Everyone uses supports - whether they are alarms on the phone, calendars, or even written sticky notes - it is normal to need supports.  So embrace this and figure out what type of external supports work for you.  Visuals are key and writing things down has been proven to help you remember.  Give yourself the structure you need externally while you are learning how to have this structure and support internally.

Adults with executive functioning weaknesses get used to failure and frustration.  Ask yourself - what would it take for me to be successful at this?  What type of supports would I need in place to be able to achieve my goals?  Start by putting those supports in place - even if you think you shouldn't need them.  Spend time there and learn what success feels like.  And then slowly - slower than you would want or think you should - start to remove the cues.  It will take time but eventually you will find you don't need these supports.

We all know those songs that get stuck in our head, 'earworms' many call them.  There is a reason these tunes stay in our head.  Embrace this and use it to your advantage.  Change to words and sing these to yourself to help you remember things.  From the correct order or paperwork at work to the things you need before you leave the house - use those tunes to help your memory.

If you pay attention to those around you - you will notice that just about everyone uses a schedule.  It may be the calendar app on their phone or maybe a paper and pen agenda.  Embrace this - whether it is paper or an app - and put things down on a schedule.  Not just appointments but have a daily schedule and create a routine.  This will allow you to spend less time (and less brain power) trying to figure out what you need to be doing and your days will start to go smoother and better.  Make sure to schedule in time to rest and recharge!  That is a very important piece of everyday!

People with executive functioning weakness have trouble linking past and future with the here and now.  Build in time to take a pause and think about what you did - even if you have to put it in your schedule.  What worked?  Why did it work?  Can you repeat this so things work again?  Can you adjust it to work in another area of life?  And also what didn't work and why?  And what could you do to maybe change it so it goes better next time?