The #1 Habit to Improve Executive Function and Stop Doomscrolling

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Hi Friend,

At Neurodiversion, the world's largest conference for neurodivergent minds, I told a 2-minute story about the most impactful habit I've ever formed.

I wrote it.

Practiced it.

Memorized it.

And pasted it below for you to read.

Let's dive in.

The #1 Habit to Improve Executive Function and Stop Doomscrolling

The best decision I ever made for my mental health was kicking my phone out of the bedroom.   

See, before I started doing this, the last thing I saw at night…

and the first thing I saw every morning…

was the same glowing rectangle. 

It would start with a quick text. Then another…

And suddenly I’m watching surf clips on YouTube and researching nasal strips to improve my sleep while I'm 100% NOT sleeping.

I'd look at the clock and see it’s nearly midnight....

Beating myself up for once again going to bed way later than I said I would.

For years, this was my life. 

I ended my day doomscrolling from bed, disconnected from my wife. 

Then, I’d start the day by checking my email before my feet even hit the floor. I don't even like email!

It’s always created the same type of morning: 

Exhausted. 

Stressed. 

Rushed.

Late. 

A few years ago, I made a change.

I started charging my phone in the kitchen overnight. 

The impact was immediate. 

All of a sudden...

I started reading before bed.

I fell asleep much faster. 

I woke up feeling calmer. 

Now, my day ends and begins with me in control. 

Not some algorithms. 

Not “urgent” late-night email.

Charging my phone outside of my bedroom is unquestionably the best habit I’ve ever formed. 

If you want to give this a try, here’s the simple version: 

1. Pick a charging zone outside your bedroom or at least across the room from your bed. 

2. Leave the charger there permanently. 

3. Try it for 5 nights. 

Sometimes, the smallest changes to our environment create the biggest shift in how we live.

This is one of those changes.  

In service, 

Eric

Check out my presentation from Neurodiversion 2025 👇

About the Author

Eric Kaufmann is an Educational Therapist, Certified Executive Function Coach, and speaker. He is the Co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, an executive function coaching company that helps adults and workplace teams overcome disorganization, procrastination, and productivity roadblocks.

Want to learn more about 1:1 coaching? Click here.

Interested in hosting a workshop for your team or company on how to improve executive function skills in the workplace? Click here.

Looking for guidance on how to become an adult executive function coach? Click here.

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