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I often see many people attempting quick fixes to get kids to do mundane tasks like brushing their teeth, cleaning their room, doing homework, and other chores. As a tutor, I certainly have strategies to help with homework completion, but are they quick fixes? Unfortunately, no.This is something to bear in mind every time a boring task arises. I mention this because, while working with one of my students on homework, I noticed a pattern: they easily get distracted and prefer anything else to solving the problems right in front of them.

This happens whenever I forget a simple yet crucial step: encouragement. Just acknowledging their effort, even in the midst of boredom, makes a significant difference. For instance, I often say, 'I appreciate your effort in tackling this, even though it's tedious.' Of course, I conclude with praise once the task is completed. However, it's important not to forget about encouragement during the process itself, especially during the tough parts.

When you had to learn or study for a test, whether it was in high school, preparing for a driving test, or tackling a challenging exam, I've been in that situation. I've had to study for hours on end, feeling the stress and pressure weighing down on me. However, what kept me going, what helped me push through the anxiety and worry, was having a study group or someone studying alongside me. Even the encouragement from a teacher made a significant difference.

As we went through the questions together, hearing someone say, 'Wow, you're doing a great job. We can do this,' provided a much-needed morale boost. I remember being the one to uplift everyone, reassuring them that we would make it through the test and the semester. Each time someone offered that support to me or to others, it infused us with renewed energy to keep pushing forward. But before we continue this conversation, go support the sponsor we love today, here’s a quick ad for them.

Let's rewind back to our high school or college years. Graduating was undoubtedly a fantastic feeling, wasn't it? Receiving praise and acknowledgment for completing it all felt wonderful. But amidst all those semesters leading up to graduation, how often did you actually think about the moment of graduating? Was it the anticipation of graduation that kept you going throughout?

Probably not. I know it certainly wasn't the case for me. When I was slogging through those dreadful exams, no amount of 'Hang in there, you'll get to graduate eventually' remarks served as my sole motivation. Honestly, I often found myself thinking, 'This is ridiculous. I don't want to do this.' However, what truly helped me during those tough times were the moments in class when I was learning and acquiring new skills, and people around me were offering encouragement, saying, 'You're doing great.

I've spoken a lot, but what does this actually look like in practice? As I mentioned earlier, just saying 'I appreciate your effort in tackling this' can be incredibly impactful, especially when you explain your reasoning behind it. However, it's crucial not to fall into the trap of generic praise without substance. Merely saying, 'You're doing great, keep pushing through,' and leaving it at that isn't as effective. It's important to provide genuine feedback based on what you observe.

*Please give a gentle round of applause too…*