The art of juggling life: How to enhance your executive function toolkit

Do you frequently find yourself putting off tasks, flitting from one activity to another, or feeling completely swamped by your responsibilities? You are certainly not alone in this experience. Many individuals grapple with disorganization, forgetfulness, and a tendency to misjudge the time required for various tasks—a phenomenon often referred to as "time blindness."

Why do some people seem to juggle their responsibilities with ease while others find it a constant struggle? The answer lies in executive function, the brain's central command center responsible for helping us plan, prioritize, and execute our tasks. By honing your executive function skills, you can significantly improve your ability to tackle daily challenges and navigate life more effectively.

What exactly is executive function?

Executive functioning is the unsung hero behind our everyday successes. It plays a pivotal role in everything from planning our daily schedules to solving complex problems. This cognitive powerhouse allows us to manage our time efficiently, stay organized, regulate our emotions, and achieve our objectives.

While these skills are inherent from birth, their development is profoundly influenced by various factors, including personal experiences, environmental conditions, and exposure to traumatic events. Let’s delve deeper into this cognitive superpower and examine how understanding and enhancing it can have a significant impact on our lives.

The School of Hard Knocks

If your experience mirrors mine, then school was nothing short of a challenge. From my early days in kindergarten, my backpack was always a chaotic mess. I frequently forgot assignments and was often caught daydreaming or “spacing out” during class. As an adult, I found myself consistently late to work. My relationships suffered because I would forget to respond to text messages or check my emails. The very concept of motivation felt like an elusive myth. My need for help became glaringly obvious after a workplace incident where I faced repercussions for an impulsive verbal outburst, underscoring my struggle with impulse control.

Crafting my arsenal: Tools for success

In my quest for improvement, I sought professional help. Through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), I discovered methods to enhance my executive function. I began equipping myself with the fundamental neurological tools necessary to develop these skills. By incorporating the following tactics, I created a comprehensive blueprint outlining the steps I needed to take to achieve my goals.

• • Identify your challenge: Pinpoint a specific daily activity that presents a challenge and take note of your baseline performance level to measure your progress.  ‍
• • Set realistic, specific goals: Clearly define what you aim to achieve by improving this particular executive function skill. ‍
• • Establish a start date and a deadline: Set a definitive timeframe for accomplishing your goal, including a specific time to initiate your practice, with contingency plans for unforeseen events. ‍
• • Craft and visualize a plan: Develop a detailed strategy outlining your approach and create a visual or audible representation of your plan to keep it tangible and resistant to distractions. ‍
• • Stick to the plan: Commitment is crucial; avoid making excuses and practice consistently, even when you encounter resistance. ‍
• • Positive reinforcement: Incorporate positive reinforcement by outlining what, why, and how you’re improving, along with visualizing the positive outcomes.

Finishing touches

As you continue to refine and enhance your executive functioning skills, remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. Improving these skills is a marathon, not a sprint; progress will not be instantaneous, but every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to a more organized, efficient, and fulfilling life. Be kind to yourself, celebrate your progress, and keep nurturing these skills—the results will undoubtedly be worth the effort.