Executive Functioning Success
Plan for your executive functions

Don’t Forget Fun!

A few months back I was presenting a lecture for ORBIDA, the Oregon Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, on the topic of executive functioning. I was providing an introduction to the subject and sharing some time tools to support those with learning disabilities.

I was surprised to see in the audience a mother who had just completed a Seeing My Time family group course across the river in Vancouver, Washington. At the end of the talk, she came up to say hello. I asked her if she’d found it worthwhile to drive all the way over to Portland for the talk. She smiled her beautiful smile and said, “Oh, yes! I realized that I’ve been forgetting to put down fun things to do on my dry erase board lists.”

Her comment reminded me of a very important point. To sustain good time management behaviors, like using the dry erase board, it is critical that you plan time to do fun things–things that are enjoyable and satisfying.

This is especially important for those with learning challenges. These students are working extra hard to be successful and need to know that the work done first creates the space for a reward of fun time. After all, all work and no play makes for a dull and frustrating life! Be sure to plan some fun in your days and weeks.

These pictures are from a fun Saturday afternoon at a fall apple festival with my daughter and husband. We discovered that incredible apple with a bright pink interior. The trip created warm memories too!

 

About the Author Marydee Sklar

Marydee Sklar is the president of Executive Functioning Success and the creator of the Seeing My Time Program® and the Set Up Success and Seeing My Time® planners. She is an educator and author of three books on executive functions, as well as a trainer and speaker. Marydee has more than twenty-five years of experience working with students and adults with executive function challenges.

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1 comment
latsamoht says October 19, 2011

Marydee, those apples have been our family’s most favorite for about 4 years now. The kids love eating them in their school lunches as they are such a great conversation piece.
Finding fun is what our weekends are all about. I just never considered those times to be so rejuvenating. We are also learning, that as the kids get older, planning ahead is a must in order to ensure the “fun” happens!

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