Boosting Purpose, Structure, and Meaning In Retirement

Boosting Purpose, Structure, and Meaning In Retirement

Retirement is often imagined as a season of freedom, bucket‑list adventures, and long‑awaited relaxation. But for many people, even those who are financially secure, retirement can be a surprisingly difficult transition. It’s common to feel uncertain, unstructured, or even anxious as you shift from a career filled with routine and purpose into a phase of life with far fewer built‑in expectations.

Your Action Plan for Your Struggling College Student

Your Action Plan for Your Struggling College Student

It's January, so by now, you should know your student’s grades from their first semester of college. Parents naturally hope their student will succeed and thrive during this initial period of independence. However, it can be devastating for many parents if their student fails courses, is placed on academic probation, or, most painfully, is dismissed from their college or university. To make matters worse, your student may have reassured you that everything was fine and asked you to stop worrying—until it wasn't. Now that the semester has ended, it’s essential to develop a plan for moving forward. This article is intended for families experiencing this situation and seeking guidance on the next steps.

Food for Thought: The Habit of Eating for Productivity

Food for Thought: The Habit of Eating for Productivity

If you or someone you know struggles with productivity, impulsivity, and emotional control, eating food regularly throughout the day may help. While eating will not address all executive function deficits, the practice will go a long way toward improving them. This article will address those individuals who struggle to make eating a habit or are not aware of why they should do so. 

The Scattered Leader: Executive Function Strategies for Managers

The Scattered Leader: Executive Function Strategies for Managers

Recent literature confirms that ADHD, dyslexia, high-functioning autism, and other conditions can confer advantages in specific careers. It is common to find individuals with these diagnoses in technical, entrepreneurial, and creative fields. Problems occur when these individuals move up to positions that require more robust executive functions. We call this The Peter Principle.

Two Recommended Time and Task Management Tools

Two Recommended Time and Task Management Tools

So, what goes into an effective tool for task and time management? I look for ones that integrate a task list and calendar which enables the user to plan for and see what tasks they want to complete and when. The tools should also make it easy to combine the two. Finally, the tool has to be portable and easy to access when you need to write down and task or calendar event.

Give Me Structure: How to Work Remotely

Give Me Structure: How to Work Remotely

Those of us in affected areas are acting on advice to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We are washing our hands, avoiding touching our faces, and social distancing. Okay, done! Now, how do I get work done at home? If you or someone you know struggles with productivity, working from home may be the hardest part of the list of protective measures being imposed.

"ALEXA, Help Me Get Organized!"

"ALEXA, Help Me Get Organized!"

Imagine if you could have your own personal assistant--someone to find your lost keys, remind you to walk the dog, or tell you your daily schedule, all without having to pay them a salary? Welcome to the world of voice-activated artificial intelligence, or in this case, Amazon’s Alexa.

Use T-L-C to Overcome Procrastination

Use T-L-C to Overcome Procrastination

"If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done." This quote is attributed to Rita Mae Brown, a prolific writer of such books as Rubyfruit Jungle and an intrepid advocate for civil and LGBT rights. Do you find it surprising that such a creative and productive force of nature struggles with procrastination too?

Executive Functions and Screen Addiction

Executive Functions and Screen Addiction

Are video gaming, surfing online, and TV uncontrollable forces in your or the life of someone you know? Are digital screens getting in the way of productivity, family life, and general health? Is there a high level of anger and conflict associated with managing screen time?

Think Like a Perfectionist

Think Like a Perfectionist

Imagine going into a Starbucks café and not knowing if the coffee you order will taste like Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, or Folgers Instant Coffee. On a business level, we would question the café’s efforts at quality control. Likewise, imagine a student turning in an essay and not having any idea if it meets the teacher’s expectations. We would again question the commitment to quality control but on an individual level.

Working Memory: Your Key to Productivity!

Working Memory: Your Key to Productivity!

Our ability to regulate attention, emotions, and behavior depends on several brain functions, arguably the most important of which is working memory. From an executive function perspective, working memory is the brain function that enables us to use our experience and long-term memory to understand and manipulate our immediate environment.

3 Tips to Regain Emotional Control

3 Tips to Regain Emotional Control

Red hearts are everywhere in stores as we celebrate Valentine's Day this week. The heart gets all of the credit for emotions, hence the red heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. While I'm not arguing for dull white, brain-shaped boxes of chocolate, the brain, as we know, is the actual seat of the emotions.