Executive functioning refers to a set of skills that help us manage the tasks of daily living. If you’re experiencing challenges with your executive functioning, you may find yourself struggling to complete chores at home, take care of your mental and physical health, and balance the competing demands of life.

This can be especially true for folks who are neurodivergent and may have differences in how their brain processes and manages tasks, including ADHD and the Autism spectrum. However, anyone can experience sudden changes in their executive functioning, especially following a significant life change. This might include a loss or setback, a career change, a decline in your physical or mental health, or adding a new member to your family.

If you’re concerned about your executive functioning or if you want to be more productive, you may benefit from exploring exactly how you’re getting these tasks done. 

There’s a concept often used in business settings called 80/20. 80/20 suggests that completing 80% of a task takes only 20% of the time and effort, while completing the final 20% of the task requires 80% of the time and effort. This is because it takes a lot of extra time and effort to arrive at a perfect result. You can make your day more efficient by focusing only on that 80%, which is the most important and functional parts of a task.

To apply this concept to your life, try this simple, four-step process to save time and improve productivity:

1. Start with the tasks that give you the most trouble and try to get to the heart of what you don’t like about them. Is it how much time they take? Do you find it boring? Are you missing a tool that would make it easier? Do you forget about the task? Different challenges can require different solutions, so this is an important step.
2. Ask yourself what makes this task important. Having clarity on the purpose it serves for you can help you determine how much energy it deserves – including whether it’s worth doing at all.
3. Imagine what it would look like to complete this task to 80% instead of 100%. Can you cut corners while still fulfilling the important function this task serves?
4. Explore whether there are any creative solutions that could make it easier for you to consistently complete the task. For example, I hate folding laundry – especially matching up socks. A few years ago, I got rid of all of my mismatched socks and replaced them with large packs of identical socks. I don’t fold or match my socks at all now – I just grab two from the drawer and go.

If you’re working with a counselor or therapist, sessions can be an excellent place to brainstorm creative solutions together and talk through any shame, perfectionism, or self-judgment that comes up in the process. 

And remember, aiming for function over form doesn’t have to be permanent. We all go through seasons in life where stress is higher than normal and energy or free time may be in short supply. Making adaptations you can use during these times to support yourself can help you maintain your functioning and self-care even when life gets tough.