Written by Gayle M. Gruenberg, chief executive organizer of Let’s Get Organized, LLC
Consider everything you do every day. You move, think, work, relate to other people, have emotions, make decisions. Most of us take these capabilities for granted. However, our brains are hard at work, coordinating every single activity we engage in.
There is an area of the brain right behind the forehead called the prefrontal cortex. The pre frontal cortex is the last part of the brain to develop and is the most evolved. It governs many higher-level activities involving mental control and self-regulation. These activities are called executive functions and include inhibition, shifting, emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, and self-monitoring.
The pre frontal cortex is like the conductor of an orchestra, coordinating every instrument and section to create harmonious music. Similarly, the prefrontal cortex keeps everything a body does in sync.
Brain-based conditions like ADHD, learning challenges, a traumatic injury, or addiction may affect someone’s executive functions. When executive functions are compromised, the ability to organize is as well.
Organizing requires many skills governed by executive function. One is the ability to categorize and identify the similarities and differences between things. Sequencing, or knowing what to do in what order, is also needed when organizing. Spatial relations, the ability to fit things into a physical space, is essential when organizing a home or office, and can be compromised if the prefrontal cortex is not operating optimally.
People living with executive function challenges may have trouble starting and/or completing tasks and may not be adept at prioritizing them. They may listen or read attentively but still forget what they just heard or read. They may have trouble following directions or may panic when rules or routines change. Switching focus from one task to another can also be very difficult.
“Being aware of one’s executive function challenges is the first step in creating organizing systems that fit.
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People with executive function challenges may get overly emotional and fixate or hyper focus on things. They may have trouble organizing their thoughts, keeping track of their belongings, and managing their time.
Being aware of one’s executive function challenges is the first step in creating organizing systems that fit.
Some people with executive function challenges can perform organizing tasks themselves but require a bit of support. One particularly effective technique is called “body doubling.” A body double is a non-judgmental friend, family member, or professional who is present, either physically or virtually, for someone with executive function challenges. The body double acts as an anchor and accountability partner, holding the space for the individual with executive function challenges, as well as encouraging, reminding, and helping to facilitate the completion of difficult executive function tasks.
Techniques that externalize executive functions can be helpful. These may include the use of timers as reminders to switch activities; checklists posted around the house or office to ensure sequencing, follow-through, and completion of tasks; and apps to prioritize work or household tasks.
Just like a conductor needs to ensure that every instrument or section of an orchestra is warmed up and tuned before playing, the brain of someone with executive function challenges needs to be supported to ensure that all of its tasks are working in concert.