Peg Dawson and Richard Guare

Paperback 294 pages

Are you smart, scattered, and struggling? You're not alone. Cutting-edge research shows that today's 24/7 wired world and the growing demands of work and family life may simply max out the part of the brain that manages complex tasks. That's especially true for those lacking strong executive skills—the core brain-based abilities needed to maintain focus, meet deadlines, and stay cool under pressure. In this essential guide, leading experts Peg Dawson and Richard Guare help you map your own executive skills profile and take effective steps to boost your organizational skills, time management, emotional control, and nine other essential capacities. The book is packed with science-based strategies and concrete examples, plus downloadable practical tools for creating your own personalized action plan. Whether on the job or at home, you can get more done with less stress.

“Psychologists Peg Dawson and Richard Guare…apply their well-honed approach to assist adults with executive skill challenges….The book offers simple and effective strategies for maintaining focus, dealing with clutter, and getting through busy days of family life.”

—ADDitude


“Dawson and Guare, masters of executive skills, have provided a user-friendly, practical, and immensely valuable guide. This book is an instant classic.”

—Edward M. Hallowell, MD, coauthor of Driven to Distraction


“This isn’t just a good book, it's a great book! Chock full of highly useful recommendations and guided by science and practice, this book is rich with methods to help any adult overcome problems with time management, organization, self-control, and related skills.”

—Russell A. Barkley, PhD, ABPP, ABCN, author of Taking Charge of Adult ADHD


“This book addresses the exact issues I struggle with when I'm feeling scattered and not accomplishing my goals. It helped me evaluate my areas of weakness and gave me clear, simple suggestions to help me get past some of the frustrating challenges I've experienced my whole life. The authors' personal, accessible, supportive writing style kept me engaged and focused.”

—Sue V., Rochester, New York


“As someone who consistently struggles with time management and organization, I was so glad to come across this book. Between the step-by-step breakdown of issues and the real-life stories, I found it both helpful and entertaining. The interactive worksheets were really enlightening.”

—Cheryl T., Parsippany, New Jersey


“Wow, am I glad to have this in my toolbox! The authors deftly unfold a plan to lead with your strengths, manage your weaknesses, and improve the areas that matter most. It will help me work with clients to break down their major career moves into smaller, attainable goals. The Action Plan alone is a life changer.”

—DeAnne Pearson, MEd, ACC, owner and career coach, Deliberate Careers, LLC


“Drs. Dawson and Guare provide adults of all ages with practical, well-grounded advice for staying on top of today's busy lives. Each chapter combines just-right background material with ready-to-use tips and tools to put into practice immediately.”

—Joel T. Nigg, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University


“This is a terrific self-help book—one of the best I’ve seen—for helping individuals develop their executive skills. Chapters offer sound solutions and strategies, with lots of everyday examples. The authors have an impressive grasp of current brain science, and have translated it into language that is meaningful and easy to understand.”

—Mary V. Solanto, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell