Editor’s note: Up to now, Natalya Lucas has authored the blog posts on the Teen Exec website. I’m inviting my dad, Jeff Lucas, to contribute periodically as a guest writer, sharing some of the marketing principles he teaches to college students and showing how they can be applied by teens.

If you’re like me, time can feel flexible, maybe even limitless. I’ve got classes, extracurriculars, friends, other commitments outside of school, and sometimes it feels like I could say yes to all of it. But here’s the truth: even though it doesn’t always feel that way, your time is limited.

Lately I’ve been reading Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens, Ages 13–18 by A. E. Nicholls. One exercise that jumped out at me is the Cognitive Flexibility Challenge: Perspective Shift Puzzle. The idea is simple but powerful: when you hit a stressful situation, don’t lock into the first explanation your brain gives you.

Launching the very first episode of the Teen Exec Podcast was one of the most eye-opening and challenging projects I’ve ever taken on. Looking back, I realize just how many executive functioning (EF) skills it took to bring the episode to life. From planning and organizing to time management and flexibility,

Most schools today use a Student Information System (SIS), a digital platform that shows grades, attendance, schedules, and assignments. When I first starting using one, I thought of it as nothing more than a grade-checker. But over time, I realized these systems can actually do a lot more. This year my

If you’ve been following along with the Teen Exec blog, you already know we talk a lot about executive functioning (EF) skills, things like time management, staying focused, getting organized, and following through. We’ve shared tips to make the school year feel more manageable, suggested ways to take on leadership

The start of a new school year always feels like a fresh page: new classes, new notebooks, new routines. But if you’re stepping into a role as a class officer, club president, or team captain, it’s more than that. It’s the beginning of your leadership season. I’m still figuring out

When the school year starts—with classes, sports, clubs, friends, and homework—it’s easy to feel pulled in every direction. I’ve found that starting the year with a few clear strategies helps me feel more in control and less overwhelmed. A lot of what I’ve learned about building strong habits comes from