Beat burnout and reclaim your time and energy
Today is your day to empower yourself with the executive function skills to stop fighting your brain…and start working with it.
Based in lovely Madison, WI and available nationwide
Executive Function Coaching & Burnout Prevention for Busy Working Women
If you're a high achieving professional woman or working mom who struggles with focus, overwhelm, and getting things done, you're in the right place. Empowered Focus specializes in executive function skill coaching and burnout prevention tailored for professional women who are killing it at work, but feeling lost in daily life.
Ever feel like you don’t really understand your brain?
On the outside, you’re holding it all together- at work, maybe even at home too. But inside, it feels like:
You’re always behind
Forgetful at the worst times
Running on empty
Constantly overwhelmed
Like you’re on an express train to burnout. Your body feels off. You’re more emotional than you used to be. No matter how hard you try, it feels impossible to get on steady ground.
And the most frustrating part? You’ve tried the strategies, but nothing seems to stick. You know what you’re doing now isn’t working- but you don’t know where to turn next.
That’s why you’re here.
It’s time to strengthen your executive function skills and get your inner CEO working for you, not against you.
Hi! I’m Dr. Liz- a psychologist, adult educator, and coach specializing in burnout prevention and executive function skill coaching for busy working women.
I share practical, actionable ideas that help you transform overwhelm into clarity and confidence- while balancing the demands of work, family, and (yes!) time for yourself.
With years of real world experience, I know what really helps when it comes to building skills that last and keeping burnout at bay.
And along the way? We’ll make sure it feels a little lighter, a little easier…and hopefully have some fun while we’re at it.
What are Executive Function Skills?
I’m so glad you asked!
Executive function skills (or sometime just call executive skills) are the brain-based skills everyone needs to get things done. They are NOT the same as intelligence.
There are lots of definitions out there, but when I talk about executive function skills, I like to use the model from Dawson and Guare, the minds behind the Smart But Scattered books. These skills are mostly directed by your prefrontal cortex (the part of your brain behind your forehead), which is essentially the “CEO” of your brain.
Everyone has their own strengths and areas to grow when it comes to executive function skills—whether you have ADHD or not. No labels are needed to benefit from strengthening these skills and seeing real, positive changes in your life.
Here are the 11 key executive skills as identified by Dawson and Guare:
Response Inhibition: Being able to think before you act
Working Memory: Being able to hold onto information in order to perform tasks- like your kitchen counter or workspace in your brain
Emotional Control: Being able to manage your emotions so that you can get things done, like meeting goals
Flexibility: Being able to change your plans or approach when unexpected things occur, such as when facing mistakes or obstacles
Sustained Attention: Being able to really hone in and focus on a task, even if it’s boring, you’re tired, or you’re distracted.
Task Initiation: Being able to start tasks without too much difficulty- essentially the opposite of procrastination
Planning/Prioritizing: Being able to come up with a plan of how to complete a task and deciding what parts are important or not important
Goal-Directed Persistence: Being able to identify a goal and keep working towards it until you reach it without being too distracted
Metacognition: Being able to be a fly on the wall in a situation and observe yourself, including self-monitoring and self-evaluation.
Organization: Being able to create and maintain systems to keep track of materials and information.
Stress Tolerance: Being able to manage frustration and regulate emotions effectively when faced with challenges, pressure, or setbacks.
Let’s be honest…that definition of executive function skills? Pretty clinical.
Accurate, absolutely- but also a little bland. Like eating unsalted almonds (which of course I eat because…midlife mama over here).
So what if we thought about those skills as people we actually know from the corporate world instead?
What if we made those definitions come alive? Let’s have a little fun with this- life doesn’t always have to be so serious.
And as someone who grew up with Office Space and The Office, I can’t resist an office metaphor…
So let’s imagine your brain as an office.
Each executive function skill is like a teammate with a specific role. When they work well together, things run smoothly. When they don’t…well, you know that goes.
And honestly? Thinking about it this way makes it a lot more fun (and way easier to understand).
Welcome to your brain’s very own office:
PF Cortex Consulting
Meet the PF Cortex Consulting Team
Each of the team members below represents an executive function, all led by your CEO, the prefrontal cortex. When they’re on-task, life runs smoothly. But if someone takes PTO…
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Patricia Foster Coolidge
CEO (aka Prefrontal Cortex)
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Richard Irwin
HR Director (aka Response Inhibition)
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Wendy Malone
Executive Assistant (aka Working Memory)
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Emma Connor
Office Manager (aka Emotional Control)
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Florence Jones
PR Director (aka Flexibility)
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Sam Anderson
Director of Security (aka Sustained Attention)
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Tom Indlund
IT Director (aka Task Initiation)
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Penelope Pastor
Project Manager (aka Planning/Prioritizing)
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Gina Dawson
Sales Director (aka Goal-Directed Persistence)
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Madeline Montgomery
Quality Assurance Manager (aka Metacognition)
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Olivia O'Connell
Records Manager (aka Organization)
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Sydney Thompson
Customer Services Manager (aka Stress Tolerance)
You deserve to thrive, not just survive
Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual (wouldn’t that be nice?). And when executive function challenges are part of your daily routine, it’s even easier to find yourself standing at the edge of burnout.
Have a “traditional” (40 hours per week +) job and a mom (24 hours/7days per week)? That’s basically way more than two full time jobs. No wonder it feels overwhelming.
Executive function struggles can show up everywhere: at work, at home, in the little daily details that keep piling up. Suddenly it feels like you’re drowning, even though you’re working harder than ever. The truth is, it’s not about trying more—it’s about finding systems that actually work for your brain so you can feel steady and confident as you move through your day.
And here’s the best part: you don’t need a diagnosis to benefit from this work. Yes, executive function challenges are common with ADHD and neurodivergence—but these skills matter for anyone who’s juggling big responsibilities and feeling stretched thin. Labels welcome, but not required.
You already have the intelligence, creativity, and drive to thrive in your career and your life. What you need are structures that make the basics easier—so your energy can go toward the things you really care about. Together, we’ll build those systems and stop burnout before it sneaks in.
So what does that look like in real life?
Let’s talk about how I can help.
How I can help
Here’s the thing: you already have the strengths you need to thrive.
Sometimes they’re just buried under stress, self-doubt, or systems that don’t fit your brain.
My role? To help you uncover those strengths and put them to work front and center.
So how do we make that happen?
I offer:
Practical, evidence-based strategies designed around you—to strengthen executive function skills, shift your mindset, and build real confidence.
Community-based courses where we roll up our sleeves and do the hard work together (because you don’t have to figure this out alone).
Flexible coaching and training options—built to fit your schedule, not compete with it
Consulting and workshops that bring these same tools into your actual workplace, so your real office runs as smoothly as your brain office.
Work with me
Onsite or Virtual Workshops
In order to help an individual, it often works best to address the entire system. I love working with teams and doing workshops at businesses and schools.
I offer interactive and engaging workshops. No “sage on the stage” lectures here.
Virtual options are available nationwide. Local options are available onsite if your business or school is in the greater Madison, WI area.
Lattes with Liz Productivity Sessions
Need a group of folks to join online weekly to get stuff done? Grab your coffee and join me for weekly a facilitated independent work session. Affordable and dependable- there’s no reason to work alone.
Online Learning and Community
Want to sit back and relax with a cozy drink and your computer while learning strategies on your own time? And then meet up for feedback, goal setting, and accountability? Plus connect with other lovely ladies who are in the same boat as you? Then my online community might be the place for you.
FAQs
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Empowered Focus helps busy working moms and professionals strengthen their executive function skills: things like planning, organization, time management, and stress tolerance. Instead of traditional 1:1 coaching (although we do that from time to time, so contact us if that’s what you’re looking for), we provide practical, research-backed tools you can access on your own time, plus opportunities to connect in courses and workshops.
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Downloadable tools & guides designed to help you reset routines, reduce mental load, and manage daily overwhelm.
The Empowered Focus Newsletter, which delivers actionable executive function strategies directly to your inbox.
Online courses with group coaching elements, where you can learn skills alongside others and get live guidance.
Workshops for businesses & organizations on executive function, stress management, and productivity.
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Our tools are created for high-achieving working moms and professionals who feel stretched thin. If you’re juggling career, family, and personal responsibilities and often feel scattered, stuck, or burned out - Empowered Focus was built with you in mind.
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Each resource is designed to target specific executive function challenges:
Planning & prioritizing : reset routines and task management systems
Time management: practical ways to fit priorities into a busy schedule
Stress tolerance: strategies to reduce burnout and manage the mental load
Organization & follow-through: tools for getting unstuck and following through on commitments
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No. While some clients have ADHD, many are simply overwhelmed by the pace of modern life. Executive function skills benefit anyone who wants to feel more focused, intentional, and balanced.
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Our courses and downloads are educational and skills-based. They are not therapy and do not replace medical or mental health treatment. Instead, they focus on practical strategies you can immediately apply to your daily routines.
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Start with a downloadable tool or guide if you want something quick and actionable.
Join the newsletter if you prefer small, consistent strategies over time.
Enroll in the online course if you want deeper skill-building with the option for group coaching support.
Book a workshop for your team if you want organizational-level support.
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Yes! You can sign up for our free newsletter and explore free guides that give you a taste of the Empowered Focus approach.
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Absolutely. All digital products and courses are accessible online, no matter where you’re located. If you’re a business looking for an onsite workshop, message me and we can talk about traveling to you. I love a great excuse for a trip!
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Browse our resources, download a guide, or sign up for the newsletter. If you’re interested in workshops or courses, you can view upcoming offerings or contact us for more information.
I support women and teams who are ready to stop drowning in overwhelm and start working with their brains, not against them.
Working moms juggling career and family. Just had a baby and trying to move your career forward? Or maybe you’ve got a house full of teenagers keeping your nervous system on high alert while you run the show at work. Either way—you don’t have to white-knuckle it. I can help you feel more confident while spinning all those plates.
Midlife moms in the sandwich generation. Caring for kids and aging parents—while also managing a demanding career? That’s a lot (understatement of the year). You’ve worked so hard to get here. Let’s build systems to help you get it all done—or even better, decide what you can finally let go of.
Women with known executive function challenges. Maybe you have an ADHD diagnosis, maybe you’re pretty sure you do, or maybe you just know that life feels harder than it should. Either way, we’ll focus less on labels and more on strategies that actually work.
And it’s not just individuals—I also love working with corporate and school teams.
Bring me into your workplace to make executive function skills practical, understandable, and actionable—so your whole team can feel less stressed, more productive, and yes, even happier. And if you’re in the Madison, WI area, I’d love to come out in person.
Here’s what some of past workshop participants had to say:
Let’s be clear here…this isn’t just about building skills.
We’ll also focus on shifting your mindset so you truly believe in the growth you’re capable of.
And we’ll build the kind of confidence that helps you thrive as both a mother and a professional. Say goodbye to that bully “imposter syndrome”—he’s not invited to this party anymore.
Preventing burnout takes a full-picture approach: noticing what you really need and giving yourself permission to honor it..
Still not sure where to start?
Curious about my individualized training and consulting services for your workplace or school? In the greater Madison, WI area? I’d love to come out to your workplace.
Not sure if I can help? Reach out on my contact page. I love to chat (I am a psychologist after all…)!