There has been a significant amount of recent buzz surrounding executive function skills. You may have come across discussions about them in relation to children facing difficulties in school, resulting in behavioral issues in the classroom and struggles to complete homework.

Every brain develops in its own unique way. Executive function skills develop throughout childhood, usually with metacognition as the last in early adulthood, but so many factors come into play including genetics and environmental factors.

For us Turbo Thinkers, a little bit of meditation can go a long way. I like to think of my meditation practice like sitting with a cute, curious, cuddly puppy. The puppy sits in front of us, then wanders away. It can waddle or pounce or spring, but it’s so cute! It’s in its nature to wander off. We gently pick it up and bring it back. It will surely wander off again, and we simply pick it up and bring it back. Such is the Turbo Thinker’s mind. It wanders off.

In today’s Turbo Think Tank, the topic of a morning routine came up for discussion. Our Turbo Thinker shared that starting her day with a morning walk put her in a fantastic mood and set a positive and energetic tone for the rest of the day. With a consistent morning routine, she could ride the momentum throughout the week. In exploring how to make that happen, she discovered that the key to success was actually sticking to an attainable evening routine!

My family and close friends know that I regularly need to get my nature fix or I will go crazy. Like mindfulness, nutrition, exercise, sleep and human connection, I prioritize my need to spend time outdoors in a natural setting. While many studies have shown that time in nature improves ADHD symptoms, I personally need it, and will create time for it in my schedule.

As Turbo Thinkers, we often struggle with patience. Our racing minds produce so many ideas and we feel like we must act on them immediately. We feel that our bodies need to move immediately. We anticipate the next move, the next activity, the next best thing, and have trouble simply enjoying the present moment for what it is. Sometimes we have a book, fidget toy, stress ball or other tactile distraction to entertain our brains. Sometimes we find ourselves unexpectedly forced to enjoy our own company with nothing to do but to wait.

As Turbo Thinkers, our minds can easily go down a road of negativity, regret, self shame or catastrophizing. In those moments when our emotions override all rational thought, our memories have trouble accessing what we know to be true about ourselves. Our minds can get stuck in a story told by the severe inner critic, the mean girl whispering in our ear, or the evil judge who deems us unworthy of any future success

As Turbo Thinkers, our minds tend to race like the wind, like Category 5 hurricane winds. How can we put our brains in the eye of the storm, where peace, calm and quiet reside? How can we let the storm pass, taking all of the debris with it and leaving us with our most important thoughts intact?Mindfulness is the ability to pay attention to the present moment with kindness and curiosity. It involves pressing the pause button to thoughts racing into the past or into the future.

Summer is here! At least in New Orleans, we are up to 90 degrees fahrenheit daily with high humidity. It is downright steamy! The change of seasons introduces a new variety of challenges that crop up in my ADHD coaching practice.

Even with the prevalence of vaccines and many people opting to go back to the office, many of us choose to remain working from home. Some of us have always worked from home, as solo-preneurs, digital nomads or remote workers. What elements might you consider when you have ADHD? What does your turbo thinking brain need to ensure your success?

“Why can’t I just do it?” “Why am I so bad at this?” When clients first call, I hear this all the time. There are many coaching strategies to reverse a negative mindset and push through limited beliefs. In the short term, I try to use a two pronged approach.

Last week, I had to meet my family in the local hospital. They wanted to know why I parked across a four lane avenue in a parking lot far away rather than in the giant, dank hospital garage. The answer was simple: so I could more easily find my car. And, bonus! I got the benefit of extra steps, fresh air and sunshine too.

As Turbo Thinkers, we know what we need to do, but we just can’t always get ourselves to do it.Self discipline doesn't work. Willpower doesn't work. Wishful thinking doesn't work. Nagging certainly doesn't work.And so it begins, the cycle of disappointment. You tell yourself, “I SHOULD be able to do this! Everyone else can do this!” You can go down the road of blame and shame, comparing yourself to others and feeling incompetent.

Do I write the article? Study? Do laundry? Call back my aunt? Order that book? Go to the grocery? Go work out? Get my car repaired? Do my taxes? So much to do! Maybe I’ll just research the article first. Or watch just one episode of the new series. Or this. Or that.

Mornings have been chilly in New Orleans this week...well, by subtropical standards. And with sunrise so late, it’s still dark when my alarm goes off. Knowing that my friends will be waiting for me at the corner inspires me to get out of bed, put my running clothes on, grab the leash and go. My dog, of course, sees no challenge whatsoever in this scenario

One of my favorite ways of socializing during the pandemic has been the “walk & talk” visit. Sometimes I take my dog, and with a six foot leash, we can easily gauge a safe social distance from my friends. The walk & talk visit allows for so many opportunities

Many Turbo Thinkers struggle with both decision making and early morning brain fog. By making as many decisions as possible the night before, you reduce the chances of messing up your morning.

Accountability groups can provide encouragement and motivation to follow through on commitments. Who are your accountability partners? Reach out to set a time and place to meet today.

Reinventing your space allows you to reinvent your life. Clear your path of clutter to achieve your life’s purpose. Mamasay mamasa mamakusa.

Actually, we coach all students and adults in the New Orleans and Louisiana area even if they do not have a formal diagnosis.