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
Introducing the IEP OMG Show! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:28
Navigating the Special Ed World is tough! On the IEP OMG Show, I share insider tips on how to secure and maintain the best supports for your child with special needs. These bite-sized shows will leave you informed, inspi…
Ep 34: Change is hard... and possible with these 2 strategies! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:24
Making goals can be exhilarating! Keeping the momentum, however, is not as much fun. It takes real work and the right mix of baseline strategies. In this episode, we uncover the two non-negotiables that need to be in pla…
Ep 32: It's the Most Stressful Times in School, A Pep Talk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:10
Hey Kid, Did you know that I can predict your grades, your energy, and your schedule based on the month? And no, I'm not psychic! School terms follow a pattern, and those patterns of demands, interest, and energy levels…
Ep 30: Our Challenges are Invisible! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
No one would be cool with shaming someone who had a visible disability, yet the assuming, blaming, and shaming is loaded onto people with executive function challenges. Jump on this ride as we explore how to rethink our…
Ep 28: Hack Motivation to End the School Year Well! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:47
Lacking motivation to finish the school? Maybe not! Let's massage your perspective a bit with exploring why you and your child may be feeling low "motivation" these days---and what to do about it! There's a strategy for…
Ep 27: Organizing your child's mind: the Bullet Map strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:27
Team, I want you to meet and learn from my friend Darius Namdaran. He's brilliant, and his simple-but-profound method of brain organizing will empower you today! Hear his thoughts on dyslexia, executive dysfunction, and…
Ep 26: Kid, You're Gonna Fail. A Pep Talk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:50
Turn that frown upside down! Fix your attitude! Stop crying! We do a lot to prompt our kids to feel better, and it makes sense: we don't want our loved ones to hurt. But, could it be that when we try to "fix" what we thi…