When you are recovering from a brain injury, simply trying to get through a daily task can feel like an absolute mountain to climb. Executive dysfunction can make it incredibly frustrating to finish what you start: you might find yourself losing your place mid-task, getting easily distracted, or completely forgetting what you were doing in the first place, leaving behind a trail of half-finished projects and not knowing how to continue.

In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden sits down for a full interview with Stacia Bissell and Katya Bowen to discuss the ins and outs of task completion after brain injury - and how you can map out a plan to get your focus back.

We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center all about some of the neurological and metabolic reasons behind executive dysfunction.

*Join the Maps for Task Completion Live Virtual Workshop - coming up on September 18 - register now! https://hopesurvives.org/maps-workshop

🧠 In this episode:

• Why a brain injury makes it incredibly difficult to stay organized, manage your time, and follow through on daily tasks.
• How to create your own “map” to finish your task.
• How setting a simple, repeating alarm can systematically interrupt distractions and pull your focus back to the job at hand.
• Importance of breaking the cycle of self-criticism and internal pressure, which actively drains the cognitive energy you desperately need to get things done.
• Encouragement to step forward into initiation when it can feel like a struggle to just start.

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Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

2:10 Welcome with Cristabelle

5:00 Executive Dysfunction - Spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe

8:45 Introducing Stacia & Katya

16:55 Task Completion

19:25 Creating Your Map

26:00 Setting Yourself Up for Success

34:35 Encouragement

36:25 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠