Executive functioning: The art of trying to start a task and failing in style

Alright, let’s be real for a second: we’ve all been there. You’ve got a task in front of you, all the tools you need, and a very clear idea of how it should go. You’ve got the know-how, the ambition, and possibly even the right playlist queued up for focus. And yet—nothing. Your brain is a spinning hamster wheel that somehow doesn’t move forward. It’s like standing at the door with your keys in hand and still not leaving the house!

Welcome to the world of executive functioning. If that phrase just made your brain do a little flip-flop, you’re not alone. But stick with me; this is the stuff that helps us plan, organise, start tasks, and (most importantly) finish them without spiralling into chaos. And these skills are where people who are neurodivergent struggle with most days of their life - so let's step into how it feels for NS individuals!

1. The Remote Control of Your Brain

Imagine your brain is a TV, and your executive functioning is the remote control. When it's working, you're changing channels like a pro: planning your day, managing your schedule, shifting from task to task like a multitasking wizard. But when the remote’s batteries die? Good luck getting anything done. You’re stuck on the same channel—usually, it’s the one that’s playing a loop of you just staring at your to-do list. You know the channel you want to watch, but the remote’s broken, and you're not sure where to even begin looking for fresh batteries.

2. Starting a Task Feels Like Building a Lego Set… Without the Instructions

Let’s talk about starting things. Executive functioning is basically the ability to get your thoughts in order and take action. But if you’re anything like me, it’s less like building a Lego castle and more like dumping all the pieces on the floor, only to realise you have no idea how to start.

You’ve got all the pieces—they’re right there, looking shiny and organized in front of you—but assembling them into something coherent is like trying to put together a puzzle that’s missing half its pieces and you’re not even sure what the picture is supposed to be. Every task is a new Lego set. Some are easy—straightforward, no problem. Others are more complex and take way longer than you expect (and may or may not require a few breaks halfway through).

3. The "Do-Damn-Thing" Dilemma

Ever had that moment when you know you should be doing something? You’ve even planned it out in your head—but somehow, your body is just... stuck? It’s like being in the car, ready to drive, but the engine refuses to start. You’ve got the car (your body), the keys (your motivation), and you know where you’re going (goal: completed task), but the ignition won’t turn.

You’ve got all the tools, you’ve mapped out the route, but you just can’t do the damn thing. It’s frustrating. It’s annoying. And worst of all, it feels like everyone else is cruising down the freeway, while you’re parked on the side of the road, windows down, contemplating life choices.

4. The "I’ll Do It Later" Syndrome (A.K.A. Procrastination)

Ah, procrastination. It’s like the annoying little gremlin that sits on your shoulder, whispering sweet nothings like, "Don’t worry, you can always do it tomorrow. No rush!" And then suddenly, it’s tomorrow, and the task is still there, staring you down like a mountain you have to climb, but you’ve forgotten your climbing gear.

Procrastination is the ultimate test of executive functioning, and trust me, no one passes this test with flying colours every time. Some days are good—you're on fire, finishing tasks before you can even say "deadline." Other days? Well, you're stuck in bed watching cat videos while your to-do list becomes more and more like a horror movie.

But Here's the Thing: Knowledge is Power

Listen, executive functioning is like an invisible force field that makes it harder for some of us to get things done—especially when we’re dealing with neurodivergence. It’s not that we're lazy, it’s not that we’re unmotivated; it’s just that sometimes, the gears in our brain just don't sync up!

By understanding executive functioning skills, social workers can better understand the neurodiverse families that they work with that struggle with these skills, instead of labelling them as lazy or unmotivated. By understanding their brains and why they're struggling, we can then better support the family and find solutions to support those skills! It might not be easy, but it can be done. They can't always do it by themselves, they can't work out why they can't do it, so as social workers, striving for equality and change, let's commit to trying to help them!