Executive Function Breakdown
How is EF so pivotal to daily activities?
Executive Function skills allow you to navigate life smoothly. They allow you:
to self regulate thoughts, emotions and actions
to focus attention, even on the mundane
to find intrinsic motivation
to plan, prioritize and follow through to completion
to retain information in sequence
to evaluate and adjust behavior to achieve a well defined goal
What are some activities people with developed EF skills can do better?
They can:
Estimate the time it will take to complete a task
Decide what needs to be done and when
Remember items, activities and requirements
Rouse themselves to action
Initiate and complete assignments on time
React or restrain themselves appropriately according to social cues
Overcome obstacles and develop resilience
Use positive self talk to overturn negative beliefs
Navigate life with confidence, calm and compassion
How can you recognize if your EF skills need development?
Perhaps you feel a sense of overwhelm and perpetual stress. Perhaps your self esteem is low because people have accused you of “not trying” or “not caring”. Perhaps you know what you have to do, but you just can’t seem to do it. Perhaps you start many projects but can never seem to finish any. Perhaps you have embarrassed yourself by blurting inappropriate remarks. Perhaps you can rarely be on time and often lose your keys. Perhaps you sometimes find yourself in a funk and just can’t get yourself out of it. Perhaps you spend time in avoidance and procrastination. Perhaps you have the best intentions, but just can’t seem to make it happen.
EF skills can help with all of this. Fortunately, the brain can be trained. Coaching helps you develop these skills over time. There is no reason to suffer when neuroplasticity has been proven.
Mind Coach NOLA is the leader in ADHD and Executive Function life coaching in New Orleans and the entire Louisiana area.