“Why Can’t You Just Focus?” – The Hidden Struggles of Executive Functioning

Imagine waking up and knowing what you need to do…
…but somehow, your brain won’t let you start.

You’re not lazy. You’re not unmotivated. You’re stuck.

This is the reality for people with executive functioning challenges — especially those with ADHD.

What is Executive Functioning?
It’s the brain’s control centre: planning, organising, remembering, regulating emotions, starting and finishing tasks.

Think of it like an air traffic controller. When it’s working well, everything flows. When it’s not — chaos.

And here’s something important: executive functioning is not about intelligence.
You can be incredibly bright and still struggle to manage daily tasks. It’s not a lack of ability — it’s a barrier in how the brain organises and acts.

The Impact
Children and adults with ADHD experience an average 30% delay in executive functioning.

That means a 10-year-old may function like a 7-year-old emotionally and organisationally.

People with executive dysfunction are not failing to try. They’re trying to function with a brain that’s not built for the world’s expectations.


Real-Life Moments:
• A child melts down over getting dressed — not because they’re defiant, but because sequencing tasks is overwhelming.
• A teenager appears “lazy” about homework — in truth, they don’t know how to begin, prioritise, or manage the overwhelm.
• An adult misses appointments and deadlines — and silently battles shame, anxiety, and burnout.
• An 11-year-old starting senior school is expected to manage multiple classrooms, homework schedules, uniform prep, and social pressures — yet they may still function emotionally like a much younger child. The change can be terrifying and destabilising without the right support. And for some, this is when things start to go wrong.

Let’s Shift the Narrative
Instead of “Why can’t they just do it?” try:
• “What support do they need to succeed?”
•“What barriers can we remove?”
• “How can I lead with patience, not punishment?”


Learn more. Share this. Follow. Talk to your child’s teacher. Advocate in your workplace. Show empathy. Be part of the change.

Because executive dysfunction isn’t a choice — but understanding is.