How to inspire self-motivation in your children

-

 By Dickson Tumuramye

We have all come from somewhere and everyone longs to get somewhere and become somebody one day. But as you know life has a way of treating us well that some succeed and others give up. Again, the way we were raised or what we have experienced allows us to become self-driven and focused or we wait to be pushed to make our lives better and different.

The same happens to our children. Some have to be pushed to do something. They treat each day as it comes. No plans for the future, no vision, and such people depend on instructions or act the way things are, with no personal drive to get somewhere. They are in their comfort zone.

But some are uncomfortable with the status quo. They don’t need to be told what to do in life. They are focused and always looking for opportunities to do their best and get somewhere. Their eyes are fixed on the future and they keep moving forward. They are not limited by setbacks. They are go-getters. They feel they know what they want, and can achieve remarkable things in life. They know life has challenges, but there could be a way to overcome them. They want to bring more innovative plans on board. They like to rise and shine in all seasons. Such children can’t be bogged down by any distractions like the ones who don’t seem to be interested in anything.

Therefore, you can instill self-motivation in your child. It is a soft skill that comes from within but it can also be nurtured by a parent. Self-motivation is the force that drives you to do, produce, make, develop something, and achieve your goals. It starts with the way you perceive that child daily. Share with your child what you see in them, especially if this skill is lacking. Don't be afraid to let them know how it will affect them if they aren't motivated and self-driven. You may be judged biased or not appreciative, but keep talking affectionately. Over time, this child won’t remain the same.

Encourage them to share their life obstacles with you and inspire them to focus on solutions instead of limitations. Whether they confide in you or not, you should always be an encouragement to them and bring out that hidden potential in them. Don’t also focus on their impediments and concentrate on reminding them about their weaknesses. Each of us is as good as the next person, but we lack motivators who speak life instead of doom. Make sure you are the number one cheerleader in your child's life regularly.

Start early the moment you realize your child struggles in certain areas. Identify those areas of dimness and strategize on how to manage them with a mind of ‘what if this continued like this, how can I help as early as now?’ Ask them to set age-appropriate goals and the time frame within which the tasks must be achieved. One author said that learn how to be your own best ally for reaching your goals.

Discourage procrastination. Many people like to postpone working on certain things even when it is not necessary. Ask yourself whether your child is lazy or pessimistic. Identify his/her distractions and provide guidance. Discover why this child likes to push things ahead even when they are very critical and urgent and teach them how to stop.

Some children become frustrated right away and give up easily. Make sure they are reminded to embrace patience and perseverance, to appreciate their effort rather than only success, and to keep moving forward. It is a matter of time; things will change. Encourage positive self-talk, refocusing, a purpose-driven life, self-appreciation, etc.

They should never fear risks. This inspires them to try something new and test their abilities. They should always be optimistic and have a positive attitude to life. No one can win a battle they have not fought in. Experience is learnt from practices and situations. Encourage them to believe the word of God – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), if God is on my side who can be against me (Rom. 8:31), with God all is possible (Matthew 19:26) and many more inspiring bible verses.

The writer is a child advocate, parenting coach, marriage counselor, and founder – Men of Purpose Mentorship Programme

Follow more articles on:

#facebook/Dickson Tumuramye

#twitter @Tumudick

#email: tumudickson@gmail.com

#tel: 0772851863/0702851863

-------------------------------------

Dickson Tumuramye is also a passionate speaker on:

#Positive parenting

#Marriage and family

#Child counseling

#Career guidance

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Four Decades of Life: A story of Dreams, Resilience and Hope

-
Image
Author: Prim K. Tumuramye Forty years sounded like a century back then. This year (Feb 5, 2024), I made four decades on earth and how grateful I feel. I am filled with gratitude for the journey so far trodden, through the different seasons of my life. Looking back, I can only be grateful. Born to and singlehandedly raised by a single mother, amidst great limitation yet unimaginable contentment, many a times the future looked bleak. Poverty, nowadays politely referred to as humble background robs one of choice. That is what defined my childhood. Yet, my mother dared to dream, against all odds. When ends refused to meet, mother put the chalk down, left a would be decent primary school teaching career, hitting the trenches as an amateur petty trader. Her life took another twist – mockery, lack and the hustles of searching for daily bread. And that is the life I would grow up into.  Mother seemed never undeterred by the prevailing circumstances. She had a strange confidence that everyt...
Read more

Lilian Hope Mpiriirwe: You will Be Remembered

-
Image
  A tribute to a mother, whose life was an open book Mrs. Lilian Mpiriirwe, fondly known as Mwinika, the mother of my friend Comfort has rested. It is a sad and dark morning. Two days ago, her daughter Comfort, whom she called Comfa (the Bakiga have a way for shortening every name) turned 42. Her birthday fell on the day her employer, Uganda Christian University was honouring distinguished staff for excellent service. Comfort was among those recognised for her outstanding contribution to teaching, learning and internship supervision. It was a good day. Their elder brother, Rev. Dr. Jasper Tumuhimbise graduated with a PhD in Education Management this same month.   This morning, her brothers Grant and Alex add another year. Yet the same morning, this family icon transitions to glory. What a month. We have all lost loved ones, and sadly, there never comes a time when we can say we are now used to the ugly grip of death. Each time it hits, it comes with a fresh form of pain an...
Read more

MORE THAN ONE THING

-
Image
  Prim Tumuramye Recently, while I made juice with my nine-year old son, he asked me a question which he has posed countless times before. ‘Mummy, when you were young, how many things did you want to become?’ he asked, intently looking at me. I did not have to give a second thought to this question. Not because of the countless times I had answered the same but rather, the fact that I could never forget my teenage career dream. When I was my son’s age, my career dreams oscillated from being a doctor to pilot and engineer. Then I grew up. As I grew up, I realized that it was not just about my fantasies; it was more about my investment into my dreams but also my natural abilities. Trying to remember all the parts of a Bunsen burner, putting into perspective the chemical formulas was not a cup of tea for me. Then came the biology practical lessons and dissecting God’s creatures like the frogs in the amphibian family. Till to date, I get goose pimples at the memory of those ugly cr...
Read more