Struggling with task initiation and overwhelm

A neurodivergent employee works in a busy office environment.  One morning, their manager quickly briefs them on a new task, but they do not fully understand the instructions.  

With Brain in Hand

Using their solution pack, they already had pre-written phrases to help ask for clarity, such as “Can I double-check what you’d like included in the summary?” or “Could you show me an example?” After the meeting, they used one of these scripts to ask their manager for more detail, which immediately reduced their confusion. 

Next, they used their task management strategy to break the task into small, clear steps: 

1. Open the spreadsheet

2. Copy client data into the right columns 

3. Write three key points for the summary

4. Check for errors

5. Send the email 

Seeing the steps written down helped reduce overwhelm and made it easier to begin. 

The result

By using Brain in Hand, the employee was able to clarify expectations, manage stress, and complete the task on time. They felt more in control, less anxious, and more confident tackling similar work in future. Their manager also noticed clearer communication and improved task completion.