The young man complained of a monumental task – reading, analysing, and then summarising a some 150-page report to write out a paper of about 10 pages. He felt it futile even to attempt it as the assignment would only carry a small percentage of marks in the overall scale of grading.

In all of his 18-year old rationale, such a gargantuan task should carry higher marks. 

So, essentially, why even bother?
I invited him to look at it from a different perspective.

Is it all about marks? Marks represented the destination, the finale of the task. What about the process – the journey towards that finale?

This process or journey seems challenging. The task indeed was a huge one.

Executing the task calls for discipline, focus and darn hard work. Completing the task brings a sense of achievement and self-pride. So, marks notwithstanding, is the journey as important as the destination? I guess the words helped motivate him as soon after he returned to work on it, and later told me he completed it.

Emotional resilience comprise discipline, focus, hard work and self-responsibility. Helping young building resilience is so important – as it helps to significantly chart their trajectory of their lives.