What is Executive Functioning?

 Executive function and self-regulation skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. Just as an air traffic control system at a busy airport safely manages the arrivals and departures of many aircraft on multiple runways, the brain needs this skill set to filter distractions, prioritize tasks, set and achieve goals, and control impulses.  Here are some examples:

Emotional Control
The ability to think before acting.  
Impulse Control
The ability to regulate emotions so they are not overwhelmed or 'hijacked' by them.
Working Memory
The ability to be able to retain and recall information.
Flexible Thinking
The ability to be able to think from another person's perspective. 
Planning and Prioritising
The ability to be able to set future goals and ambitions and how to go about meeting them.
Self Monitoring
The ability to deal with negative feedback, critical comments etc.
Organisation
The ability to keep things in order.
Task Initiation
The ability to be able to evaluate situations and take appropriate action.