# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why ADHD Brains Are So (HEY LOOK BALLOON!) Impulsive

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
At a glance

Working memory refers to how we hold on to and work with information stored in short-term memory.

Kids use working memory to learn and follow directions.

You can build working memory games into your child's daily life.

Does your child have a hard time keeping one bit of information in mind while doing something else? For example, you're making spaghetti together, and your child's in charge of the sauce. But your child leaves to answer a text and forgets to come back and stir. Working memory challenges can cause trouble with tasks like these.

Working memory refers to how we hold on to and work with information that short-term memory stores. (In the past, the term working memory was used interchangeably with short-term memory.) It's part of a group of skills called executive function.

Kids use working memory all the time to learn. It's needed for things like following multi-step directions or solving a math problem in your head. You can help your child improve working memory by building simple strategies into everyday life.

1. Work on visualization skills.

Encourage kids to create a picture in their mind of what they've just read or heard. For example, say you've asked your child to set the table for five people. Have your child imagine what the table should look like, and then draw it. As kids get better at visualizing, they can describe the image instead of drawing it.

2. Have your child teach you.

Being able to explain how to do something involves making sense of information and mentally filing it. Maybe your child is learning a skill, like how to dribble a basketball. Ask your child to teach you this skill. Teachers do something similar by pairing up students in class. This lets them start working with the information right away rather than waiting to be called on.

3. Try games that use visual memory.

There are lots of matching games that can help kids work on visual memory, like the classic game Concentration (or Memory). You can also do things like give kids a magazine page and ask them to circle all instances of the word the or the letter a. License plates can also be a lot of fun. Take turns reciting the letters and numbers on a license plate and then saying them backwards, too.

Simple card games like Crazy Eights, Uno, Go Fish, and War can improve working memory in two ways. Kids have to keep the rules of the game in mind. They also have to remember what cards they have and which ones other people have played.

5. Encourage active reading.

There's a reason highlighters and sticky notes are so popular: Jotting down notes and underlining or highlighting text can help kids keep the information in mind long enough to answer questions about it. Talking out loud and asking questions about the reading material can also help with working memory. Active reading strategies like these can help with forming long-term memories, too.

6. Chunk information into smaller bites.

Ever wonder why phone numbers and social security numbers have hyphens in them? Because it's easier to remember a few small groups of numbers than it is to remember one long string of numbers. Keep this in mind when you need to give your child multi-step directions. Write them down or give them one at a time. You can also use graphic organizers to help break writing assignments into smaller pieces.

Using multiple senses to process information can help with working memory and long-term memory. Write tasks down so your child can look at them. Say them out loud so your child can hear them. Walk through the house as you discuss the family chores your child needs to complete. Using multisensory strategies can help kids keep information in mind long enough to use it.

8. Help make connections.

Help your child form associations that connect different details and make them more memorable. One way is to grab your child's interest with fun mnemonics. (For instance, the made-up name "Roy G. Biv" can help kids remember the order of the colors in the rainbow - red, orange, yellow, and so on.) Finding ways to connect information helps with forming and retrieving long-term memory. It also helps with working memory, which is what we use to hold and compare new and old memories.

Key takeaways

Teaching kids ways to visualize thoughts can help improve their working memory.

Card games and other fun activities can help build working memory.

Finding ways to connect information can help your child with long-term memory as well as working memory.

About the author

About the author

Amanda Morin is the author of "The Everything Parent's Guide to Special Education" and the former director of thought leadership at Understood. As an expert and writer, she helped build Understood from its earliest days.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Thomas E. Brown, PhD is a clinical psychologist and clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Working memory games can help kids get better at remembering and using information. Here are eight simple ways to improve working memory in your child.

# data[].attributes.headline
How to Help Middle Schoolers Gain Self Control

# data[].attributes.subject
How to Help Middle Schoolers Gain Self Control

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many middle-schoolers act without thinking from time to time. But some kids have more trouble with self-control than others.

Set expectations, talk about feelings, and model self-control.

Encouraging cool-downs and praising your child's efforts also help.

Many middle-schoolers act without thinking at times. It just comes with the territory at that age. But if your child seems to have more trouble with self-control than most-whether it's at school, at home, or with friends-it could be more than just a passing phase.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to help. Kids can learn techniques and strategies to better manage their behavior and emotions. Here are tips for helping your middle-schooler gain self-control.

Some tweens and teens react badly because they don't know what to expect in certain situations. Or, just as important, they might not be sure what's expected of them.

Fill your child in ahead of time if something is going to be boring or unpleasant. You can say things like: "This Saturday I want you to help clean out the garage. This should take until about noon. But after that you can go hang out with friends."

Having the words to explain their emotions helps kids feel more in control. It can also help them recognize feelings before they act on them. Gently point out your child's behavior, and the emotion behind it:

"I've heard a lot of doors slamming today. Can I ask why?" (Focusing on what you see or hear, rather than what your child did or said-for example, "Why are you slamming doors?"-can make the situation feel less like a blame game.)

"I'm seeing lots of sad expressions today. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the test scores. Do you want to talk about it?"

This can take real commitment on your part. But when kids see the adults in their lives showing self-control, they're more likely to do the same.

For example, if you get a parking ticket, count to 10 until the impulse to lose your temper passes. Can't find your wallet and now you're late taking the kids to school and going to work? Take a breath and ask out loud where was the last place you had it.

By doing this you're not only modeling self-control. You're problem solving, too.

Encourage your child to take a break in stressful situations. For example, if your child is getting angry about tricky homework or chores and starts yelling at you, try not to yell back.

Instead, suggest that you both step away until things have cooled down. (An angry child hears no one. You'll also be modeling how to show patience.) Walking around the block or having a snack may be enough for things to calm down.

When you see your child showing self-control, say it out loud. A simple statement can motivate a kid to continue the good behavior.

For example, if your child practices the piano instead of doing something more fun (like hanging out with friends), you can say "I know you wanted to get together with your friends. You should be really proud you finished practicing and figured out a way to see them tomorrow."

Telling your middle-schooler you appreciate the effort not only gives a confidence boost. It's also a way of showing respect-something tweens often crave from their parents.

It's common for teens and tweens to have trouble with self-control.

You can help your child gain self-control by talking through expectations and helping identify feelings.

Encourage cool-downs when your child is angry-and point out when your child shows self-control.

About the Author

About the Author

The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Jenn Osen-Foss, MAT is an instructional coach, supporting teachers in using differentiated instruction, interventions, and co-planning.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Help Middle-Schoolers Gain Self-Control

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many middle-schoolers act without thinking from time to time. But some kids have more trouble with self-control than others. Set expectations, talk about feelings, and model self-control. Encouraging cool-downs and praising your child's efforts also help. Many middle-schoolers act without thinking at times. It just comes with the territory at that age.

# data[].attributes.headline
10 Tips to Help Get Your Child Organized

# data[].attributes.subject
10 Tips to Help Get Your Child Organized

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Getting organized can make life easier for kids with learning and thinking differences. It might take some effort in the beginning, but it's worth it in the long run. Here are tips to help kids improve organization skills at home, at school, and beyond.

1. Break tasks into chunks.

Help kids break school projects or household chores into smaller, more manageable steps. This will show them that each project has a beginning, middle, and end, which can make projects feel less overwhelming. For example, if your child's nightly chore is to clear the table, explain: First, scrape any food scraps into the garbage. Then load the dishes into the dishwasher. Then wipe the counters.

2. Make checklists and to-do lists.

Once kids know all the steps involved with a particular task, help them add it to an overall to-do list. Include regular homework and chores on the list. Encourage kids to keep the list in a place where they'll see it often and can check off accomplishments as they go. Some kids might create their list using a smartphone app. Others may write it on a dry-erase board in their bedroom or print out a list to carry around throughout the day.

3. Teach calendar and time management skills.

Encourage kids to write down important tasks on a calendar (digital or paper). Then help them estimate how much time each task will take. After they complete a task, ask whether the time estimate was accurate or not. If needed, suggest adjustments for next time. It may also help to have kids write the due date directly on school assignments.

4. Establish daily routines.

Creating a regular schedule can help kids learn what to expect throughout the day. Use picture schedules, clocks, and other time management strategies.

5. Introduce idea organizers.

Show kids how to use outlines, graphic organizers, or concept webs to organize ideas for school projects. Encourage them to take class notes in two columns , using a narrow column on the left for main ideas or questions and a wide column on the right for all the details. Later, when they're studying for a test, they can look at what's in the narrow column to review the big ideas and see if they can remember the details.

Assign colors to each school subject. For example, green folders and notebooks may be for English and blue for math. Use brightly colored pocket folders for items that need to be signed and returned. Suggest using pens of different colors to help kids shift from the role of writer to the role of self-checker and editor.

7. Create fun memory aids.

Show kids how to create their own silly sentences, songs, acronyms, or cartoons to remember information. (One popular mnemonic, "Never Eat Soggy Waffles," helps kids remember north, east, south, and west.) They can use these memory aids for anything from preparing for an exam to recalling a locker combination.

8. Create an organized work space.

Set aside spaces at home where each child can work without interruption. It might work best if this is somewhere near you for times when they need your assistance. Keep school supplies and technology such as calculators, tablets, or laptops nearby.

9. Do regular backpack audits.

Your child's backpack is a crucial link between home and school, so it's important to keep it neat. Schedule a time each week for kids to clean out and organize the backpack .

10. Help kids think ahead.

Before bedtime, sit down together to review plans for the next day. This can make kids feel more secure. Together you can plan how to handle things if a change comes up in the schedule.

About the Author

About the Author

Lexi Walters Wright is the former Community Manager at Understood. As a writer and editor, she helps parents make more informed choices for their children and for themselves.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Ginny Osewalt is a dually certified elementary and special education teacher with more than 15 years of experience in general education, inclusion, resource room, and self-contained settings.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 tips to help get your child organized

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Getting organized can make life easier for kids with learning and thinking differences. It might take some effort in the beginning, but it's worth it in the long run. Here are tips to help kids improve organization skills at home, at school, and beyond. 1. Break tasks into chunks.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Trouble focusing can be a long-term or short-term challenge. Either way, it makes learning hard. It also impacts everyday life.

You can't always change the circumstances that make it hard to focus. But there are ways to help your child cut through distractions and get things done.

1. Jump right into projects.

The longer you put off starting a task, the harder it can be to focus on it. That goes for projects for school and around the house.

That doesn't mean your child has to do everything at once, though. To make it easier to get started, try breaking tasks into chunks . The important thing is to not delay getting started.

2. Limit directions to one or two at a time.

When kids struggle with focus, it can be hard for them to listen to, remember, and follow through on directions . So try not to overload your child with too many directions at once.

Let's say it's time for homework. You might tell your child to check the assignment book, get out the right materials, and start working. If that's too much for your child to focus on and keep in mind, break it down into single steps.

Knowing there's a limit to how long they have to stay focused can make it easier for kids to hang in there. Set a timer for how long your child needs to work before having a quick snack or taking a play break. You can increase the amount of time little by little as your child gets better at focusing.

Mindfulness exercises are all about paying attention and focusing. Studies have shown that mindfulness can help kids improve their behavior and their ability to focus on lessons and on schoolwork.

One way to practice is to sit quietly and focus on breathing in and out. Taking even a few deep breaths before class or a test could make a difference.

Some people need total quiet to focus. Others do better with noise. That's why it's important to ask kids what works best for them.

Maybe your child wants to listen to music while doing homework. Give it a try and see how it goes.

6. Direct focus back to the task.

Even when using these focus techniques, kids might still get distracted. That's why they also need strategies to get back on task once they've drifted.

Come up with a signal for when your child's mind starts to wander. It might be putting a hand on your child's shoulder or saying a specific word. Tell your child's teacher you're trying these strategies at home.

Other ways to help your child focus

There are lots of other strategies, techniques, and low-cost tools you can use to help your child with focus at home.

Struggling with focus or any other skill can take a toll on a child's self-esteem. Praise your child's hard work to improve focus. Point out even small improvements. And let your child know that focus skills can get better.

And remember to talk about your child's strengths, not just challenges. Celebrate focus wins, big and small. When kids understand what they're good at, it builds confidence and helps them stay motivated when things get tough.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Trouble focusing can be a long-term or short-term challenge. Either way, it makes learning hard. It also impacts everyday life. You can't always change the circumstances that make it hard to focus. But there are ways to help your child cut through distractions and get things done. 1. Jump right into projects.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Best Planners That Work for my ADHD Brain

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why it's So Hard to Achieve a Goal (ft. ADHD coach Alan Graham)

# data[].attributes.headline
Now Not to Need as Much Motivation to do the Thing

# data[].attributes.subject
Now Not to Need as Much Motivation to do the Thing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Not NEED as Much Motivation to do the Thing

# data[].attributes.headline
How Not to Need as Much Motivation to do the Thing

# data[].attributes.subject
How Not to Need as Much Motivation to do the Thing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Not NEED as Much Motivation to do the Thing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Homework: Top 10 Tips for ADHD Success

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Homework: Top 10 Tips for ADHD Success

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Homework: Top 10 Tips for ADHD Success

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Get Projects Done, On Time, Without Your Life Falling Apart in the Process

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Get Projects Done, On Time, Without Your Life Falling Apart in the Process

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why the Bullet Journal is the Best Planner for ADHD Brains

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Is It So Hard to Do Something That Should Be Easy?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Get More Done (Feat. Monotasking)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Deal with Clutter When You Have ADHD

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why I Can't Remember Things -- How ADHD Affects Working Memory

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What if I Can't Tell What I'm Feeling? (Alexithymia)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Where do I go from here? Cognitive Flexibility

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How can I be more creative? - Exercise Cognitive Flexibility with a Mini Creative Thinking Workshop

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is Cognitive Flexibility | Explained in 2 min

# data[].attributes.headline
Metacognition: The Skill that Promotes Advanced Learning

# data[].attributes.subject
Metacognition: The Skill that Promotes Advanced Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Metacognition: The Skill That Promotes Advanced Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is metacognition? (Exploring the Metacognition Cycle)

# data[].attributes.headline
How to Improve Your Time Management Skills

# data[].attributes.subject
How to Improve Your Time Management Skills

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Find a time management strategy that works for you, like planning out each day ahead of time and organizing your schedule around when you work best.

Use to-do lists and distraction lists to organize what you need to get done and what might throw you off track.

Improve your time management skills by working in sprints to make the most of your productive hours.

Organizing your days may seem like a daunting task, particularly in an age when there are more distractions than ever. In 2019, RescueTime, a time management software program, analyzed 185 million working hours of anonymized and aggregated data from its users. It found that workers averaged just two hours and 48 minutes of productive device time a day. Productivity and burnout management advisers say you can make the most of your productive hours by planning your workday in advance.

Sometimes that can start with a small step. "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed," retired U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven said in a commencement speech at the University of Texas, Austin. When Adm. McRaven was in Navy SEAL training, his instructors would inspect his bed to make sure it was perfectly made. In the speech, Adm. McRaven says it seemed ridiculous to him initially, but he eventually learned that accomplishing this first task of the day gave him a "small sense of pride" and encouraged him to go on and complete other tasks.

Have a weekly review to determine how to manage your time.

Stave off the "Sunday scaries" by planning out your week. Marie Poulin, a workflow consultant, spends some time on Sunday evenings plotting out how she will spend her workweek. She uses time blocks in Google Calendar to first map out what she calls "mind, body spirit" time for self-care. Then she makes time for meetings and other obligations. She also uses a time-management strategy called the Pomodoro Technique, which involves breaking down projects into tasks and focusing on them in 25-minute intervals. "I think a productive day always starts with a productive week," Ms. Poulin says.

The planning session doesn't have to take long, says Khe Hy, founder of RadReads, a newsletter and website that explores productivity, money and ambition. Ten minutes on a Sunday night could save you hours during the workweek.

Try setting an hour by hour plan.

You might feel as though you are doing a lot through the day without accomplishing what you needed to. To combat this, Laura Mae Martin, executive productivity adviser at Google, writes an hour-by-hour list of how she plans to spend the next day.

She thinks of this approach as similar to setting an agenda for a meeting: "If you set an agenda for a meeting, everybody is in the right place mentally, they know exactly what you're going to talk about, and the meeting starts right away and you're on topic."

To manage your time better, organize your day based on when you work best.

If you are working from home, you might have more flexibility in your work hours. You may be able to begin your day earlier, but break for a midmorning walk-or start later and fire off emails when you are most alert in the afternoon. Understanding how your energy ebbs and flows can help you schedule your day around when you work best, says Ms. Martin.

Start each day with a win.

Like Adm. McRaven, Mr. Hy suggests starting your day off with an easy win, such as making your bed. "By making your bed, you've secured a repeatable win before the rest of the world has even opened their laptops," says Mr. Hy.

If you are a morning person, you can also complete a task related to your long-term goals. "Think about if you just worked on the highest-leverage, highest-skill thing you could do at that point in your life for 25 minutes every morning for your entire career. Anything you ever wanted out of work, you would have in your life," says Mr. Hy.

Start your day off right to get rid of stress.

Before you start responding to emails, try having a brief check-in with yourself, says Emily Ballesteros, a burnout management coach. She puts headphones on and listens to an upbeat song before starting work for the day to get herself into the right mood.

Increase your productivity by working on the highest priority tasks when you have the energy.

Even though the typical workday lasts eight hours, most people are productive for a fraction of those hours, says Mr. Hy. Because he has the most energy in the morning, Mr. Hy says he knows he needs to complete his strategic and creative work before noon. Once you decide what your priorities are for the day, you should map the highest priorities to when you have the most energy, he says.

Work in sprints.

Find a length of time that you can work uninterrupted and stick to it. Ms. Ballesteros works in 50-minute increments, and ends with five-minute "energy blocks." During these short breaks, she recommends having a list of what you want to do so you don't get sucked into your phone. This might include getting a snack, going for a short walk or doing a small household chore. "Deadlines create urgency, which creates focus," she says.

Use checklists to better manage your time.

Ms. Ballesteros recommends keeping two lists handy: A to-do list and a distraction list. The to-do list, she says, is there to remind you of your priorities during your work sprints. The distraction list is everything that can derail you, such as remembering that you need to text your mom back or need to pick up something at the grocery store. Ms. Ballesteros suggests making time at the end of the day to get the essentials on your distraction list completed.

Avoid burnout by remembering to stop working.

Withoutcommutes, many Americans are working longer hours. You will be more productive and less likely to burn out if you set boundaries for yourself. At the end of each day, a calendar reminder that says, "Shut it down, Marie," pops up on Ms. Poulin's screen. "It actually says that to me to remind me to step away from the computer," she says.

Resources

Software including Pomodoro, Google Calendar and Calendly can be used to schedule your time.

RescueTime can help you track your workload.

Trello is a collaborative digital whiteboard that lets far-flung colleagues organize projects, create to-do lists and assign tasks.

What to read next

Further reading

Copyright ©2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Improve Your Time Management Skills and Succeed in the Workplace

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find a time management strategy that works for you, like planning out each day ahead of time and organizing your schedule around when you work best. Use to-do lists and distraction lists to organize what you need to get done and what might throw you off track.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
While your teen may think it's fine to wait until the last possible second to complete her high school science lab or her math project, procrastination can be a big problem later in life.

She may find that waiting until the last second means an unexpected illness, emergency, or problem will prevent her from getting her work done. Her future boss or college professors aren't likely to accept late work-or the excuses that accompany delayed projects.

Teens who don't learn time management skills are at risk of becoming lifelong procrastinators. And waiting until the last possible minute to get things could cause problems ranging from high-stress levels to relationship trouble.

It's important to teach your teen how to behave responsibly. That means managing her time wisely without requiring constant reminders or assistance from you to get her work done.

Importance of Time Management

High school can be very busy. But the adult world can be even busier. So it's important to start teaching your teen how to manage his time now.

The perks of good time management include:

Better decision-making skills

Better performance at work and school

Increased responsibility and independence

More opportunities to relax and unwind

More time for family and friends

Reduced anxiety when projects are due in school or test dates are approaching

Teaching Time Management Skills

Teens usually have fairly structured schedules. Their school day and their after-school activities are planned out for them. As a result, many of them don't learn how to manage their time wisely when they have some downtime.

Here are some steps you can take to teach your teen essential time management skills:

Advise your teen to write down his schedule. Your teen's time may easily get taken up with video games or social media if he's not careful. Teach him to schedule his day so he can set aside time for chores, homework, and other responsibilities. Encourage him to schedule free time as well, so time doesn't idly pass without feeling like he hasn't done anything fun.

Avoid nagging. It can be tempting to nag your teen or offer repeat reminders. But, telling your teen to do his homework or his chores over and over again, reduces his responsibility.﻿﻿ Set rules about your expectations and follow through with consequences when necessary.

Encourage your teenager to develop routines. Encourage your teen to establish healthy habits, like doing his chores right after school.﻿﻿ Once he gets into the routine of doing things in a certain order, he won't have to waste time thinking about what to do next.

Give your teen time management tools. Whether it's a planner that your teen writes everything in or an app that manages your teen's schedule, help your teen find the tools that will work best for him. Talk about the importance of creating a schedule and using lists to prioritize his time wisely.

Help her to set goals. Talk to your teen about the personal goals she wants to reach. Then, help her identify how much time she'll need to work on that goal each day. Whether she wants to exercise for 30 minutes 3 times each week or she decides to apply for scholarships one Saturday afternoon each month, goal setting is a great way to help her manage her time.

Help your teen prioritize activities. It's common for teens to have conflicts in their schedules. A basketball game, birthday party, and church activity may all coincide. Talk to your teen about how to prioritize activities, based on his values and commitments.

Model good time management habits. If you're always running late or you miss a lot of deadlines, your teen will follow suit. Practice managing your own time wisely and show your teen that you can accomplish the most important tasks in any given day.

Set limits on electronics. Your teen may waste countless hours on social media or playing video games if she's not careful. Establish rules that help her create healthy habits with her cellphone and other digital devices.

Encourage your teen to practice time management skills. There will be times that she's going to miscalculate how long a project will take or days when she forgets a deadline. Help her learn from those mistakes, and remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Helping Your Teen With Time Management for a Successful Life

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Use strategies to help your teens learn essential time management skills, which will serve them well throughout their lives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Time Management Techniques for Teens: The Ultimate Guide

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Time management for teens is essential in making them more productive and independent. Here are 11 tips to manage their time wisely.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In the workplace, employees are often required to do more work with fewer resources. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, but you can alleviate this feeling by developing a goal-oriented mindset. Becoming goal-oriented allows you to organize your daily tasks while staying focused on the bigger picture. This article will help you understand the goal-oriented mindset and the skills to become goal-oriented.

What does goal-oriented mean?

Goal-oriented means setting goals and planning tasks, then taking action to complete the tasks that lead to the larger, overall accomplishment while staying focused on the desired results. Becoming goal-oriented allows you to effectively allocate your time and energy to tasks that drive progress toward the results you want. Developing a goal-oriented mindset means focusing your energy in three major areas: planning and organizing your tasks, completing tasks, and maintaining your motivation.

Planning and organizing the tasks required to complete a goal allows you to feel more control over the project and its outcomes. Goal-oriented means being single-minded in pursuit of a goal, which translates to focusing on and completing each individual task. Focusing on and completing each task also allows you to track progress toward achieving the goal, which helps you maintain motivation.

Results-oriented is another word for goal-oriented. It means you plan your activities and complete tasks in the pursuit of a specific goal or result.

Goal-oriented vs. goal-driven

Goal-oriented and goal-driven are often used as synonyms. However, they can also work together. Goal-oriented is staying focused on your goals while planning and completing tasks toward the accomplishment of your goals. Being goal-driven can help you maintain motivation in performing daily tasks by knowing that the tasks lead to an overall goal. Daily tasks can feel overwhelming, but maintaining focus on the bigger picture and the desired outcomes will help you stay organized and motivated.

Skills that demonstrate goal-orientation

Some skills help support and develop a goal-oriented mindset. Learning and developing these skills can help you become goal-oriented, manage your workload and increase job satisfaction.

Here are some examples of goal-oriented skills:

Planning and organization

The ability to plan and organize your time and space allows you to prioritize work, meet deadlines and maintain an orderly space to stay on top of projects and assignments. This shows employers that you are able to manage your workload to complete assignments on time. Planning and organization require the ability to accurately estimate the time required to complete tasks and prioritize work to ensure you meet important deadlines. Planning and organization also help you feel more in control of your time and energy, which will help you stay motivated toward accomplishing your goals.

Prioritizing

Prioritizing is the ability to identify important tasks that you need to complete first before moving on to less important tasks. The ability to prioritize your work is related to time management and helps you complete important tasks on time. Prioritizing your tasks allows you to complete the important tasks that drive progress toward your goals. Prioritizing these important tasks allows you to see the results of your work as you track progress toward your goals.

Time management

Time management is the ability to plan and prioritize your time. It includes accurately assessing how long tasks will take and planning tasks accordingly to make the most of your time and meet deadlines. Although constant productivity may seem like the best way to manage your time, taking breaks and scheduling down-time is an important aspect of time management. Breaks allow you to rest and regroup before tackling the next task. Successfully managing your time will help you stay focused and make progress toward larger goals.

Motivation

Motivation is the ability to commit to performing a task and following through with that commitment. It can be external or internal. The rewards and consequences you expect are considered external motivation. Being goal-oriented and focusing on the results you expect after accomplishing a goal is an example of external motivation. Internal motivation is the way work makes you feel. A sense of purpose or gratification from work is an example of internal motivation. Understanding and identifying your motivations help you commit to performing the tasks to achieve your goals.

How to list goal-oriented skills on a resume

Listing goal-oriented skills on your resume can show that you can effectively manage your workload, complete tasks and meet deadlines in the workplace. It is important to list skills you are confident in so you can discuss the details and represent yourself properly.

Here are two ways to include these skills on your resume:

1. First, you can list goal-oriented skills on your resume directly within a 'Skills' section

If you have a separate section on your resume for listing relevant skills, include important goal-oriented skills in this section. For clarity, consider grouping these skills separately from technical or functional skills.

2. Second, you can include goal-oriented skills on your resume within descriptions of your experience

You can also include goal-oriented skills in your 'Work/Professional Experience' section. For example, you can list experience that demonstrates how you effectively planned and prioritized tasks then managed your time to complete a project before the deadline.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Goal-Oriented vs. Goal-Driven: What is the Difference?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In the workplace, employees are often required to do more work with fewer resources. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, but you can alleviate this feeling by developing a goal-oriented mindset. Becoming goal-oriented allows you to organize your daily tasks while staying focused on the bigger picture.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Task Initiation Executive Functioning Strategies - The OT Toolbox

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Task initiation is one of the many executive functioning skills that can be a big problem for kids. It happens to all of us. We procrastinate. From the youngest toddler to the oldest among us, we all procrastinate in one way or another. Hey, that stack of bills mixed with junk mail over there on the ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tips to Improve Prioritization - The OT Toolbox

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here, we cover tips for prioritizing tasks and time management, in easy to facilitate strategies for prioritization and task completion.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We've been talking a lot about executive functioning skills here on The OT Toolbox recently. There's a reason why: so many kids struggle with executive function disorder or just are challenged by sills that make up the executive functions. Planning and prioritizing tasks is a big concern for many kids who struggle. These skill areas are essential for initiating tasks and following through with projects.

Teaching Kids To Plan and Prioritize

We know the feeling of being stuck on a big project. It can be overwhelming when we are presented with a task so immense that we spin our wheels with fixing problems. Maybe a big house remodel or other multi-step project comes to mind. For our kids with executive functioning challenges, the smallest project or task can be overwhelming. Planning and prioritization are a big part of that. In fact, many adults struggle with the skills of planning and prioritization, too. Recently, I've had many readers reach out in response to our Here are s

free executive functioning skills email course. Several readers have indicated that much of the information applies to themselves (and adults) or other adults they know. Planning and prioritization are skills that can be difficult to establish well into adulthood. For the adult with executive functioning difficulties, these are common concerns and challenges. The information below can be a help to children, teens, and even adults.

trategies to help the adult with executive function disorder. Many of these tips and strategies are great for teens as well.

Kids that need help with planning and prioritization

You've probably seen the child that:

Can't get started on homework

Has trouble figuring out how to start a big assignment like a book report

Starts a project but then never finishes because they struggle with the steps

Has difficulty remembering and completing all of the steps to when getting dressed and ready for the day

Can't figure out the most important assignments to complete first

Has trouble when there are more than a few items on a "to-do" list

Can't sequence a project visually or verbally

Has trouble looking at the "big picture"

Can't figure out how to find the important items when cleaning out a messy desk

Overwhelmed when planning out the day

The activities listed below can help with the executive functioning skills of planning and prioritization:

Prioritization is another complex executive functioning skill that, when achieved, provides kids with the ability to achieve goals. Deciding on steps of a process and thinking through that process to work toward the most important tasks is a difficult skill for many kids.

When prioritization is difficult for a person, getting every day tasks like getting dressed, completing homework, or multi-step tasks can be nearly impossible.

Prioritization allows us to make decisions about what is important so we can know what to focus on and what's not as important. Being able to discern tasks that are necessary from those that we should do is crucial.

Prioritization is a critical skill to have, but can take some practice to achieve. Try the activities listed below to support development of this skill.

Activities to Teach Prioritization

Provide opportunities to practice prioritizing by planning simple tasks. Talk about how to build a snowman, how to make a bed, and other tasks they are familiar with.

Discuss the most important steps of tasks. What must be done before any other step can be done.

Show kids photos,and ask for their opinions about what they found to be the most important detail or big idea.

Make to-do lists to help kids plan and prioritize. Once you have everything written down, rhen rank tasks in order of importance.

Make a list of assignments with due dates. Highlight the things that must be done first.

Create a calendar and schedule.

Create a daily task list. Check off items as they are completed.

Try easy projects. If something seems to "big", break it down into smaller steps.

How to Teach Planning

Planning is an executive functioning skill that refers to the ability to create a plan or a roadmap to reach a goal. Completing tasks requires the ability to have a mental plan in place so that things get done. Draw out plans. The drawing prompts in the

Planning and prioritization are EF skills that are closely related. Additionally, skills like foresight, working memory, and organization enable successful planning.

Planning can be a stumbling block for many with executive functioning challenges. Try the activities below to support the ability to plan out tasks:

Impulse Control Journal can be a great exercise in using drawing to work on real skills and goals with kids. Teach kids to create a mind map to plan out a multiple step project.

Teach kids to create lists. Using sticky notes can make planning easier and allow kids to physically move tasks to a "done" pile as they are completed.

Plan a simple task like making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Ask kids to write out the steps then check them off as they are completed.

Take planning and prioritization a step farther

Want to really take executive function skills like planning and prioritization to the next level of success? The Impulse Control Journal is your guide to addressing the underlying skills that play into trouble with planning and prioritization.

The journal is an 80 page collection of worksheets and prompts to discover what's really going on behind executive functioning skills like planning, organization, prioritization, working memory, and of course, impulse control.

While the guide was developed for students of all ages, this printable workbook is perfect for adults, too. It can help you discover strategies that make a real impact for all of the skills needed to get things done.

Here's the thing; Everyone is SO different when it comes to struggles related to executive functioning and everyone's interests, needs, challenges, strengths, and weaknesses are different too. All of these areas play into the challenges we see on the surface. And, this is where the Impulse Control Journal really hits those strengths, weaknesses, and challenges where it matters...in creating a plan that really works for kids of all ages (and adults, too!)

Check out the Impulse Control Journal, and grab it before the end of February, because you'll get a bonus packet of Coping Cards while the journal is at it's lowest price.

The Impulse Control Journal has been totally revamped to include 79 pages of tools to address the habits, mindst, routines, and strategies to address impulse control in kids.

More about the Impulse Control Journal:

30 Drawing Journal Pages to reflect and pinpoint individual strategies

28 Journal Lists so kids can write quick checklists regarding strengths, qualities, supports, areas of need, and insights

8 Journaling worksheets to pinpoint coping skills, feelings, emotions, and strategies that work for the individual

Daily and Weekly tracking sheets for keeping track of tasks and goals

Mindset,Vision, and Habit pages for helping kids make an impact

Self-evaluation sheets to self-reflect and identify when inhibition is hard and what choices look like

Daily tracker pages so your child can keep track of their day

Task lists to monitor chores and daily tasks so it gets done everyday

Journal pages to help improve new habits

Charts and guides for monitoring impulse control so your child can improve their self confidence

Strategy journal pages to help kids use self-reflection and self-regulation so they can succeed at home and in the classroom

Goal sheets for setting goals and working to meet those goals while improving persistence

Tools for improving mindset to help kids create a set of coping strategies that work for their needs

This is a HUGE digital resource that you can download and print to use over and over again.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Executive Functioning Skills- Teach Planning and Prioritization - The OT Toolbox

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We've been talking a lot about executive functioning skills here on The OT Toolbox recently. There's a reason why: so many kids struggle with executive function disorder or just are challenged by sills that make up the executive functions. Planning and prioritizing tasks is a big concern for many kids who struggle.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Easy Impulse Control Strategies - The OT Toolbox

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Check out these easy impulse control strategies to help kids impact impulsive behaviors and impulsivity that impacts function.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Working memory is a skill we need for everything we do! From answering the phone to shopping at the grocery store; working memory is happening at every given moment. Kids who struggle with executive functioning skills often times have working memory challenges. Children with autism or sensory processing disorders likely have issues with working memory. Let's talk about what working memory is and how to improve working memory in kids so they can be successful in those everyday tasks.

What is Working Memory?

Working Memory is the ability to act on past memories and manipulating the information in a new situation. Processing short term memories and using it allows us to respond in new situations. Working memory Executive functions are heavily dependent on attention. Read about the
allows us to learn. Using working memory skills we can use past information in reading in order to read sight words. We can remember math facts, state capitals, mnemonics, phone numbers, addresses, and friends' names. We can then use that information to answer questions based on what we know and apply that information in new situations.

attention and executive functioning skill connection and the impact of attention on each of the executive functioning skills that children require and use every day.

In order for working memory to be used in daily tasks, we need a few key items. Our brain might be considered a memory soup and the key ingredients to working memory are attention, focus, auditory memory and visual-spatial memory.

Read more about visual memory and how to incorporate strategies into play.

Mix all of those ingredients together and you will end up with working memory that can be used to problem solve any given situation.

You can see how children who struggle with the underlying "ingredients" of attention, concentration, auditory processing, and visual processing will be challenged to pull that information into an unrelated event. The child with sensory processing disorder who is also struggling with social emotional issues might end up in meltdown mode. The child who can not generalize facts to a new environment might withdrawal.

Read more about attention and how to help kids improve attention with easy strategies for home and school.

All of these situations can potentially lead to difficulty with problem solving. Children are developmentally growing every day in relating past information. Yes, we say thank you EVERY time someone holds the door for us, not just that one time last week. By going through our day, kids learn these things!

The child who is struggling with any of the key ingredients related to working memory, it can be really hard to generalize.

How to Improve Working Memory

Try these working memory strategies to help improve this skill:

Daily Journal- The Impulse Control Journal is a great tool for keeping track of day to day events

Notebook with times for daily tasks

Second set of school books for home

White board notes to be used in tasks like cleaning a room

Guided imagery

Mental rehearsing

Imagine a task in pictures (like a cartoon strip of a day's event)

Analyzing problem areas

Practice through rehearsal

Reminder messages including verbal, picture, or app-based

Task sequencing lists

Stay tuned, because I have more working memory strategies and activities coming to the site, soon!

More tools for addressing attention needs in kids

There are so many strategies to address attention in kids and activities that can help address attention needs. One tactic that can be a big help is analyzing precursors to behaviors related to attention and addressing underlying needs. Here's what you can find in the
The Attention and Sensory Workbook can be a way to do just that.
The Attention and Sensory Workbook is a free printable resource for parents, teachers, and therapists. It is a printable workbook and includes so much information on the connection between attention and sensory needs.

Attention and Sensory Workbook:

Includes information on boosting attention through the senses

Discusses how sensory and learning are connected

Provides movement and sensory motor activity ideas

Includes workbook pages for creating movement and sensory strategies to improve attention

A little more about the Attention and Sensory Workbook:

Sensory processing is the ability to register, screen, organize, and interpret information from our senses and the environment. This process allows us to filter out some unnecessary information so that we can attend to what is important. Kids with sensory challenges often time have difficulty with attention as a result.
It's been found that there is a co-morbidity of 40-60% of ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder. This workbook is an actionable guide to help teachers, therapists, and parents to help kids boost attention and focus in the classroom by mastering sensory processing needs.
You will find information on the sensory system and how it impacts attention and learning. There are step-by-step strategies for improving focus, and sensory-based tips and tricks that will benefit the whole classroom.
The workbook provides tactics to address attention and sensory processing as a combined strategy and overall function. There are charts for activities, forms for assessment of impact, workbook pages for accommodations, and sensory strategy forms.

References: Gentry, T. (2015, September). Mobile technologies as vocational supports for

workers with cognitive-behavioral challenges. Technology Special Interest
Section Quarterly, 25(3), 1-4.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Improve Working Memory - The OT Toolbox

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Working memory is a skill we need for everything we do! From answering the phone to shopping at the grocery store; working memory is happening at every given moment. Kids who struggle with executive functioning skills often times have working memory challenges. Children with autism or sensory processing disorders likely have issues with working memory.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
"Here Comes a Thought" | Steven Universe | Cartoon Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.

It seemed easy enough as a child, but age lets us in on a secret: naming your emotions as you feel them can be seriously tricky.

We feel hot bursts of...something, and react accordingly.

We stomp our feet, lean in for a kiss, lash out, retreat, cry, make rash decisions-all driven by emotions we don't understand. We know that we're experiencing something, but we can't identify what it is until later, if at all.

If you've struggled with IDing your emotions, you're far from alone.

"(Identifying your emotions) sounds simple, but it's not," Amelia Aldao, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, tells Shine. "We see this time and again, that people are pretty bad at identifying how they're feeling."

Part of the problem, she explains, is that we're rarely feeling one emotion at once. "You feel happy, but a bit scared. Sad and also angry," she says. "It's not so simple to know what you're feeling."

It's not simple, but it is important.

Understanding what you're feeling at a given moment can help you to make better decisions, move through uncomfortable emotions, and prevent some of those bad feels in the future. "Having a good sense of what you're feeling needs to be the starting point," she says. "Otherwise, it's like playing a sport without knowing where the goal is."

Understanding what you're feeling at a given moment can help you move through uncomfortable emotions.

Humans have documented differences in their natural abilities to identify what they're feeling, which means IDing your emotions might be a breeze for you-but nearly impossible for your partner. Still, Aldao says, "everyone needs a bit of help, to take a step back and say, 'What are all the thoughts going through my head?'"

For guidance, look to this wheel.

Are you familiar with the #feelings wheel? This week's challenge: try a new way to describe how you're feeling - either based on this wheel or a word that comes to you because of it. pic.twitter.com/mK3FHvR1iI
- Stephanie Ghoston Paul (@CultivatedSense) July 21, 2019

Tweeted by Stephanie Ghoston Paul, it breaks down dozens of emotions you might be experiencing and helps you hone in on your feel du jour.

Here's how to make it work for you.

Pick an Emotion, Any Emotion

The next time you feel an emotion creeping over you, look at the options at the center of the wheel: fearful, angry, disgusted, sad, happy, surprised, bad.

Which seems to best encapsulate what you're experiencing at the moment?

It may-and likely will-be more than one (ever felt shocked by a friend's betrayal, angry at yourself for failing to see it coming, and sad at the loss of a friend-all at once?) so feel free to go down multiple paths.

Once you've settled on a chunk/emotion or two, look at the terms that come lumped with that umbrella emotion.

Say you've settled on "surprised." Are you excited or amazed? Or feeling more startled and confused? Again, there's often a mix of emotions, but pick the one that's coming through the strongest.

From there, each secondary emotion is split into two even more specific terms.

If you're excited, perhaps you're eager or energetic. Feeling startled? You might define your core feeling as shocked or dismayed.

Work your way from the obvious to the nuanced, landing on the emotion that best describes the feeling currently overtaking your body and mind.

Think About the Word(s) You've Identified

Now that you can describe what you're experiencing, really break it down.

What does that confusion feel like? Is it making your stomach turn or your fists clench? Is it leading to negative thoughts, urging you to pull back from the world or lash out at people you trust?

You might try journaling about it, or talking your feelings through with a friend.

Reframe the Situation

Once you understand what you're feeling, it's time to dig into why you're feeling that way-and how to change it.

"Say I'm angry at my friend but feeling a little sad-I can begin to think of this differently," Aldao says. If your pal kept you waiting for a dinner date, for example, "maybe they weren't trying to do something mean, they were late for another reason."

Naming your emotions removes some of that initial heat and lets you see things a little more rationally-and with more room for forgiveness.

Naming your emotions removes some of that initial heat and lets you see things a little more rationally-and with more room for forgiveness.

Plus, if you bring up what you're experiencing with your friend, you're more likely to make your point without letting your emotions get the better of you.

Accept Your Emotions

"Some emotions aren't pleasant, but we make it worse by trying to fight them off," Aldao says.

Whatever you're feeling, try to accept the emotion without judgment.

Feeling embarrassed by a recent outburst? Owning your feelings can help you move on-and stay in check the next time you're upset. If you're feeling dejected or overwhelmed by a work project, recognizing how you're feeling might make you more likely to ask for help.

Use Your Feels as a Motivator

Once you've thought through what you're feeling and why, use that intel to move forward. "Emotions can be a sign that we really care about things," Aldao says. "Maybe you're anxious about grad school or starting a new job, and you identify that you're nervous because it matters to you."

Instead of shutting down or avoiding whatever's causing those anxious feelings, she says, "(that awareness) helps you run to the emotion-to say, 'I'm going to do this because it's important to me.'"

It can work in the other direction, too-if you've been forcing something that just doesn't feel right, recognizing those feelings of frustration and disappointment can help you realize it's time to shut it down.

Make IDing Your Feelings a Habit

Want to get better about recognizing your emotions in real-time? "Practice" by setting a regular check-in with yourself.

You can log your mood daily in the Shine app, or with a nightly journaling session-whatever your preferred method, take time to notice how you're feeling and how you felt earlier in the day.

How did those emotions impact the decisions you made? The way your body felt?

As with anything else, says Aldao, it'll get easier the more work you put in. "It's like a sport," she says. "You have to practice!"
Main image via www.classtools.net
Read next: Why You Should Write Letters to Your Emotions-and How to Start

You're more than your stress and anxiety. Take back control using Shine's award-winning self-care program.

>

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Struggling to Name How You Feel? Try Using This Wheel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. It seemed easy enough as a child, but age lets us in on a secret: naming your emotions as you feel them can be seriously tricky. We feel hot bursts of...something, and react accordingly.