Motivation

Motivation is the internal drive to do things – the desire, will, and ability to pursue personal interests and goals. Many teens and young adults struggle with low motivation, which can show up as feeling bored or lethargic. It can also materialize as not caring about activities such as school, work, extracurriculars, or exercise, or having a hard time finding the energy to do things even when they care about them.

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Helping Teens Stay Motivated at Home

Amy Mezulis, PhD

Parents, are your children spending hours locked in their room or on devices? Video games and Snapchat winning out over schoolwork and chores? The stress of COVID-19 has taken a toll on all of us, but we've heard from many parents that lack of motivation has been a big challenge at home.

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For Parents

How to help teens find motivation

Michelle Kuhn, PhD

Conflicts over motivation are frustrating, and leave many parents asking, “Why do I have to push so hard?” The answer may lie in your teen’s developing brain; specifically, their brain’s reward pathways and their prefrontal cortex.

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Young Adults

Aim a Little Higher Podcast Kamal Hyman

Created to inspire students, young entrepreneurs and ambitious people, this podcast interviews inspirational individuals every Monday & Wednesday and finds out what makes them tick. We then find out how YOU can do the same!](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aim-a-little-higher-podcast/id1070204935) Article Read now

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Young Adults

Help your teen find motivation Michelle Kuhn, PhD

If you have a teenager, chances are you have had a conflict over motivation in the last 24 hours. Whether it is warring over YouTube or video games, or asking 12 times before a chore gets done, etc.](/content/blog/help-your-teen-find-motivation/index.html) Article Read now

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Young Adults

How do you promote positive motivation? Monica Kowalski, PhD

How do you promote positive motivation? It’s as easy as A-B-C! "Self-Determination Theory" teaches that motivation flourishes when three basic human needs are met: Autonomy, Belonging and Competence.](/content/blog/how-do-you-promote-positive-motivation/index.html)

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How to help teens find motivation \ Michelle Kuhn, PhD\ Conflicts over motivation are frustrating, and leave many parents asking, “Why do I have to push so hard?” The answer may lie in your teen’s developing brain; specifically, their brain’s reward pathways and their prefrontal cortex.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBJXU6RJhKE)

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Teaching the Gift of Failure \ Jessica Lahey\ Veteran teacher, author, and education journalist Jessica Lahey breaks down the research on motivation, resilience and learning, and explains how autonomy-supportive parenting and teaching not only boosts kids' motivation, but improves educational outcomes.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geiyl78jkHA)

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The ABCs of Promoting Positive Motivation \ Monica Kowalski, PhD\ Self-Determination Theory teaches that motivation flourishes when three basic human needs are met: Autonomy, Belonging and Competence.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjS5NF5riJs)