Ep 53 Are you accidentally playing on hard mode?

Ep 53 Are you accidentally playing on hard mode?

Author: Sarah Kesty, Brain Tools School March 17, 2024 Duration: 30:57

Hi team!

Executive function is tricky enough, and some of us accidentally make it harder by doing (or not doing) things that challenge our brains in unnecessary ways. This week, let's uncover some easy wins so you're not accidentally making life more challenging!


Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens summer 2024! Here's the link to secure your invitation!

There are many things that make EF extra tricky. Things to consider this week:

Hydration. One study showed that dehydrated participants made 12% more mistakes on a test of cognitive flexibility (which is an EF) and re-hydrating brought EF skills back to their baseline levels.

Location. Try to find a match of energy levels, the right amount and type of noise, activity and visual stimuli, closeness or distance from others, and the specialness of a space. 

Attend to your bodies: think about movement, fuel, breaks, comfort...and remember that sitting and staring is an indication that you're stuck.

Social Conflict or needs: Emotional pain=physical pain as far as our brains are concerned. Make peace with the person OR about the conflict (write a letter, schedule time to think about it again, ask for help)

Keeping distractions around: consider removing the things that steal your brain, when you really need to focus.

Not asking for help: remember to know your personal signs of “stuck,” keep a list of where/who can help you, and plan for help for the harder things.


You got this! Let me know how these help!

All my love,

Sarah 

Brain Tools School: Life After High School program opens in just a few weeks! Here's the ⁠link ⁠to secure your invitation!


Ever feel like your brain's filing system is in a state of permanent chaos, or that getting from an idea to action feels like an impossible maze? That's where executive function comes in-it's the mental toolkit we all use to manage our attention, organize our tasks, and plan our days. On The Executive Function Podcast, host Sarah Kesty from Brain Tools School moves beyond dry theory to offer genuinely helpful, fun, and effective strategies. Each episode feels like a practical conversation, whether you're looking to coach yourself through a project, support a teen struggling with organization, or help a child learn to manage their time. Sarah brings a palpable passion to the topic, sharing inspiration drawn from real-world experience with neurodivergence, ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities. This isn't about fixing what's broken; it's about building on strengths and discovering new ways to thrive in daily life. Tune in for a down-to-earth mix of brain science and actionable tips that make the challenges of executive function feel a bit less daunting and a lot more manageable. You'll find this podcast is a supportive resource for families and individuals alike, all delivered with a sense of warmth and understanding that makes complex concepts accessible.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 87

The Executive Function Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Autism on Stage: Elaine Hall shares her journey and insights. Ep 66 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:39
Team,Elaine Hall is a force of nature, whose story will inspire you! On the show, Elaine talks about her experiences with her son, Neil, and the creation of the Miracle Project, an inclusive theater program for autistic…
Choosing the right college for your brain, with Jordan Burstein Ep 64 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:17
Hey team! There are so many options for college, and many are designed to support bright students with executive dysfunction! Listen to my conversation with college consultant, Jordan Burstein, as we talk about his non-l…
Problem Solving and How to Not Hate Math, with Ben Orlin Ep 58 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:27
Hey Team, Whether you love or hate math, this episode with author and educator Ben Orlin is for you! We talk about problem solving, the purpose and process for getting stuck, and how to support yourself when faced with c…
Ep 57 Hidden Hazard: Work to do Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:35
Hey team! You know how sometimes it takes about 1000 steps before you actually start on the intended task? That's work to do work! On this week's show, learn how to recognize and reduce work to do work. It will be a game…