1 lab and force myself to complete it in two days (6 hours of lab time). I would further that same technology based lab from another vendor.I mapped out the labs that I would complete in Excel. It would look like this: Mon/Tuesday- IPX VOL1, lab 1 Wed- Vendor 2- similar lab as Mon/Tues lab, but easier Thurs- off Fri/Sat- IPX VOL1, lab 2 Sun- Vendor 2- similar lab as Fri/Sat lab, but easier Mon- rest With this formula, I would compete IPX VOL1 and Vendor 2 labs in 4 months, while not letting myself get burned out. I then started IPX VOL3 mock labs. When I got to a technology I didn't know, I flipped to that VOL1 based lab and read through the answer, and then tried to apply it to the VOL3 lab without looking. If I had to look at VOL3, I would, and keep moving on. For my personally, I also noticed that I learned better from seeing a working example. I would do a troubleshooting section twice. The first attempt would be with me trying each ticket on my own, then reading the answer, and typing out the solution and watch it work. I would learn verification methods (which proved to be very valuable). I would then do the same lab again the next day. Mon- VOL3 lab 1 Trouble with looking Tue- VOL3 lab 1 Trouble without looking Wed- rest Lab 2, and so on That came out to about a month. I took those skills and technologies to VOL3 Config sections as I would learn what made things work, and my mind would reverse engineer how to build them since I know what a final working product was. There was still a large gap, but I had something to build on, I was learning, and it was exciting at the same time. As long as I was learning, it wasn't tooooo hard and over challenging, I was able to shut down my rack with a smile. That mixed with a mandatory rest day, was a good receipe. When I got through VOL3, I would spend 3 days at 3-4 hours a day. Mon/Tues/Wed- IPX VOL3 lab1 config Thu- rest Fri/Sat/Sun- IPX VOL3 Lab 2 config Mon- rest This took another 30 days I then did VOL3 again, but I put more time into it. I would force myself to complete a config portion IPX lab every two days. This was tough, but I was focused as my lab date was approaching. Mon/Tue- Lab1 Wed/Thu- Lab2 Fri- rest Repeat This took 25 days So, I was 7 months into it, and my lab date was about 2 months out. I took a bootcamp from vendor2, and realized I wasn't going to pass. But, I had solid foundation, but QoS and advanced services was still lacking. I took the exam, and failed. BUT, I was relaxed because I knew I wasn't going to pass. I had three other buddies (Steve DiBias, Marc Abel, and Chris Moore) with me that day, but only Steve passed. I went back and started vendor 2 workbooks, Cisco 360 mock labs, and still referenced IPX material for gap fillers. I passed May 1st. There are alot more details, as the timeline would show, because it took me two years to the day to pass on my second attempt. I wondered around for the first year before I caught the CCIE bug and got serious. I hope this helps you. My thumbs are tired from typing this out on an iPhone! Good luck- keep the fire burning. Regards, Jay McMickle- CCIE #35355 (R&S) Sent from iJay On Jun 2, 2012, at 11:56 AM, robert shepherd <[email protected]> wrote: > Just want to see what everyone thinks is the best way to stay motivated. I > have been "slacking" for about 1.5 - 2 months now. Haven't picked up a book, > viewed IPexperts VOD, nor done any labbing. I work for a SP and it is tough > to deal with routers all day and then come home and study in the evenings and > weekends. I do have a year before I must attempt the exam so that is on my > side. (maybe :-\). Any ideas? > _______________________________________________ > For more information regarding industry leading CCIE Lab training, please > visit www.ipexpert.com > > Are you a CCNP or CCIE and looking for a job? Check out > www.PlatinumPlacement.com > > http://onlinestudylist.com/mailman/listinfo/ccie_rs _______________________________________________ For more information regarding industry leading CCIE Lab training, please visit www.ipexpert.com Are you a CCNP or CCIE and looking for a job? Check out www.PlatinumPlacement.com http://onlinestudylist.com/mailman/listinfo/ccie_rs
