Executive Function Myths That Need to Go

"The tangling of who we are with our executive function is just one of the many myths that permeate our thinking and, unfortunately, really set us back. It's time to dispel the executive function falsehoods: Being late means you don't care."

"While I'm pleased to have strategies that help me show up consistently on time now, I also have a lot of compassion for my younger self. Being late never meant I [didn't care]. I had more than a few people tell me how frustrating my tardiness was, asking if I genuinely cared about them or the activity for which we were meeting."

Executive function is frequently misunderstood through harmful myths that conflate it with character and morality. Being late, disorganized, or struggling with time management does not indicate a lack of care or poor character. These challenges often stem from ineffective strategies rather than insufficient effort or moral failings. Society perpetuates the false belief that executive function deficits reflect personal irresponsibility or lack of commitment. Recognizing and dispelling these myths is essential for growth. Developing effective strategies and maintaining self-compassion when facing executive function challenges allows individuals to improve without shame or self-judgment.

Read at Psychology Today