GIGIBLAIR_2018_COLOR500GIGIBLAIR_2018_COLOR500GIGIBLAIR_2018_COLOR500GIGIBLAIR_2018_COLOR500
  • ABOUT
  • WORK WITH ME
    • Organizational Leaders
    • Business Owners
    • Complimentary Coaching
  • BOOK GIGI
  • RESULTS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • FREE WORKBOOK
Here's the workbook my clients use to help them Think Clearly and Communicate Confidently. It's yours free.
✕
Finish 2018 + Start 2019 Strong
10/01/2018
Executive Functions: Planning & Organization
10/15/2018

Flexible Thinking Part 2: Executive Functions

Via my recent weekly tips, we’ve been looking at the benefits of becoming a more Flexible Thinker.

Why? Because being able to “think flexibly” is considered an all-important executive functioning skill, and as such is vital to learning, working, and living well in everyday life.

I had some reader questions about executive functioning so I thought a little deeper dive into that topic was apropos.

Parents of little ones may be more connected to the term executive function as there is a focus in primary and secondary education about helping children develop these skills.

I assure you these lessons are NOT just for little ones, and there is great value in *grown-ups* looking at them again as a reminder of their place not only in our lives but in society as a whole.

Let’s start with the definition:

The executive functions are a set of processes that all have to do with managing oneself and one’s resources in order to achieve a goal. It is an umbrella term for the neurologically-based skills involving mental control and self-regulation.

So you might be thinking, “well I’m just not a goal-oriented person. I live contently day to day and I’ve achieved most of what I wanted to in life.” And with that you may think that the executive functioning skills don’t really apply to you. They do.

I turned to experts Joyce Cooper-Kahn and Laurie Dietzel to give us the basics on executive functioning:

“The Basics”

  • The executive functions all serve a “command and control” function; they can be viewed as the “conductor” of all cognitive skills.
  • Executive functions help us manage life tasks of all types. For example, executive functions let us organize a trip, deliver on a work project, or prepare healthy meals.
  • Often, when we think of problems with executive functioning, we think of disorganization. However, organization is only one of these important skills.

Following years of study neuropsychologists identified 8 executive function skills and for the next couple of week’s tips we will look at each of the skills. Here is a refresher on the skill “flexible thinking,” sometimes referred to as “shift.”

Flexible thinking is the ability to move freely from one situation to another and to think flexibly in order to respond to a (challenging) situation. This ability can help us stay calm, think clearly and make healthy choices, while inflexible thoughts build anger, cloud our thinking and often prompt us to make choices with unpleasant consequences.

At a glance, flexible thinking:

  • Allows us to switch gears and look at things from a different perspective
  • Requires the ability to “unlearn” old ways of doing things
  • Plays a key role in all types of learning.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.

If you’re interested in tuning into your executive functions, consider unlimited 1-on-1 coaching.

Share

Related posts

01/31/2019

How to Spot Fake News


Read more
Reduce Financial Stress
12/27/2018

Reduce Financial Stress By Practicing Intentional Shopping


Read more
11/19/2018

Two Ways to Make Thanksgiving More Fun


Read more

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contact Gigi Blair

P O Box 4413
Alexandria, VA 22303
703-354-8887
gb@GigiBlair.com

Let’s Stay In Touch

Signing up for this mailing list makes you smarter, more confident and fun (or better-looking.) You'll always have something to talk about at your next party.

Get It Now

Results

“Your weekly newsletter has been super helpful to me and I weave them into personal and professional discussions. Thanks for your insight and wisdom.” – Director, Enterprise and Government Solutions, Washington D.C. 

  • Home
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Results
  • Blog
  • Contact
© 2018 Live, Lead, Look by Gigi Blair. Website development by Eyely Design.