Why Am I Struggling to Get Things Done? Understanding Executive Functioning—and How Coaching Can Help

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Have you ever looked at your to-do list and felt like your brain just short-circuited? You know what needs to get done—but somehow, the day slips away, and the list remains untouched. Maybe it’s missed deadlines, running late (again), or realizing you’ve been so locked in on one task that suddenly it’s three hours later and everything else has fallen by the wayside. Or maybe it’s the opposite: just thinking about your to-do list gives you a pit in your stomach, and you don’t even know where to start. That constant, gnawing feeling of falling behind—no matter how hard you try—is exhausting.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not lazy or broken. You may be struggling with executive functioning—a set of mental skills that help us stay organized, manage time, regulate emotions, and follow through on our intentions. And the good news? These are skills that can be strengthened with support, insight, and the right tools.

What Is Executive Functioning, Really?

Think of executive functioning as the internal management system of your brain. It includes abilities like:

  • Planning and organizing

  • Time management

  • Working memory

  • Emotion regulation

  • Task initiation and follow-through

  • Impulse control

When these skills aren’t working smoothly, everyday tasks can feel like uphill battles. You might procrastinate even when you care deeply about your goals. You might overcommit, underdeliver, or feel paralyzed by the pressure to “do it right.” Over time, these patterns can take a toll on your confidence, relationships, and sense of identity.

Why It’s Not Just About Productivity

Executive functioning difficulties aren’t just logistical—they’re emotional. Struggles with planning or follow-through can stir up shame, self-doubt, or the fear of being “too much” or “not enough.” For some, these challenges have been lifelong. For others, they show up suddenly in the face of stress, burnout, anxiety, or life transitions.

That’s why our approach to executive functioning coaching is holistic. At Therapists of New York, we don’t just hand you a calendar and tell you to get more disciplined. We explore the underlying emotional dynamics that may be fueling the overwhelm—like perfectionism, fear of failure, or a deep ambivalence about success.

What Executive Functioning Coaching Looks Like

Executive functioning coaching is collaborative, nonjudgmental, and tailored to you. It’s not about fitting yourself into a rigid system—it’s about creating systems that work with your brain, not against it.

Together with your clinician, you’ll:

  • Clarify the specific areas where you’re stuck

  • Understand how stress, anxiety, or past experiences may be affecting your focus and motivation

  • Develop realistic strategies for organization, time management, and follow-through

  • Build momentum and accountability in a way that feels supportive, not stressful

We also recognize the frequent overlap between executive functioning challenges and conditions like ADHD, anxiety, or burnout. Our work integrates both the practical and emotional aspects of change.

Progress Over Perfection

Executive functioning coaching isn’t about becoming a productivity machine. It’s about helping you feel more in control, more aligned with your values, and more equipped to navigate life on your own terms.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. With curiosity, compassion, and the right tools, meaningful change is possible.

Want to learn more or schedule a consultation? Click here to connect with one of our executive functioning specialists.