Key Strategies Executive Functioning Coaches Use to Overcome Common Barriers

To do well in life, i.e., job, school, relationships, and just getting through the day, good executive functioning skills are a must.

However, if you have anxiety, ADHD, or simply learn differently, you may find performing in certain areas challenging.

In such cases, executive functioning coaching is a necessary tool to overcome these barriers.

If you’re wondering how these professionals help you or what strategies they implement, here’s a comprehensive gist of it.

1. Boosting Working Memory and Focus

Poor working memory is a common barrier among people. It often appears as forgetting instructions, losing belongings, or an inability to focus for long periods. This results in poor performance, dysfunction, and dissatisfaction.

In such cases, professional executive functioning coaching introduces practical tools and simple habits to boost attention. You’ll discover how to use visual tools and technology, such as simple sticky notes and digital task managers. They serve as an external brain, keeping you on track.

Coaches guide you to focus on your routine with the Pomodoro technique and building a soothing environment by eliminating distracting elements and decluttering your space.

They motivate you to focus on one task instead of several at once. This helps you calmly channel your energy in one direction and feel less overwhelmed.

These techniques enhance focus and working memory, building cognitive stamina and boosting productivity.

2. Breaking Down Goals into Achievable Steps

Most people perceive large tasks as complex and feel overwhelmed. This makes them hesitate to even begin with it.

That’s where executive function coaches make a great difference. They teach you how to break down a complex task into multiple smaller and easy-to-accomplish tasks. You learn to assign time limits for each task instead of trying to complete them all at once. They also guide you to plan it backwards from the deadline so you can finish it in time.

This is great for those who feel anxious and procrastinate to avoid the difficult feelings. In fact, it’s said that 20-25% of the general population procrastinates. The percentage is up to 70% among students.

Furthermore, this helps you visualize your progress and feel motivated. As you accomplish the smaller steps, you feel confident and trust yourself.

3. Better Time Management

Time blindness, or being unable to estimate or perceive time, is a real struggle. In this, you might have difficulty assessing how long a task might take, how much time you must focus on one thing, or which tasks to prioritize.

A reliable executive functioning coach shows you a realistic breakdown of your time with time tracking and interval-based methods.

They teach you strategies to align tasks based on your energy. Eventually, you learn to expect challenges for tasks and estimate time buffers to complete the task.

4. Overcoming Disorganization

Disorganization can impact focus, mental peace, confidence, and productivity. The right executive functioning coach will offer personalized and structured systems to overcome disorganization.

They may recommend using color-coded folders, storage systems, and labels to organize different categories of items. They suggest organizing your home and workspace regularly, preferably before starting the day.

Another one is decluttering and maintaining your work/study desk and room to keep distractions at bay. Coaches also guide you so that you stay consistent, so chaos doesn’t return to your life.

5. Emotion Regulation

If you feel highly emotional and stressed, executive functions don’t work in your favor. Rather, your cognitive skills become dull. This negatively impacts your focus and problem-solving abilities.

Executive functioning coaching teaches you different strategies to regulate emotions and reduce stress. These include grounding methods, controlled breathing, emotion identification, negative self-talk reframing, mindful pausing before reaction, and using sensory calming tools.

These help you focus and manage feelings of frustration better. As a result, you can deal with setbacks easily and power through difficult tasks.

6. Instilling Accountability and Motivation

Learning new strategies for improved executive functioning isn’t enough, and coaches know it! That’s why they also train you to build accountability and motivation so you stay consistent.

With weekly check-ins, regular digital reminders, reflective journaling, and positive reinforcement, they help you stay true to yourself and follow the needed strategies.

These help you track your habits and progress and celebrate even the smallest achievements. Whenever necessary, coaches fine-tune the strategies accordingly so they work for you.

7. Strength-Based Coaching

Challenges in executive functioning often lead to shameful experiences, such as feedback about procrastination or being lazy. They make you anxious and avoidant.

But executive coaches remind you of the positives and build a growth mindset. The positivity makes you work much harder and improve results.

Closing Thoughts

These proven and effective executive functioning coaching strategies will enhance your cognitive skills. All you need to do is apply them consistently and watch yourself improve.