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February 8, 2022
In January, we shared an approach to thinking about your goals and actions for 2022: “Theme Words: A Simpler Approach To What You Want In The New Year.” Getting clear about what you want for your new year is a great start.
This February, we want to introduce our Newsletter theme for the year:
Executive Functioning
This is an important topic with ADHD. While everyone can struggle from time to time with using some executive function skills, those with ADHD experience the struggles far more frequently and intensely. Some executive function skills are well developed and considered to be strengths. Those can actually help us with the skills that are more challenging. While others are less developed and get in the way of ideal experiences and achieving goals.
Executive Function is a neuropsychological concept referring to the brain-based skills that we all need to plan and direct our activities, regulate behavior, and make efficient use of our intentions, intellect, and potential.
There are some notable thought leaders in the world of ADHD for executive functions. Each has a slightly different take on how to organize, but the bottom line for each is self-regulation. Our work at the Center, follows the learnings from Dr. Russell Barkley, Dr. Thomas Brown, and Drs. Dawson and Guare. This is not an exclusive list of thought leaders in the areas of executive functions, but definitely an impactful one for addressing executive function skills with ADHD.
Why Focus on Executive Functioning?
- Weak executive function skills can be an underlying cause for many symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity that come with having ADHD. Learning ways to improve on the skills can make a big difference. Learning how to leverage the stronger ones to help with the weaker ones is also important.
- We hear more and more about the power of neuroplasticity and the brain. Finding ways to challenge ourselves with executive function skills can help us create new neural pathways for better executive function and more.
- ADHD doesn’t just magically go away. You will likely dance with it throughout your lifetime. The more you invest your personal growth and development in this area can make a huge difference in what you experience.
Knowing Your Baseline
When our clients reach out to us, we make a point of understanding where they are with different areas of executive function that get in the way of life. Do you have a good idea of how your skills measure up to support your success? Below are some areas of executive functioning to consider.
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Sustain Attention
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Working Memory |
Modulating Emotions |
Controlling Impulses |
| To Manage Time |
Be Organized |
Start Tasks |
Stick with Tasks |
| To Plan |
To Prioritize |
To Follow-Through |
Flexible Thinking
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Reflect on which ones are strengths and which ones are weaknesses. See if you can come up with some examples of how an executive function skill serves you well, in addition to how it might be contributing to your current frustrations. Better yet, how can you leverage the ones that are strong to help you with the more problematic ones. Consider working with a coach to help you boost your executive function skills to support your goals. Please join us in our journey this year to focus in on executive functioning in our monthly newsletter.
Robin Nordmeyer, PCAC, CLC
ADHD Coach | Center For Living Well with ADHD, LLC
More about Robin
Cool Resource
In support of our theme for this year, here's a great article from Edutopia -- Using Technology to Support 10 Executive Functioning Skills -- that offers apps and tools to help nurture aspects of executive functioning.
Upcoming Events
Masterful Living with ADHD Group
The group meets virtually the first three Wednesdays of each month beginning February 9th through May 18th, 2022. As of this morning, we have two spots open!
Sessions begin at 8:00 pm ET | 7:00 pm CT | 6:00 pm MT | 5:00 pm PT and run from 60 - 75 minutes based on the number of participants in the group.
The Masterful Living with ADHD Group is great for newly diagnosed adults or those wanting to start tackling the challenges that arise day to day in their personal and professional lives. This group combines foundational learnings about living well with ADHD plus helpful strategies, skills, and support to create better experiences and achieve their goals.
Read more about this class…
Calm & Simple Money Group
Group Coaching Sessions every other Sunday, February 13 - April 24 (no group on April 17)
4:00 pm Eastern | 3:00 pm Central | 2:00 pm Mountain | 1:00 pm Pacific
This group applies what we know works in coaching (e.g. external accountability, verbal processing, like-minded community support) to Money Management in a shame-free, ADHD-friendly environment.
You’ll learn how ADHD shows up in your relationship to money, understand why procrastination happens and how to overcome it, develop skills to break down multi-step financial tasks, establish ADHD-friendly spending and saving habits, and use individualized coaching support and group accountability to follow through on your money goals.
Read more about this class…
 Mindfulness & ADHD - New Masterclass!
Saturday, February 19
11:00 am Eastern | 10:00 am Central | 9:00 am Mountain | 8:00 am Pacific
Mindfulness practices can help us with our ability to concentrate and focus on the task at hand. It helps us strengthen some of the executive function skills which in turn improves our experience. Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our feelings and behaviors at the moment.
Learn more about mindfulness, how it helps our ADHD, and some easy follow-up actions you can take to help you manage your ADHD. Participants will create a 7-day challenge goal and receive support from our coaches as they work through the challenge.
Read more about this class…
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