Motivating teenagers can be a challenging task. Traditional methods of motivation, such as punishments or rewards, often prove ineffective. Teens are at a stage in their life where they are developing their sense of self and independence, making them more resistant to external influences.
Instead, motivation must come from within. To foster this intrinsic motivation, teens need to feel a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy refers to the feeling of control over one’s own actions. Competence is the feeling of being capable and effective in one’s actions. Relatedness is the sense of being connected to others and feeling valued.
For these needs to be met, parents and educators should provide a supportive environment that promotes autonomy, competence, and relatedness. This can be achieved by giving teens the freedom to make their own choices, providing constructive feedback, and fostering strong, positive relationships.
Ultimately, the key to motivating teens is understanding their needs and providing an environment that supports their psychological growth. This approach is more likely to result in motivated, self-driven individuals who are capable of pursuing their own goals and ambitions.
Go to source article: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2014/02/motivating_teenagers_how_do_you_do_it.single.html