What is executive function?
Executive function is a set of mental skills that help you get things done. It is the ability to do all that it takes in order to keep your mind on what you are doing to execute a goal. Executive functioning allows us to activate awareness, self-regulate, establish goals and make long term plans, and help us stay in charge of our learning and actions. Who we are, how we organize our lives, how we plan and how we then execute those plans is largely guided by our executive system. It is the awareness and directive capacities of the mind, considered the “orchestra conductor” or “CEO” of your brain. These skills are controlled by the area in the brain called the frontal lobe.
Executive function abilities include:
- Maintaining attention
- Controlling impulses
- Keeping free of distractions
- Engaging in mental planning and problem solving
- Maintaining flexibility
- Time management
- Setting priorities
- Organizing
- Executing a task
- Difficulty getting started on a task
- Does things quickly, or incompletely
- Trouble paying attention and easily distracted
- Loses train of thought when interrupted
- Has trouble making decisions
- Difficulty multi-tasking
- Often misplaces reports
- Disorganized/messy
- Issues with organizing materials and setting schedules
- Socially inappropriate behavior
- Difficulty controlling emotions
- Difficulty processing, storing and retrieving information
- Trouble planning for the future
- Write it down
- Know (and accept) your limitations
- Educate yourself
- Have a coach – to help with organization
- Make check lists and to do lists
- Set time limits
- Set alarms
- Use planners/calendars
- Take step-by-step approaches to work
- Rely on visual organizational aids
- Organize work space
- Minimize clutter
- Ask for help
