My client Dave was having the same thoughts. After months of nailing his morning routine and nailing deadlines at work, he lost steam. But in just one week, we got him back on track, proving he can be resilient.

After waiting for what felt like 30 minutes, she was finally at the checkout. The line behind her was long and restless. She swiped the card. Declined. Her face got hot. Eyes behind her started to shift. Her heart pounded. Hadn’t she just paid it off? Maybe? Her ADHD brain was spinning, too overstimulated and embarrassed to think clearly. That moment became her turning point. She realized her spending wasn’t just “bad habits.” It was executive dysfunction.

If you're in the cycle of setting big goals but never making serious progress, it’s not because you’re lazy or incapable. It's because the way you’re setting goals doesn’t work with your neurodivergent brain.

And after publishing my 100th post, I hit 1,000 subscribers (woohoo!). But honestly, the real win isn’t the number. It’s what I’ve learned about executive function, consistency, and follow-through.

The task avalanche is all the stuff that you suddenly feel the need to do at the very last minute. It’s always unplanned, stressful, and often makes us late. This experience is incredibly common for neurodivergent adults, especially those with ADHD who face executive function gaps.

But that all changed when I learned about implementation intentions. See, cognitive flexibility is a skill. Implementation intentions are how you build it. Now, I teach this strategy to all of my clients.

Even though we were all clearly into the same thing, I found myself frozen. I know how to start conversations. I have a toolbox of openers, bridges, and even strategies to manage social anxiety. But in that moment, none of them came out…classic executive function shutdown.

A few years ago, I was convinced that I could become a part-time photographer. But by month two, that camera was collecting dust. Not broken. Not returned. Just abandoned. Many of us with executive function challenges are too familiar with this painful cycle. This month, I’m making a change. I will spend 10 minutes, each Friday, reflecting. I’m pushing back on the feeling that if I’m not working, I’m failing. 

Between our to-do lists, work, and family, pausing to reflect feels like a waste of the little amount of time I have each day.  This month, I’m making a change. I will spend 10 minutes, each Friday, reflecting. I’m pushing back on the feeling that if I’m not working, I’m failing. 

Between our to-do lists, work, and family, pausing to reflect feels like a waste of the little amount of time I have each day.  This month, I’m making a change. I will spend 10 minutes, each Friday, reflecting. I’m pushing back on the feeling that if I’m not working, I’m failing. 

“I’m going to bed at 10 p.m.” might be the biggest lie I tell myself all week. Most nights, I find myself doom-scrolling Instagram, reading The Surfer’s Journal, or doing random last-minute tasks that absolutely don’t need to get done. Then, I wake up groggy, behind, and irritated at the world (and myself).

For neurodivergent adults, exercise is one of the most overlooked yet effective ways to boost executive function skills. I used to think it was just about trying to get ripped. And, when life got busy, it was the first thing to go.

Being late makes people feel unimportant. It sends a message (unintentionally!) that their time doesn’t matter. Many neurodivergent adults, especially those with ADHD, struggle with time wisdom. We lack internal awareness of how time passes and how long things actually take.

All of these are signs that your executive function skills are being overwhelmed. And it makes sense. Without a system for sorting the chaos, everything feels urgent and impossible. This tool takes less than five minutes and helps you reset your focus and regain control.

Perfectionism looks like a high standard, but it often masks deep fears.

For many neurodivergent adults, email isn’t a helpful communication tool. It’s a never-ending to-do list that keeps growing.

Meal planning as a neurodivergent adult, like someone with ADHD, can be a nightmare: decision fatigue, sensory differences, time blindness.

It’s like having a flaky friend who always cancels—except that flaky friend is you. Here’s how to finally follow through on your plans.

Many neurodivergent adults, especially those with ADHD, struggle with the executive function skill of planning.

The Self-Determination Program offers individuals with disabilities more control, flexibility, and choice.