Human culture has always had events that mark the change from child to adult. These rites of passage are often celebrations however there is also a long tradition of trials whereby the children of our species must pass some type of test.

These testing trials are often painful and require a stoic discipline as proof of the capacity to withstand the tribulations expected of them in adulthood. In modern Australia one of these painful rites of passage is known as the HSC exam.

The HSC is a series of exams that are the culmination of a two-year period of disciplined study. It is ostensibly the recognition of a capacity to enact an academic aptitude. However beyond the power to read, write, remember, and do arithmetic, the HSC is a test of the ability to deal successfully with stress.

Stress, or anxiety, does dreadfully dysfunctional things to the mind. Stressed people can appear lazy, refusing to face their task. They can look like their kidding themselves, as their fear has them avoid the stark facts. They can also look courageous as they work obsessively, yet in so doing miss the opportunity to relax and learn in joyful detailed depth.

Like a bulldozer with its blade dug too deep in the soil, stress diverts an enormous amount of energy away from the main game.  Eventually the mound of dirt in front of mortal mind machines can build to be an insurmountable mountain whereupon the engines of motivation just haven’t got the power to get a good job done.

What is required is another course of study that is unfortunately rarely offered at school! Yes, I say emphatically to those who complain that they have too much study already, like a business that must spend money to make money, you would be smart to spend some precious energy in order to better leverage your effort.

Discovering the dimensions of your minds mechanics and how to do basic maintenance is crucial to smooth efficient performance with a minimum of emissions. Just a little information and a regular simple practise can be the stitch in time that saves nine.

Martin Hunter Jones is an honorary life member of the Australian Counselling Association. He has a Counselling and Hypnotherapy practice on the Northern Beaches. For appointments call 9973 4997.