A person’s executive functioning skills comprise high-order cognitive abilities such as working memory and inhibitory control.
Emotional faculties help people achieve their objectives, adjust to new conditions in everyday life, and manage their social relationships.
#1 Planning
People that are good at prioritizing and planning are good at multi-step projects.
They have a clear idea of what the end result should look like, and they know exactly what actions to take to get there.
A complicated activity or an abundance of information can be simplified by focusing on the most important facts and discarding the rest.On the other hand, when presented with complicated or multi-step activities, people with inadequate planning and prioritizing abilities have a tough time sorting through all the information and deciding where to start.
They may become engrossed in tiny details and lose sight of their goals.
They are particularly challenged when the planning requires them to handle other people’s work as well as their own.
#2 Organization
The way we organize our environment affects our ability to perform things swiftly and efficiently.
Schools, families and businesses all rely on a well-organized lifestyle. Individuals with excellent organizational skills and the ability to apply them successfully have better outcomes in a wide range of well-being areas.
Having good organizational skills reduces dissatisfaction and the desire to engage in problem behaviors in order to get adult aid or leave a chaotic situation.
A sense of control that comes from organizational abilities may be a powerful motivator for people.
More time is available to engage in chosen activities since tasks are completed faster.
A disorganized person is continually seeking for something and due to this, misplaces their money, keys, wallet, and mobile phone very often. In many cases, they don’t know when they’ll be leaving.
Sometimes two events can be scheduled at once because of poor organizing skill. As a result, people tend to be more distracted and stressed out.
#3 Time Management
People who are good at time management tend to be more productive, efficient, and have a more optimistic outlook on life.
There are many benefits to a person’s life – both personally and professionally. Someone who prioritizes their tasks at the beginning of the day, for example, will have a more structured day and have enough time to finish all of the necessary tasks.
This might eventually result in other difficulties such as stress if time is poorly handled.
Time management is the key to having a well-organized, manageable workload with adequate time to finish the important activities.
People’s stress levels may be directly affected by time management. It’s vital to keep stress levels low for optimal performance, efficiency, and well-being in the long-term.
#4 Task Initiation
Task Initiation is the capacity to start a job or activity efficiently, develop ideas, and problem-solving techniques on your own.
This talent helps children (and adults) to get started on a job without procrastinating.
Task initiation skills are shown by starting a task immediately, such as schoolwork or chores.
In order to get started, they clearly know what to expect and know how to ask the right questions.
When it comes to task initiation, those who are weak tend to put things off.
It’s easy to put things off and say, “I’ll do it later” or “I’ll do it tomorrow,” but as the deadline approaches, they find themselves behind schedule and compelled to seek extensions.
It’s also uncommon for people to put off starting a project because they’re worried about meeting their own high expectations, or because the work seems too difficult or time-consuming.
Ultimately, procrastination is the outcome.
#5 Working Memory
Working memory is the mental sticky note we use to keep hold of knowledge until we need it.
Maintaining attention and concentration is a function of a portion of the brain responsible for working memory.
Working memory abilities assist the individual recall what they need to pay attention to. For instance, preparing a meal.
Cooks require working memory not just to come up with the appropriate ingredients, but also to focus on all of the processes needed in getting there.
When it comes to retaining knowledge, those with poor working memory abilities have trouble grasping and holding on to it.
Essentially, this implies that they have a smaller amount of material to deal with when carrying out their duties.
#6 Cognitive Flexibility
Cognitive flexibility is the capacity to change your ideas in the face of challenges, failures, new knowledge, or mistakes Basically, it’s your capacity to adjust to changing circumstances.
For example, watching their friends playing outdoors distracts the kid’s focus, but instead of stopping to watch them play, the kid proceeds to clean up and put away things with both hands.
This allows him to fulfil their objective of finishing chores fast so they may go outdoors and play with their friends.
#7 Attention
This involves the ability to ignore diversions and refuse temptations in order to keep someone from behaving impulsively and to actually focus on a goal.
When a person speaks two languages, both languages are always active and contending throughout interactions.
This continuous activation necessitates an increase in cognitive attention in order to suppress the language that isn’t being used.
Suppressing the competing language increases the capacity to prevent distractions, allowing for improved control of attention.
When it comes to focusing on activities for long periods of time without being distracted, those with a short attention span may struggle.
There are a number of negative consequences of having a short attention span, such as:
- Incompetence at job or at school
- Incapacity to carry out everyday responsibilities.
- Essential facts or information being missed
#8 Metacognition
Metacognitive people are able to perceive the forest instead of only focusing on the trees in front of them.
As a result, they are able to visualize how the jigsaw parts fit together. Without employing metaphors, it’s difficult to express this ability — yet metacognitive thinkers are good at comprehending metaphors.
When it comes to connecting diverse ideas and experiences, they are excellent. Weak metacognition leads to a tendency for people to focus on a small number of details.
It’s not probable they’ll spend a lot of time introspecting because they like the instant and the tangible. This might be frustrating to others around them who have no problem “linking the dots.”
#9 Self-control
Self-control involves the ability to stay on target and avoid impulsive reactions. Studies have shown that self-controlled individuals are happier and more satisfied with their lives.
This is due in part to less emotional pain and avoiding unpleasant emotional conflict that comes with giving in to enticing desires.
Lack of self-control, on the other hand, is associated with academic failure, a sedentary life and issues with the law.
#10 Perseverance
People with a high level of goal-directed perseverance are those who establish long-term objectives for themselves and strive towards them, bringing themselves back on track and overcoming difficulties as they come.
No matter how big or little their objectives, once they’ve set them, they’ll work to achieve them no matter what.
When goal-directed perseverance isn’t a strength, people are more likely to be less future-oriented.
They’re content with the way things are going and may not be pushed to ‘make it to the next level’.
This shortcoming may not bother them, unless they are dissatisfied with the status quo or live or work with someone who is.
Executive functions are essential to fulfil educational, employment, and volunteer possibilities, make good dietary choices, comprehend budgeting and medical/health problems and prescriptions, transportation needs, participate in the community, and, most importantly, attain the optimal level of independence.
However, executive functioning abilities may be improved and deficits can be compensated for by using a variety of tools and resources available today.
Stay empowerED,
Nicole
Sources
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336271839_Executive_functions
https://www.123helpme.com/essay/Strengths-and-Weaknesses-of-Time-Management-404061
https://www.understood.org/articles/en/5-ways-kids-use-working-memory-to-learn
https://www.hanen.org/SiteAssets/Articles—Printer-Friendly/Research-in-your-Daily-Work/Effects-of-Billingualism-on-Executive-Functions-PF.aspx
https://www.healthline.com/health/short-attention-span#risk-factors
https://www.thepathway2success.com/interventions-for-executive-functioning-challenges-task-initiation/
https://citywise.org/importance-self-control/
