Motivation Exercises for Teens

It̵7;s likely that your teenager̵7;s life revolves around friends, social media and video games. If your requests to complete homework, household chores and daily responsibilities are met with groans and moans while she is texting and watching her favorite TV show, it̵7;s likely she needs some motivation to find a balance between her expectations and your expectations. With creative exercises, you can prompt your teen to take charge and find some much-needed motivation.

  1. Goal-Making Session

    • Get your teen eager to take steps to accomplish his wants and needs with an interactive goal-making session. Ask him to make a list of goals on a poster board or interactive software program and then, together, brainstorm the steps to achieve that goal. For example, if he wants to buy a car, discuss the steps he will need to take to earn money, research automobiles and acquire auto insurance. Hang the poster in his room or in a common area of your home as a reminder and check in often with him to see if the steps should be modified, and to monitor his progress.

    Deal Making

    • It̵7;s likely your teen thrives on competition. Motivate her to complete daily chores and tasks with daily deals. For example, if your teen wants spending money for a weekend shopping trip with friends, bargain for extra chores around the house. As with any deal, discuss the rewards and the consequences so that the expectations are clear. Draft a contract for long-term deals that involve weekly allowance or household responsibilities.

    Information Gathering

    • Teens are inquisitive, so why not supply them with the information they seek to motivate them to complete homework? Oftentimes, your teen may dread schoolwork because he is not challenged. Make it interesting by filling his brain with the information he finds interesting. For example, if he is studying chemistry, take his lesson to another level by offering to conduct an experiment at home. Or, if he is assigned to read a classic novel, offer to host a party for his friends that includes a screening of the movie once he completes the assigned reading.

    Confidence Building

    • If your teen can̵7;t see the benefits of completing a task, or doubts her abilities, it may be difficult to force her to get to work. Spark her sense of motivation by building her confidence. Ask your teen to make a list of her strongest skills and interests. If she loves to play and excels at softball, break out the bat and gloves and embark on a family game. If she is musically inclined, let her show off her skills with an impromptu concert at home. Encouraging your teen to share her talents will not only build her confidence but also motivate her to continue pursuing her interests.

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