What I mean, Keet, is that there are many Executive Functions, some of which might be strong and others might be weak. I read that in 'Smart but Scattered.' There was even a test so I could learn the names of my strength areas so I could better use them to compensate for my weak areas of EF.
Example: I have almost zero ability to keep track of time. That's an executive function that I'm weak in. But I'm super strong at setting up systems to compensate for my challenge areas. Looking at the big picture and setting up systems is an area of EF that I'm strong in.
I used my strong ability to set up systems to brainstorm a few ideas to keep me on track, and found a few that work for me, such as having a watch with a timer on it and setting that timer for 5 minutes throughout the day so that when the watch beeps I take a look around and remember what I was supposed to be doing.
That specific trick won't work for everyone, but being a systems thinker helped me find the trick that works for me.
Being generally weak in EF isn't exactly a strength - but there are some wonderful upsides. For example 'being in the moment' is really easy for me. Marching to the beat of my own drummer - also easy, since I can't even hear anyone else's drummer!
I'm also more accepting of human frailty since I get frequent reminders of my own human frailties. I've used the weaknesses in EF to learn to laugh at myself. It's also made me a bit skeptical of the glories of having strong EF and jumping through societies' every hoop. I would call all this making lemonade out of lemons rather that a strength for weak EF.
I hope this makes more sense, yes?
Grinity
