How to Ignite Your Teen’s Motivation

Topic

“Why won’t they just do it?!” If you’ve ever found yourself asking this question about your teen, you’re not alone. Motivation can feel like a mystery, but it doesn’t have to. Discover what’s really driving—or stalling—your teen’s behavior when you join us for "How to Ignite Your Teen’s Motivation.” You’ll learn why it takes more than just “trying harder” and how to use strategies that actually inspire your teen to take charge of their tasks and their future. In this engaging and practical one-hour talk, we’ll explore the difference between internal and external rewards and why some types of motivation stick while others don’t. You’ll learn why motivation can feel elusive for teens and how to recognize common hijackers like stress and overwhelm. We’ll also discuss simple, actionable ways to support your teen’s ability to get started on goal-directed tasks and why fostering a sense of competence and autonomy is critical for their success.

Speaker Bio

Cat Evans is a seasoned coach and educator with nearly two decades of experience supporting adolescent development. She is the founder of Cat Evans Coaching, where she works with teens and families to navigate ADHD and executive function challenges. Prior to launching her coaching practice, Cat taught and advised at Sora Schools as a Humanities Expert, earning the Mission Award for her impactful executive functioning curriculum.

Cat’s career spans leadership roles in high school and college settings, where she served as a Department Chair, Leader of Professional Learning, and faculty member. In these positions, she developed and shaped curriculum to meet the diverse learning needs of students. A passionate advocate for neurodiverse learners, Cat has championed equitable grading practices for over a decade and has created inclusive classrooms that allow students to feel seen and supported.

Cat is certified through the ADHD Coaches Academy, accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and has received training in positive psychology, listening skills, the neuroscience of ADHD, and executive function coaching. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Cat combines her professional expertise with a personal perspective to provide empathetic, relatable, and effective coaching.