Motivate your teen!
I have a little secret for you.
I am the laziest person you could ever meet. It’s heaven to lounge in yoga pants all day watching Rom Coms, perusing funny videos on YouTube, and getting lost in a novel. My mind never ceases to remind me that I’d rather be doing these things and “Oh, it won’t hurt just for a few minutes, and then I’ll get up and get stuff done.” And, “I’m so tired today.” And, “I don’t have enough time, so what’s the point.” And, “I can’t face it.”
Yep, every time I want to get something done my mind attempts to psyche me out. And, constantly, every day, with every task, I have to use my skills to psyche myself back in.
While you are a parent of teenagers, you get to know that kids psyche themselves out all the time. (My son’s pretty good at psyching me out, too!)
Is the trouble that they are not motivated? Actually, they are highly motivated, they’re just highly motivated to resist.
Teens who have a hard time getting things done usually have a few things that block them.
1. They think they are different.
Everyone around seems busy, and from the outside look like they are having no trouble getting through their to do list. This feels discouraging and deflating, but it is just simply not true. Like me, from the outside, I look like I have no trouble here, but now my secret is out! If your teen thinks he is the only one whose mind psyches him out, let him know he is not alone. And, not to mention, if he or she has anxiety. He is not different! 1/3 to 1/2 of teens have anxiety.
2. They think it is too hard.
This belief is also a powerful resistor, as this is a made up meaning. We don’t know how hard something will be until we do it, but doubt makes us conclude this before we try.
3. They doubt themselves.
Equally important is trust. When your teen doesn’t trust herself, it’s hard to make an effort because she is afraid she’ll be disappointed if she fails. However, great effort builds confidence and vitality even without the desired results. Let her know this obstacle hurts her rather than protects her.
Are you having trouble getting your teen raring to go?
Above all try to get rid of these obstacles for them and watch my video for 6 more tips on how to movitate your teen.
Again, these 6 motivators can help your teen so much:
1. Have confidence in them
2. Be the bridge
3. Teach them responsibility equals freedom
4. Make sure they’re on a sleep schedule
5. The “carrot” – have something that will motivate them
6. Make little goals
Together with your love and understanding, allow these motivators to help you get that teen up and moving and doing those things that you know will help them be a better person and live a happier and healthier life.
What are some things you do to motivate your teen?
Just randomly came in, but those motivation points are well mentioned Jodi. I recently quit my job, thought of making a startup, struggled … frustrated but I forget first I need to make money for the survival. Here friends advice my to take simpler steps. Now, I’m happy take not only I’m making for my survival also working on my strategy to bring down in execution.
Thanks again for the motivation, love to share on my socials.
Thanks, Mothi! Best of luck to you! You can do it!
I wish I could’ve got this advice when I was in high school because I screwed up in high school so bad and I regret it every single day. I was so focused on what other people think and trying to please people. Now I’m thinking for myself.
Wow. This was really good. I wish that every parent could see this. It would help us all learn how to better raise our children and not just get frustrated with them when they don’t fit in a box of how we wish they would behave.