#task initiation

Even with a masters degree

Executive dysfunction is hard to combat. I feel like a wild animal trainer but both the animal and the trainer are me! Allow me to help tame your inner beastie!

If a task is Difficult, Boring, and there’s No Immediate Reward I can’t do it. Doing something difficult and interesting or boring and rewarding, or even easy and boring can be a challenge. It’s a challenge but I can do it. I simply can’t do something difficult, and boring with no reward. The trifecta is insurmountable!

My brain becomes teflon. Suddenly, I’m too tired to keep my eyes open. When I think of the task I’m filled with so much dread I would rather die (hyperbolically) than do it.

Q: What to do when faced with the trifecta?

A: Pick one and give it a sucker punch to the gut! (Metaphorically)

1. Difficult- Can you make the task easier? (Ask for help, break it up into smaller tasks, pay extra for the easier option because it’s worth it to finally move on with your life etc)

2. Boring-Can you make the task more interesting? (Turn it into a game, relate it to your special interest, raise the stakes etc)

3. No Immediate Reward- Can you make the task more rewarding? (Give yourself a little treat for what you complete, pair the bad task with a thing you do enjoy, don’t allow yourself to do fun things until you finish the difficult bits, etc)

Example:

I need to do physical therapy. It’s difficult and painful. I continue to have pain long after it’s over. It’s boring. There’s no real reward. Only the eventual consequence of losing muscle mass and mobility.

I really really really don’t want the consequences. It’s important to me but executive dysfunction brain doesn’t give a SHIT what’s important to you. It only cares about what’s interesting, comfortable, fun, or rewarding.

Solution:

I made a burlesque routine with floor work that will help me work the same muscles as my physical therapy.

Bam! I win!! Suck my nutz! executive dysfunction!

1- wet hair completely with spray bottle: I have very curly hair so it’s easiest to style when wet. I wet my hair using a spray bottle and brush it out

2- style hair: once my hair is wet I like to put my product in. On days like this it’s not feasible for me to wash my hair so I go straight to styling

3- wash body: I use a two face cloth method. One with soap which is to clean any sweat producing areas (armpits, underboob, behind knees, etc.) then one with cold water to wipe off the soap and clean the rest of my body

4- deodorant: I already use deodorant at night and in the morning but when I don’t shower it’s extremely important. Try to find one that says like “72 hour protection” our “long lasting” for at night.

5- wash feet: I tend to walk bear foot as often as possible so my feet get pretty dirty so I like to wash them as well with soap

6- moisturizer: I use various moisturizers in order to help my skin and body after such rough treatment. Vaseline anywhere that was already dry before and lips, Nivea cream on hands (and my knees if they feel dry), a facial moisturizer on my face, hand lotion on any other part of my body that I feel needs it