Struggling with day-to-day tasks?

Boost your focus with our expert tips ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ [mindbodygreen ]( Hi there – It’s Morgan, mindbodygreen’s Supplement Editor. As adults, we use executive function skills constantly. They're critical for accomplishing daily tasks, achieving long-term goals, and operating as successful, functioning members of society. And I suck at them. No, really—I wish I were spinning an exaggerated tale here for the sake of hyperbole, but my subpar executive function skills maneuver an all-day, haphazard combat between me and my brain. From procrastination to time management, I have a seriously difficult time with executive function. But struggling with such a critical cognitive skill that affects my job, relationships, and personal goals has forced me to test out different strategies and techniques that help me stay focused, organized, and productive. I'm still working on winning the war, but these tried-and-true tips help me improve my executive function (and I'm winning way more battles than I used to). Wait, what is executive function? Executive function is a set of cognitive skills that help us plan, prioritize, focus attention on, and successfully execute tasks. Essentially, executive function is the bridge between wanting to do something and actually getting it done. Some examples of executive function skills include: - Organization - Time management - Task switching - Working memory - Impulse control - Delay aversion - Task initiation - Prioritization - Cognitive flexibility These highly important skills are mediated in the prefrontal cortex and regulated by key neurotransmitters—including dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine. [Shop focus+]( 5 ways I enhance my executive function skills. Here are the top things I do to work with (not against) my brain and enhance my executive function: 1. Take mbg's focus+. This daily nootropic supplement has completely changed my life. Thanks to ingredients like instant- and sustained-release plant-origin caffeine, L-theanine, Panax ginseng, guarana, and vitamin B12, [focus+]( supports executive function skills like attention, task switching, concentration, and working memory.* If you're looking for a supplement that can help you get shit done, I can't recommend it enough. 2. Write out to-do lists. I never, ever get through all items (because time management), but physically writing down and prioritizing tasks I need to accomplish is a helpful way to declutter my brain and focus my attention on one task at a time. 3. Eliminate digital distractions. This one may seem obvious, but if you struggle with task switching and impulse control like me, it's key to reducing the likelihood you'll get derailed. I live with my phone and computer on "do not disturb" mode for the majority of my workday to make sure Slack messages, emails, texts, and other notifications don't distract me. If I'm really determined to be focused (like when I have a big professional or personal project in the works), I also delete time-sucking apps like Instagram, Netflix, and YouTube from my phone entirely to remove the temptation to deliberately defocus. 4. Organize my life with an agenda. If you, too, find time management challenging, I recommend a physical agenda with a weekly layout and a monthly calendar so you can visually conceptualize upcoming assignments. This is also where I write my to-do lists and track my habits and goals. 5. Use a visual timer. I use an app called Time Timer to be aware of how much time is passing as I work on a task. While I don't always complete things in the time I've allotted, the visual representation makes me hyper-aware of how much time has passed so I can stay focused on the task at hand. [Shop focus+]( The takeaway Struggling with executive function can make day-to-day life pretty challenging, but with some targeted tools and strategies, you can enhance your executive function skills and bolster cognitive task performance For a simple and effective daily tool that promotes mental clarity, task performance, attention, and concentration, I seriously cannot recommend [mbg's focus+]( enough.* [Shop focus+]( *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Note: To ensure your mindbodygreen emails are delivered, please add hello@hello.mindbodygreen.com to your email contacts. ©2023 mindbodygreen. All rights reserved. [Click here to unsubscribe.](