How to Motivate Young People

Those who know me now, as an adult, would probably never guess what I was like as a teenager. As an adult, I'm a driven, focused man of action, but as a teenager that was hardly the case. When I came home from school most days I would dump my bag on the floor, pour myself a big bowl of cereal and retreat to my room where I would watch TV until I fell asleep. Some days I even refused to leave my cave for dinner. There were large swaths of time where I accomplished absolutely nothing, a far cry from my productive life now. What was the difference? How did I go from being an enthusiastic kid with a zest for life and a straight-A student to a lump on the couch who could hardly muster the effort to say hello? 

I recently finished reading Charles Duhigg’s informative book " Smarter Faster Better" in which he explores various science-based methodologies for improving both work and personal life. The very first chapter focuses on motivation, and I think it illustrates the difference between past-Marc and present-Marc very well. 

Motivation, Duhigg reports, is entirely the product of control. When humans feel that we have a choice in our life, and some measure of control over how it unfolds, we feel empowered and therefore motivated. Having a say in how we spend our time and what we do with our freedom makes us feel like active participants in our own lives. Gaining a sense of control, however small, makes a big difference in our willingness to contribute. 

“Motivation is entirely a product of control. ”

All of that makes perfect sense to me, because it's exactly what happened in my own life. When I was a little kid, I felt a great sense of control and ownership over myself. The relative freedom of Elementary School (in the 90’s I should add) and relaxed atmosphere helped me to feel that I could decide the order to my days. But as I transitioned to Middle School, I was shocked by how little agency I had. Suddenly my entire day was scripted, down to the minute, and I could not so much as use the restroom without he say-so of an adult authority. I had no power, and no choice, and so I lost all my willingness to participate.

It was only after my family found self-directed education that I experienced a monumental shift. Suddenly, I was in the driver's seat of my own life - I got to decide not only how I spent my time every day, what I studied, when I ate lunch, when I played outside, and who I did all of it with - but my choices were respected and honored by others (even adults!). It was a powerful feeling, and one that it took me a little time to come to terms with. But once that empowerment sank in, I blossomed. I started organizing plays and talent shows (2-3 of each every year), started having parties and dances, started cooking, learning Japanese, starting a writing group, reading books that I hadn't had the energy for even a year ago. 

I've seen the same experience happen to many young people over my years at Alpine Valley School, both as a student and a staff member. Human beings are fundamentally motivated by our ability to make choices for ourselves, and I have yet to see another environment that lives that truth more powerfully than a self-directed learning environment. It changed my life, and I believe it can change yours as well. 

If you'd like to learn more, schedule a private tour of our facility and come see for yourself!