General EF Skills
Name two Executive Function Skills that we have discussed so far in LAUNCH.
Time Management, Organization, Planning/Prioritization, Communication/Self-Advocacy
Give one reason why time management is important.
- Increases productivity
- Reduces stress
- Gives order and structure to your days
- Allows you to plan ahead
- Be in charge of your own schedule!
Name two specific strategies that we have discussed in LAUNCH that can be used to keep track of the tasks you need to complete.
Physical Calendar
Digital Calendar
Todo App
Physical Planner
Whiteboard
Google Tasks
Name one reason why having a routine is important.
Helps to use your time more effectively
Focus on the important habits that need to be included in your daily schedule
Prevents decision fatigue when you pre-plan
Creation of good habits
Provides structure to your life
Name 3 independent living skills that are important for us to be in control of in our daily schedules.
When we go to sleep and wake up
Updating digital calendar/to-do lists with tasks for the week
Medicine management
Specified household chores
Cleaning up after ourselves
Getting out of the house
Eating meals
During the LAUNCH Family Meetings we talked about goal setting. What is one reason why goal setting is important?
Provides streamlined focus and intentionality
Guides daily action and enhances productivity
Boosts self-esteem
Increases commitment to accomplish what you set out to do
Emphasizes accountability
Being stressed out on a day-to-day basis means you are exhibiting good time management skills.
False!
How often should you review/update your organizational system (i.e. digital calendar, to-do/reminder apps) with new/upcoming information?
DAILY!
Reviewing & updating your organizational system should be built into your daily schedule/routine.
You can choose to do it at a specific time of day (i.e. morning or evening), but a REMINDER should be set up to cue this action until it becomes more routine.
True or False.
Pre-setting alarms/cues on your phone, calendar, todo app is not an effective way to establish & stick to a new routine.
False!!
True or False.
Executive Function Skills & Independent Living Skills are not a necessary part of life.
False!!
Thinking through your todo items for the week, making a list and/or updating your org system and setting due dates is an example of this executive function skill.
Planning!
Describe the importance of knowing your energy levels during the day when it comes to time management.
Helps you plan a realistic daily plan, not an ideal one
You will be more effective when tasks match your natural energy levels
Supports better planning and time management
Creates sustainable routines/habits
Reduces stress and burnout
Prioritize more challenging tasks when your energy levels are high; plan to complete “lower energy level” tasks during calmer times of the day
What is one digital organization tip we’ve talked about that can help keep your digital world organized?
Google Drive folders
Grouping Tabs
Digital Bookmarks
Give two specific examples that have been discussed for how to turn a routine into a habit.
Habit stacking
Determine effective cues/reminders
Create a routine checklist
Use habit tracking app
What are the benefits to developing your independent living skills?
Be able to manage daily responsibilities without reminders from others
Prepares you for the future when living alone
Increases self-confidence & self-esteem
Reduces reliance on others
What is the skill called when you share your daily plan with someone and give progress updates?
Accountability!
This tool uses a grid to help prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
Eisenhower Matrix
Name two factors that can have an impact on your productivity & energy levels. And how?
😴 Getting enough sleep
- Sleep affects focus, emotional regulation, and task initiation
🥗 Eating well-balanced meals
- Fuel matters —> low blood sugar = low focus and patience
⏸️ Taking breaks during the day
- Breaks prevent burnout and help reset attention
🧠💪 Mental & physical health
-Stress, anxiety, illness, or pain all use energy before tasks even start
🚧 Lapses in boundaries
- Overcommitting, constant notifications, or saying yes too often can drain energy fast
Name the 3 parts of the habit loop.
Cue, Action, Reward
Give two examples of how you can use self-advocacy skills in your daily life?
Talking to your doctor about your health needs/concerns
Asking for help from your support system
Requesting accommodations at school or work
Asking a professor for help on an assignment
Asking your supervisor a question about a work-related question
When did you recently use your communication + self-advocacy skills in LAUNCH?
And why is it important to continue to develop and use them?
In our LAUNCH Family Meetings!
To be able to communicate your needs on your own behalf
Not rely on others to explain how you feel or what you need to be successful
Puts you in the driver seat of your own life!
Explain why time management is a lifelong skill.
Can be utilized and implemented in whichever phase of life you are in!
Creates balance in life whether that may include school, work, social/personal life
Skill to effectively help you achieve your goals - and that will occur for your entire lives!
Give a definition and an example of task matching.
Aligning specific tasks/responsibilities with the time of day that is best suited to be completed, based on personal energy levels
Examples:
Scheduling “Admin” time to clean out email inbox in the evening when I may be feeling a bit more tired
Completing homework or a work project during the late morning/afternoon after I have eaten and am feeling more energized
Give one example of:
- A habit
- The cue
- The action
- The reward
- The habit it could be stacked with
Habit: Brush teeth every day
Cue: Taking a shower
Action: With toothbrush sitting right on vanity, brush teeth immediately after showering
Reward: Saving time, good hygiene
Habit Stacking: Stacked with finishing a shower (a stable daily habit)
Habit: Taking medication every day
Cue: Finishing lunch at 12:00 pm
Action: Take medication immediately after eating lunch since it is stored in the kitchen cabinet next to the fridge
Reward: Improved focus and productivity for the rest of the day
Habit stacking: Stacked with finishing lunch (a stable daily habit)
How will you know when a habit has turned into part of your daily routine?
The habit is intentionally completed & regularly performed with limited cues/reminders.