If you ever have kids, you need to ask them if they’re still studying tonight, not if they’ve studied yet.
Control questions never motivate and are only nodded off. Asking if you’re still going to do something has more of an inspiring effect.
- What are you going to do tomorrow?
- Do you feel well prepared?
- Will you study a little more tonight?
Willpower is a skill and can be trained like a muscle. The more training there is at a young age, the stronger the will in later life in all areas.
Politeness has an effect on willpower. The more polite, the stronger the will and vice versa. Rudeness leads to earlier abandonment.
The reason for this is the self-control required. It is less stressful if they feel they are doing it on their own initiative, if they feel they are making a conscious decision.
If they feel they cannot decide for themselves, and only follow instructions, the willpower muscles will slacken much faster.
Source: Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change