As the year winds down, our team at Executive Functioning Success takes time to reflect on the moments that shaped us: the challenges, wins, and “oh wow.” moments in between. It’s an important exercise that strengthens executive functions and provides direction for the future!
On a personal level, as the new owner of EFS, I have been thinking a lot about my key takeaways for the year. It feels important to share this information in a “practice what you preach” kind of way. Every day in our private and group Seeing My Time sessions, we talk about the importance of specifying what is going well and what we want to improve. So this is me, modeling what that looks like!
So, I sat down, pulled out my trusty Seeing My Time® Adult Planner System and jotted down some thoughts. Without further ado, here are my top ten key moments of 2025.
Making Space for Change and Giving Grace
1. The term “Executive Functioning Skills” is a very long phrase to type and takes longer to say. But since the folks at the Learning and the Brain Conference are using the term Executive Skills, I am confident in using the shorter version, too! (EFS will be attending the Learning and the Brain Executive Skills conference in 2026 in New York. We would love to know if you are going too!)
2. Running your own business is really about solving problems, every day, endlessly. Then going to bed and doing it again the next day.
3. Learning is hard. It always has been. This does not change when we step into roles where we’re expected to have all the answers.
Support is Everything
4. The support and warmth from our EFS community during my first year of ownership have been unexpected and wonderful. It has buoyed me through challenging moments and given me purpose and motivation.
5. More than ever, the Set Up Success® student planners are being used in colleges and schools. This is teaching us a lot about the need within higher education for a system that supports the brain and makes time visible.
6. Spending three days with the Executive Functioning Success team in Sequim, Washington during our annual EFS retreat was phenomenal. We accomplished so much!
Learning is Key
7. Teaching the Seeing My Time® curriculum to 6-8th graders at a Portland Public Middle School. (This was the hardest thing I did this year, and the most rewarding).
8. Attending Dr. Jared Horvath’s “From Theory to Practice” workshop at the Learning and the Brain conference in Santa Barbara last July. (Best workshop presenter and neuroscience translator I have met to date. Plus hanging out with the best teachers in the country… Awesome!)
9. Creating community partnerships, including Portland State University, Multnomah Village Business Association, Shadow Project, and the Blosser Center.
10. Witnessing the ‘aha’ moments from all of you, our incredible clients, groups and professionals. This is my true inspiration! It is an honor to support this community, and I appreciate each and every one of you!
Thank you for a wonderful year. Little by little, we are making a difference for people, schools, and families! It is because of you that we have been able to do that this year and will continue to do so next year.
Happy Holidays and Hugs,
