Task Initiation Hacks: The “Just 5 Minutes” Rule & More Task initiation is often the hardest part of any activity. Whether it’s tackling a three-hour study session or diving into a complex work project, getting started can feel overwhelming. This mental roadblock often leads to procrastination and avoidance, creating unnecessary stress. However, using proven strategies…
Improve Intrinsic Motivation: Executive Function Coach Tips Intrinsic motivation—the inner drive to pursue goals for personal satisfaction—plays a crucial role in achieving success. Unlike extrinsic rewards, such as money or recognition, intrinsic motivation keeps you focused and committed because the task itself is meaningful. Executive function coaching can help you harness this internal drive to…
High Order Thinking Skills: What They Are & How to Improve Higher-order thinking skills, or high-level cognitive abilities, are essential for tasks that involve problem-solving, critical analysis, and creative thinking. These skills go beyond rote memorization or basic comprehension and require skills like evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Higher-order thinking skills are foundational in today’s…
Study Methods to Enhance Focus and Concentration As parents, educators, and executive function coaches, helping students—especially those with ADHD or other focus challenges—develop good work habits is essential. One of the most common struggles faced by individuals with ADHD is managing their mental energy and avoiding burnout. By integrating cognitive load theory, time management, and…
Master the Pomodoro Technique for Enhanced Productivity The Pomodoro Technique is a highly effective time management tool designed to boost productivity by working in short, focused intervals followed by breaks. This method, named after the tomato-shaped timer its creator used, has proven beneficial for people with and without executive function challenges alike. In this blog,…
Setting Goals: A Blank Slate to Personal Success When it comes to setting goals for students, it’s important to start by understanding how we all begin as blank slates. As children, everything is new—walking, talking, using the bathroom—and we are encouraged every step of the way. Parents cheer for every small success, knowing that failure…
Spaced Repetition for Students: Master Active Recall & Ace Your Exams For many students, particularly those with executive functioning (EF) challenges, the idea of spaced repetition and chunking study materials can seem daunting. One of the main obstacles is the uncertainty around what an exam or project truly entails. For projects, students may not fully…
Attention Deficit Help: Empowering Students to Excel Academically Attention deficit help, particularly childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can be challenging, especially if it is predominantly inattentive. This form of ADHD often leaves children feeling inadequate, wondering why their hard work isn’t yielding the expected results. For instance, my client, Becky, struggled with attention deficit…
ADHD Study Tips: Boost Your Focus and Ace Your Exams As students transition into college, the structure of studying changes drastically, calling a need for new ADHD study tips. In high school, teachers often provide organized notes, study guides, and practice exams that make studying straightforward and predictable. However, in college, these structured resources are…
Inattentive ADHD & Executive Functions: Strategies for Improvement Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood, particularly when it comes to its impact on executive functions. Unlike the more commonly recognized hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, predominantly inattentive ADHD symptoms manifest in more subtle ways, making it harder to diagnose. Individuals with this type of ADHD frequently struggle with concentration, focus,…
Unlocking Potential: The Power of Divergent Thinking and Cognitive Flexibility in Executive Function Skills One of my clients, Alex, was super excited about his first job but found himself struggling with cognitive flexibility. Despite his enthusiasm, he had a hard time balancing everything. Unfortunately, his lack of progress led to a significant drop in motivation…
Improve Time Blocking for Better Focus & Productivity Whenever I bring up time blocking to one of my clients, I get the same pushback. “I don’t want to feel limited to what I have to do at specific times.” “That sort of structure will make me feel like I am in jail.” “If we do…