Teach Children That Motivation Must Be Cultivated

Many times we have a hard time finding the motivation to do things and perform our tasks. When we feel down, all activities can appear as huge obstacles. So it should come as no surprise to know that children and young people can have the same problem. Therefore, it is important to teach them from an early age that motivation must be cultivated.

During childhood, we as adults have a great responsibility to teach children the ideals that will govern their inner world and future behavior. With this in mind, parents need to talk to their children about perseverance, organization and responsibility – values ​​that help them follow and achieve their goals.

But in the same way, we must explain to them what they should do when the desire to move forward is not as easy to find. Even the most responsible person, even the most disciplined and obedient child, will sometimes feel powerless and unmotivated. Giving children the resources they need to understand what is happening and how to influence their mood becomes a huge gift. And it’s about helping them understand that motivation needs to be cultivated.

Take control of your emotions

Most people act and make decisions depending on the mood and state of mind they have at any given moment. Some days we wake up in a good mood and full of energy to take on a million activities. They are usually our most productive days. But there are also days when we feel more apathetic, down and tired. When that happens, we tend to avoid all responsibilities and obligations.

When it comes to children, this tendency can become even more prominent. This is because desire is their main driving force. They tend to try as far as possible to satisfy their desires and avoid discomfort.

Being alone and taking it easy now and then can be healthy because we need to listen to our bodies. However, we should not fall into the trap of letting our mood control our lives and whether or not we fulfill our obligations.

We can not sit and wait until we feel like doing what we need to do. And we can not wait until the inspiration and energy just shows up. For motivation must be cultivated. It is a responsibility we have towards ourselves.

A commitment in itself

It is important to teach young people to engage themselves as a way of responding to feelings of apathy. It is a commitment in itself and in our own goals –  it means that we take control and act … Even the times we do not feel very much to do it right at the moment.

For example, your child may have a strong desire to be on the basketball team and really love the sport. However, there will probably be days when she does not feel like exercising. Maybe she’s tired or has had a bad day.

But if she then remembers her commitment, she will be able to find the motivation to overcome her fatigue and get to the gym. And she will not do it for the sake of her parents or her coach. Rather, she will base her decision on the belief that this is something she really wants to do.

In the same way, your son may want to make new friends, but he is afraid to go to summer camp. Although his motivation may falter, his self-confidence and the pact he has made with himself will drive him to take the step and dare.

Motivation must also be cultivated in teenagers

When adolescence comes, young people are more likely to struggle with schoolwork. At this age, it is often more difficult for them to keep track of homework and assignments, to make an effort and study to get good grades. But it is not possible for any human being to wake up euphoric and full of motivation every morning. It is on these occasions that young people will remember that they have control over themselves, and that they are not controlled by their emotions.

A child may discover that she has a desire to become a doctor and create a career in healthcare. This can be the motivation she needs to study every day, even when she would rather watch TV or take a nap.

Motivation must be cultivated every day

Paradoxically, children and teenagers may find that the motivation they lacked appears once they become active. When she is in the middle of her basketball training, your daughter will regain her energy. In the end, she will be happy to have a fun afternoon with her teammates.

And your son who was so worried about the summer camp will notice how his joy and desire to be at the camp increases every day. And the girl who did not want to study will one day feel proud of her progress and see the result of all her efforts and sacrifices.

When we allow ourselves to give in to a lack of motivation, it only gets worse. And if we sit and wait for the motivation to just show up, our lives will go on fire, while we only reinforce the apathy we feel.

Therefore, encourage your children to be active every day, whether they feel sad, lazy, scared or apathetic. Just a little every day is enough to start our engines and give us the motivation we need.