Top 🔟 Executive Function skills To turn it around

Seth Perler, an executive function coach, introduces himself and explains that he helps struggling students. He shares his personal journey of battling ADHD and executive function challenges, which led him to almost fail high school and drop out of college, leaving him feeling like a lazy failure. This experience motivated him to discover and develop crucial executive function skills that transformed his life. He was recently asked about the most important executive function skill, and this video expands on that question by listing his top 10, plus a bonus, in reverse order.

Seth notes two important things about executive function skills: First, they are all interrelated and work together. Second, they are learnable skills that can be practiced, just like playing a guitar or riding a bike. The problem often lies in not actively practicing these skills.

The tenth most important skill is metacognition, which involves introspection, self-reflection, and self-awareness. Seth explains how he used to lie to himself about the time and effort required for tasks, leading to procrastination and failure. Building self-awareness helped him understand his strengths and weaknesses and stop deceiving himself.

The ninth skill is focus. Seth struggled with concentration and distractibility, which impacted his study, reading, and listening skills. He had to actively build strategies to improve his focus, including eliminating distractions and practicing sustained attention during academic tasks.

Planning skills are number eight. Seth learned to plan and organize his academic life by using calendars and agendas. A key strategy was 'over-planning,' where he would allocate more time than he initially thought necessary for tasks, as he tended to underestimate the effort required. He also learned to rely on his planner rather than his memory for important details.

Number seven is self-starting. As a procrastinator, Seth realized he couldn't wait for motivation to strike. He developed techniques like using timers, seeking accountability, and breaking tasks into small, manageable chunks (e.g., 5, 10, or 15 minutes) to trick himself into starting work.

The sixth skill is maintenance. Seth found that setting up organizational systems was not enough; he also needed to continuously maintain them. Just like sharpening a sword or getting oil changes for a car, organizational systems and habits need ongoing attention to remain effective.

Number five is developing 'Frankenstein' or customized study skills. Seth realized that generic advice didn't always work for him. He learned to adapt common strategies, picking the parts that resonated and discarding the rest. He found success by recording himself reading his notes, drawing and doodling in his notes, and creating visual reminders, tailoring his approach to his creative learning style.

The fourth skill involves creating a 'sacred study space.' Seth discovered that his environment significantly impacted his ability to focus and be productive. He set up a dedicated, clean, and personalized workspace with appropriate lighting and tools, recognizing that trying to study in distracting or comfortable places like a bed or couch was ineffective for him.

Number three is decision-making, particularly the skill of 'taking contrary action.' Seth's initial impulses, especially regarding schoolwork, were often to procrastinate or avoid. He learned to consciously do the opposite of his first instinct, recognizing that these negative decisions led to a miserable life and fewer opportunities.

Accountability is the second most important skill. Seth found that he wasn't always motivated to do work alone, so he leveraged external accountability by joining study groups, asking parents or friends for reminders, and committing to study sessions. This external push helped him show up and get work done.

The number one most important executive function skill, and the answer Seth gave at the conference, is asking for help. He explains that initially, it was difficult, but it became easier with practice. Advocating for himself, seeking support from professors, tutoring centers, therapists, and even friends or family was crucial. He emphasizes that asking for help doesn't mean something is wrong with you; it's a sign of strength and a common trait among successful people.

As a bonus, Seth shares the skill of service and generosity. He believes that giving back to others, being helpful, and practicing kindness brings happiness, joy, and connection. This mindset, contrary to the scarcity mindset, has been incredibly enriching for his life.

Seth concludes by reiterating how these skills helped him transform his life from a dark and hopeless place. He encourages viewers to give the video a thumbs up, leave comments about their own important skills or those they want to develop, and subscribe to his website. He reminds students that they have unique talents and gifts that the world needs.