Keeping Your Child Focused and Motivated

Keeping Your Child Focused and Motivated

One of the most important aspects in motivation that I have discovered is goal setting. Without a goal, there will be a lack of purpose such that a person will not be able to focus his/her energies to do the best in accomplishing tasks that lead to the desired outcome.

Key elements in effective goal setting include:

1. Goals must be measurable.
2. Goals must be set high enough to stretch your child’s capability but must be achievable.
3. Goals must be specific and should not be vague.
4. Goals must be set jointly and agreed upon with your child so that there is a sense of ownership.

Drawing up a PLAN to outline the tasks and activities to be undertaken is critical. It is a sort of a road map that has intermediate goals. Achieving these will boost up the morale and energy levels of your child. Success will always breed success. Once your child has the first taste of success, he/she will be motivated to put in more effort to experience the same kind of satisfaction.

Your SUPPORT and ENCOURAGEMENT are two very important ingredients to help your child in overcoming challenges and obstacles that may surface along the way. Giving guidance and equipping your child with the necessary skills to undertake the tasks and pushing them to do their best will help them to persevere and stay on course. However, you should be realistic and not to push your child too hard. When push comes to shove, kids could become rebellious and de-motivated.

PRAISE is a very important positive feedback. If your child has done well in some aspects of the work, praise him/her. It is important to be truthful and specific in your praise. Flattery will not work as it is not a sincere feedback. Praising is form of appreciation that a child would yearn for especially from his/her parents. Praising does not mean refraining from highlighting shortcomings. That is why you must be specific in praising. In areas that you may think improvements can be made, you have to highlight them as well in a positive manner.

In short, the key elements to your child focused and motivated are:
1. Setting goals
2. Drawing up a course of action to achieve a goal
3. Give support and encouragement
4. Praise your child for a job well done