Thursday, June 15, 2023 Brain Hacks What is executive dysfunction, and how can you combat it at work? Here are some tips to help you Guide Magazine Do you frequently miss deadlines? Have trouble organizing, prioritizing, and staying on task? You may be dealing with executive dysfunction. Executive function is your brain’s “management system,” your mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self control. People with ADHD, PTSI/PTSD, or depression and those on the neurodivergent spectrum may struggle with their executive skills, resulting in executive dysfunction. 5 Executive Dysfunction Symptoms Trouble starting or completing tasks Difficulty following directions or sequence of steps Trouble switching focus from one task to another Issues with time management Difficulty organizing thoughts; easily distracted People with executive dysfunction may struggle at work, where their symptoms are often misunderstood as laziness. 4 Tips for Dealing with Executive Dysfunction at Work Ask for help. We all need a little help from time to time, and if you’re struggling to remember an important step or stay on task, reach out to a friendly coworker. Ask them to nudge you when you’re having trouble concentrating or send you frequent reminders when you need to stay on task. Talk to yourself. It may seem silly, but sometimes talking out a sequence of steps as you do them can help soothe a scattered mind and keep you on task. If you have trouble remembering, take pictures on your phone of each step to return to as needed. Take it step by step. When faced with a complex task, or one that requires a lot of thought, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to begin. Make a list in a notebook or on a notes app, and check things off or cross them out as you complete them. Clock it. If you struggle with time management, make time external by using your phone’s alarm or stopwatch or other apps that track time intervals. Sources: understood.org, healthyplace.com, additude.org You might be interested in #WomenWednesday - Shandora Threadgould 22 Jul 2026 The Power of Asking for Help 20 Jul 2026 How to Manage an Insecure Leader 16 Jul 2026 Heat of the Moment 13 Jul 2026