Halfway Through the Term: How to Stay Motivated and Finish Strong
As we hit the halfway mark in the school term, motivation can feel harder to come by. The excitement of the new school year has faded, the fall season is fully underway, and the holiday season looms just around the corner. Add to this the challenge of midterms, and staying on track can feel tough. But this is actually the perfect time to reflect on how we’re motivated and to explore a tool that can help us stay focused through midterms and beyond, right up to finals.
Motivation Away vs. Motivation Toward
Motivation generally falls into two categories: motivation away and motivation toward. Understanding the difference can give you insight into how you approach challenges in school, sports, and life. Let’s break down each type and see how they can affect your performance.
Motivation Away
Motivation away means we’re motivated by avoiding a negative outcome. In the context of school, it might look like working hard to avoid a bad grade, to dodge stress, or to escape that feeling of panic when we realize we’re behind. In sports, it could mean playing to avoid making mistakes or fearing letting down the team.
This type of motivation tends to create a cycle: we panic, work really hard to avoid a bad outcome, and then, once the pressure’s off, we relax. This cycle keeps us in the same place without real growth or improvement. Sure, motivation away from something does get us to take action—but it often feels more like survival mode than real progress.
Motivation Toward
Motivation toward is about setting positive goals and working consistently to reach them. When you’re motivated toward something, you’re aiming for growth, achievement, or a better version of yourself. Rather than avoiding something negative, you’re moving toward something positive.
With motivation toward, the focus shifts away from stress and fear of failure. Instead, you’re working with grit and determination because you want to reach a goal, not just avoid a bad outcome. This type of motivation helps you stay engaged, steady, and more relaxed. You’re not just reacting to stress; you’re working proactively toward what you want.
Why This Shift Matters
Both types of motivation can lead to action, but think about it: wouldn’t you rather operate from a place where you feel driven rather than stressed? Motivation toward something gives you a sense of purpose. You’re working not just to escape something bad, but to achieve something meaningful.
Personally, I’ve experienced this shift myself. When I started focusing on motivation toward, it changed how I approached challenges. I stopped looking at everything as a crisis to avoid and instead focused on what I wanted to create and achieve.
Applying This to School and Sports
So, where does your motivation lie? For you or your teen boy, this is a question worth exploring.
In school, this might mean shifting from “I don’t want to fail this class” to “I want to improve my grade by five points” or “I want to learn something new every day.” In sports, it could be the difference between playing not to mess up and playing to win, pushing yourself to improve every game, and showing up as a leader for your team.
If your motivation is coming from a place of trying to avoid mistakes, you’ll probably feel constantly stressed. And guess what? That stress makes mistakes even more likely. But if you’re motivated toward something—like aiming for a personal best, improving a skill, or achieving a win—you’ll not only enjoy the process more but also see stronger results in both school and sports.
How to Make This Shift
Identify Your Goal: Think about what you’re working toward, not just what you’re trying to avoid. It could be improving in a subject, becoming more confident in a sport, or simply learning something new.
Set Small, Achievable Targets: Goals don’t have to be huge. Pick small milestones that you can celebrate along the way.
Check In with Yourself: Notice when you’re feeling stressed or avoiding something. Shift your mindset by asking, “What am I working toward right now?”
Reflect and Adjust: Goals might evolve over time. Regularly check in with yourself to see if you need to tweak or change your motivation.
As we move through the second half of the term, share this tool with your teen boy or apply it yourself. Whether it’s school, sports, or any other area of life, understanding motivation toward vs. motivation away can make all the difference.
