How To Motivate Your Teenager

Teenagers can achieve anything they want in their life and they are able to decide how their life proceeds. However, teenagers can sometimes forget how to go and get what they want, or they are too laid back?! 

You do need to remind your teenager the importance of achieving their goals and this starts from a young age. It genuinely helps them to achieve things once they have goals but firstly, they need to be motivated.

This begins with parents and teachers who play an important role in motivating teens and teaching them to do so, not only now, but in the future. Here are some tips on helping your teenager be motivated about their goals.

Help your teenager – Teenagers may not need the kind of attention they required when they were youngsters, but they do need a different type of attention. Of course, they should be able to do their homework and be responsible for it, but it does help for parents to take an interest. If parents pay attention to the work their teenagers are doing, they are more likely to complete it properly. That bit of attention ensures teenagers don’t feel alone in their work and a problem shared is a problem halved. Parents play an important role in encouraging their teenagers too so by sitting with them for a few minutes and chatting about their work, your teen gets inspired.  

Know what is going on – Parents need to be aware of what their teenager is doing in school and out of school. If your teenager is spending hours hanging around, they are probably not making the best use of their time. Inspire them with getting them involved in a weekend job, community work or helping their family. Seeing different situations helps teenagers figure out where their talents lie. Once they figure out their talents and start to dream usually your teenager will be more motivated to achieve their goals.

Encourage and inspire – Parents need to remind their teenager they can be the best at anything, they put their mind to. You need to be active in encouraging them to do the best they can before chasing their dreams – whatever they are. Inspirational parents can make a difference and if you aren’t usually inspirational try and change your ways. Teenagers love to impress their parents too so making a big deal out of good results or a win at a game, makes a huge difference to their mentality and motivation.  

Know your teenager's strengths – Know your teenagers’ strengths as they are key in getting the best out of your teenager. They will obviously be motivated when they feel more confident about what they are doing. No teenager wants to do something they hate or feel silly doing, go for their strengths and build the encouragement from there. The motivation should flow!

Ask your teenager for their ideas – Don’t trample on your teenagers’ ideas for their future no matter how outlandish they may seem. It is a parent’s job to be supportive and let their teenager chase their dream. This is key to making sure your teenager remains motivated.

Good luck!