How do *you* executive function? Part ii!

I take neurotrophics caffeine adderall and usé iCal and schedule notifications. I turn off all notifications and turn on the focus do not disturb feature while I work. I also use l tyrosine to boost my dopamine and neurotransmitters Mondays.com

Aimee Fournier “Bug”

The first part of this actually made me realize that how I organize thing is not just because I am Type A, it is also a way to help my brain function with my ADHD. I have lived in a decent amount of places starting age 18 - now (35). This includes going away for chunks of months for jobs et cetera. Whenever I am in a new place I organize my drawers, fridge, and toiletries the same way. This gets trickier with shared spaces (fridges), but to the best of my ability my objects are always where I can find them. Allowing my brain to focus on everything else and not be concerned with opening the fridge and reaching for the eggs. If this is used I have no problem being quoted if it helps.

Alexandria Hoffman

I LOVE using the "light on means I'm not done here" method of getting ready (to leave the house and go to bed), I recently moved and am in a bigger space and that has really been helpful.

Alexandria Hoffman

Good luck!

A Arctic fox

I hear you. Just today I realized how often I've let people bully me into doing things I don't want to do, just by appealing to the guilt and shame I've stored up over the years. Good taking care of yourself. I'll try to follow your example.❤️

I had to get my car jump-started three times last year because I forgot to turn off the interior lights in my car. So I stuck a piece of masking tape on top of each switch. Now if I turn on a light, I pull off the masking tape and attach it to my finger to remind me to go back, turn off the light, and replace the tape. It's worked so far.🤞

The only thing I really know that helps with executive function is making sure to eat, drink water, and take care of my body and mind (chronic illness and mental health conditions wise and just in general) *enter* i answered this in the first one and I dont want to say it again so go there for my answer, *enter* i dont have any funny stories but I have one I think is important to share for non adhd-ers trigger warning self harm (it'll be until i say *ENTER* again like that) when I first found out I had adhd and was still trying to accept it i started self harming everything I did an adhd thing due to so much internalized ableism about how I was doing EVERYTHINF wrong and how I wasnt like anyone else around me, I think thats important so non-adhders know how badly it affects us to be told all our lives we are doing basically everything wrong *ENTER* it workef out a lot better than expected to just try and do things i need to do more instead of consistently because due to chronic illness and mental health doing things consistently is reallt hard and my routine gets broken really easily due to how often I'm unable to do my routines so just aiming to do it more and do it only when I can without harming myself phschically or mentally from it helps a lot and makes it easier for me to do stuff with less pressure chronic illness and mental health wise (I know yall won't be seeing this but thats ok! I totally understand i just thought I should say anyway because idk I'm awake its 5 am and I dont want to sleep lol)

A Arctic fox

I tell myself that I will feel better when I get "the thing" done. I convince myself it won't take very long to do it. I have a hard time doing it if I think it will take too long. I have trouble dividing it into separate sessions.

Kae(NWPA)

I hope you're still reading these! I can't come up with this kind of stuff in the moment so here we go: I heavily rely on things external to my brain to cue myself throughout the day. My morning routine is probably the best example: I use a sunrise alarm clock in combination with alarms on my phone to get up in the morning. I know without seeing the time that if the light is on in the sunrise alarm clock, I’m within 40 minutes of the audio alarm that goes off at the alarm time. When that audio alarm goes off, I know I have another 20 minutes before my phone alarm. When that alarm goes off it’s time to get up or I get one 5 minute snooze. If I hear the phone alarm before the light from the sunrise alarm comes on, I know something isn’t right and get up with more urgency. I’ve also learned what to expect from sunlight peeking in around my curtains at certain times. Waking up this way also builds in transition time so my brain goes from rest to waking up at a pace that works better for it. I have also found that getting as much ready for work the evening before helps me get up in the morning. Knowing that I don’t have to figure out what to wear or that my work bag is ready or where stuff for food is in addition to actually doing all the getting ready stuff makes it easier. Before figuring this all out I would absolutely dread getting out of bed even when I felt well rested because there was just so much stuff to do. Another way I use cues is I try to leave things in ways that I know my brain will want to question it. For example, when getting ready to leave my apartment I don’t turn lights off in rooms I’m not done in yet. If I get to the door to leave and there is a light on that shouldn’t be, I almost always remember why it’s on when I walk to the room to turn it off. And honestly - my meds. All of them, not just my ADHD meds. I had a huge mental block telling me that I can “fix” myself without them and that I don’t want to be dependent on them, but I wish I had been more open to them sooner. Some other general things I do for self accommodation: I’ve found that making sure I have enough to keep my brain occupied is essential! I frequently find I work better when I can go between two or three different projects/tasks. This of course varies day by day. I have taught myself that sometimes things just aren’t fun to do. I know starting them means they are over sooner - and frequently I am happier for doing them! Preparing mentally for the task being not fun in some way gives me a better chance of getting it done. I have also learned that some things just don’t get done and that’s okay. I have to be strategic about which things these end up being and accept it.

Phylicia

I actually use an agile board. I work in an IT role so I just put sticky notes on a board of things to do, things I am working on now in middle and then have the sticky notes of what I finished at the end.

vlado101

I have set places I have to leave certain things otherwise I will forget them and not be a blessing to find them .

This is my lifesaver, especially if I need to leave a room and go in another room to get something. If I ain’t singing the song I’m gonna stand there like an idiot.

I make up songs for things I just can’t forget. If I am leaving for work I do a sing song so I bring everything I need.

I use a 1x3x5 card for my daily task list. (1 main focus, 3 projects I need to move forward, and 5 tasks I promise through the day and don't want to forget...all on a 3x5in index card). I tried digital, but having a 3x5 card is a huge win for me. I had trouble reading because by the time I got done I forgot where I was, so I developed Tactical Reading: How to read a book in an hour. Taught a lot of friends to consume books quickly. I got away from them since we had our second child, but with a new (and not toxic) job I am getting back to my productive habits.

1. There is great power in the right question. I wonder if breaking down a huge topic such as “executive function” would have value. Executive function seems so abstract. Plus, many of the ways it is broadly discussed are in a negative context. 2. What about re-framing the “bad” into something “how did you turn your random scheduling/planning into a superpower?” 3. Ask specific questions about single topics/words. 4. Ask for stories or examples. Personal examples always have more power and impact. And, ask for details. The best of many stories is often skipped by saying something like, “it was hard but we did it” or “and it worked out…”

I have my computer setup to email me reminders on the 1st and the 15th to "Check Bank Balance" to remind me to pay bills and transfer funds. I....EVENTUALLY get around to paying my bills. If I don't do it the first time I see the email, i forward it to myself. this can also be done with recurring calendar reminders, most people will probably need them more frequently.