You’re Not Lazy — It’s Executive Dysfunction (and Here’s What That Means)

I used to think I was just lazy.

I’d open my laptop to start a school project, stare at the blank screen for 20 minutes, scroll Instagram for 40 more, feel guilty, slam the laptop shut, and tell myself I will do it “tomorrow for sure.” Tomorrow would come… and repeat. Classic procrastination loop. And all I could think was: Why am I like this?

Here’s the plot twist: it’s not laziness. It’s something deeper called executive dysfunction.

Let me explain. Your brain has this amazing manager called the prefrontal cortex, it handles all your planning, prioritizing, decision-making, and motivation. Psychologists call these skills executive functions. They are like the “CEO” of your mind. And when your executive functioning is struggling (because of stress, anxiety, ADHD, burnout, or even emotional overwhelm), the CEO kind of… goes on vacation.

So instead of tackling the task, your brain goes: That’s too much. And hits pause. You want to start, but can not. You know the deadline is real, but your body feels like it’s moving through glue. That’s not laziness, it is a disconnection between intention and action.

I once had an assignment I was genuinely excited about. Like, I picked the topic myself. But still, I could not start. I would set up my desk, open my notes, then suddenly feel the urge to clean my room, rearrange my books, or watch productivity YouTube videos. (Irony? I know.)

It felt like a mental traffic jam- too many tabs open, nothing loading properly.

So what helps?

• Chunk it down. Executive dysfunction hates vague goals. Instead of “finish project,” try “write intro paragraph before lunch.” Small wins.

• Use a body double. I call a friend and keep the camera on while we both work silently. Just having someone there tricks your brain into focusing.

• Don’t wait to “feel ready.” Motivation comes after starting, not before. Sometimes I literally whisper, “Just open the doc” to myself. That’s the hardest part.

• Be kind. Shame makes it worse. Tell yourself, “My brain’s overwhelmed. I’m not broken. I need a plan.”

The truth? So many teens silently battle executive dysfunction but call themselves lazy, unmotivated, or undisciplined. But the science says otherwise: your brain is just asking for structure, support, and gentleness, not more pressure.

So next time you’re stuck staring at a blinking cursor, don’t beat yourself up. The CEO might be on break — but you can still get things done, one tiny step at a time.