Ways to improve executive functioning?

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Specially the ability to manipulate information in order to discover novel combinations in my mind to that might serve to answer questions.
For example, in maths questions. I know what to do, I understand the concept;however I find it very difficult to break it into steps.


How do I break information into steps in order to solve problems in my head ?

Should I think about the problem visually? It helps when I put maths into algebra because then I can see what I'm doing?

Any ideas on how to make executive functioning visual for me and to break problems into steps because I honestly can't do it.

I have an idea for you. Professional therapy. Much better than a internet forum for these tough to solve issues.

i dont know but if you find any tell me

Are you hoping to improve your executive function in maths or in life in general?

I have no idea if you already have experience with this -- but mind-mapping software programs might be helpful. They are just a way to break things down into very visual steps to make a project more do-able.

There's all sorts of information online about mind-mapping, and how it works. Check out www.inspiration.com for an example of software that we've used in our family for exactly this type of executive-functioning task.

Maths and any other topics at school.

I'd love to improve my ability to keep deadlines more easily (and with less stress), and to get the housework done before it becomes a major project.

Professional therapy isn't always available.

When it comes to keeping deadlines and being organised in general, I have found 'Getting Things Done', by Dave Allen very useful. It has freed me from the unimportant but necessary stuff and I'm concentrating more on work and study. I don't forget appointments/deadlines/bills so much. I'm still getting to grips with it, but then it took me a long time to get in such a disorganised mess! As for housework, some folk find flylady.net useful for that.

Now that I can spare the time for study, I too am using mind maps. I've put iMindmap on my smartphone but haven't used it much. More likely to scribble one on a scrap of paper! I also have found some of Edward De Bono's books useful. His ideas can help me see the larger picture.

If I had to express a blanket solution, in a single word, it would be to simplify. I think we probably have much more novelty than we need, to lead purposeful, fulfilled lives, in which we feel accomplished.

I have found that this one helps, immensely. I don't know whether you're more tactile or visual, but I am mainly referring to the idea of journaling, because it helps me to pace myself. Some things are embarrassing to write, but there is relief in articulating them, so that they can be acknowledged.

Seclusion can be impractical, but earplugs have proven to be useful, as well as having ordered surroundings. Some of this might involve literally covering things, in my case, as this helps me to forget them.

I am much delayed in processing sensory and emotional information and am finding it valuable to remove myself from aggravating influences, some of whom are the sort of people who can debase the simplest of assumptions. Probably because they are so conflicted, they won't find a rut. Wherever they go, chaos follows.

The effect of separation is not immediate, but re-lived irritations do taper off, given enough time.

Self care can help. Some of these issues might seem to nag, unnamed, from the backburner, but the rhythm of habits lends to a feeling of order, which helps me to concentrate. Some people might call it the daily ritual, but you might do something, every week or month. I feel that it helps to serve as a sort of temporal milestone, by which I gauge my life.

I don't know if this will help or not, but it's worth a try. Have you ever learned how to make flow charts? It's something I learned when I took BASIC computer programming classes, way back when, but it also was required much later when I was in management and had to breakdown processes for upper management.

There's a starting point and a stopping point, and each step in between is one of a few possible functions, such as yes or no, information coming in, information coming out, etc. I'm not sure how you would adapt them for math problems, I've never tried that - and I hate math. But they were so helpful in checking to see if a simple program would work, and in reviewing our processes, and I've even used them at home to help me with complex projects. I even keep one of these on hand to help me draw them. (There are computer programs that help draw them too, but with a plastic template, pencil and paper I can do it quickly, anywhere.)

This Wikipedia page on flow charts does show one image that appears to be used for a math problem: Flowchart

In fact, writing this post just helped me recall something else that I can use a flow chart for.

meditation. straight up.