Counseling Blog

January 2025

Goal Reassessment and Motivation

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. -  Philippians 4:13

Happy New Year!

A new calendar year always brings with it a surge of motivation; but where do we find our motivation, and how can we instill motivation in our children? Parents play a critical role in shaping their children’s motivation, and there are various things parents can do to encourage self-drive, perseverance, and a growth mindset. 

Modeling Motivation

Set a positive example for your family. Kids are more likely to be motivated if they see their parents engaged and passionate in their own goals and pursuits. Model hard work, resilience, and a positive attitude. Show your kids that mistakes and pitfalls happen, and how to move through them. Failure is a part of learning and growth. Remind them that they can use failures as an opportunity to learn. Emphasize that motivation comes both externally and internally. If you want to achieve short-term goals, external motivation - praise and rewards - is important, but to achieve long-term goal success, internal motivators are key. Help your children find what is personally rewarding to them. What drives them to reach their goals? 

Setting Goals

Help your child set small, manageable goals that connect to a bigger goal. Connected short-term goals add up to an achievable long-term goal. This makes the process of goal setting much less overwhelming for you and your child, and shows them that their goals, both big and small, are achievable. Celebrate the small accomplishments along the way to keep their motivation high and show them that their positive efforts lead to success. 

Develop Good Habits and Routines

Having a good routine, like regular study times, family activities, and bedtimes helps kids understand the importance of structure. These simple routines make it easier for them to stay on track and maintain motivation. Teach your child how to prioritize activities and manage their time. Our children’s lives are busier than ever, and helping them with time management and prioritizing what is truly important will benefit them both now and in the future. Develop the habit of using coping skills to manage stress. Emotional regulation is a skill that can help your child combat frustration, anxiety, and low motivation. Deep breathing, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, or simply talking about emotions can help your child stay calm and focused on tasks.

Provide Feedback

When offering feedback, make sure it is constructive and highlights what the child has done well along with where there is room for improvement. This, again, helps the child see that mistakes are a normal and necessary part of the learning process. Praise and constructive criticism are important so they can see their strengths and their areas of improvement. When we look at our mistakes as learning opportunities, that leads to growth. 

Promote Time in the Word

This seems like an easy answer, but as we become distracted by the busyness of life, many times, moments spent reading the Bible become fewer and fewer. Helping your child find what is intrinsically motivating to them is easier when their focus is on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. This is a powerful reminder that trusting in God can give them strength, even when they feel tired or discouraged.

Closing Thoughts

By combining these strategies, parents can help instill a strong sense of motivation and self-discipline in their children and encourage their unique pursuits, setting them up for success spiritually, socially, and academically. No two children are exactly alike, so it’s important to tailor these approaches to suit their individual needs and personalities. The counseling team is here to support you and your child as you begin to practice these strategies, and we look forward to a productive and motivating 2025!