Bee Timely, Part II - Time Management tips for Busy Bees with a 'talkative brain'

---

Following on from Bee Timely Blog Post Part I from last December, it is time to tackle talkative brains, lists and we will touch on perfectionism (the mother of procrastination) and how the Busy Bees can  manage time better and shut that brain up so you can get some sleep.
​Sometimes it's the simple solutions!

---

​Speaking of 'simple'.... On the back of my magnetic shopping list, I noticed that it read the following;

'the most successful people in the world write lists'

I have been a list writer in the past however now I understand so much better, the importance of becoming a list writer in relation to good time management and getting a better night's sleep...

---

I have had issues in the past not being able to sleep. Being a creative busy bee, my mind is often alive with thoughts, ideas, things I have to do, stuff I need to remember... now instead of laying there with my brain a-buzz....I write it down...anywhere...I use my iphone notes and I also have a retro option....a notepad and pen. During the day, if something pops into my brain and its something I can't action at that time, I tap it out into my favourite online tool...there are so many apps and programs to help track reminders! Always integrate your reminders and lists.

do it a few times you will be synchronising in stealth mode in no time!

Keep your lists synced on all of your devices so they are available to access or add to, no matter where you are. Practice this and you will be able to do this quickly...it seems clunky at first but once you do it a few times you will be synchronising in stealth mode in no time!
Read about some great tools and apps by Lifehack (link at the end of this post). 

This list making and tracking practice will aid in better sleep at night as your subconscious (hopefully) will be able to rest knowing you made a list and can think about it to action tomorrow and relax knowing that you won't forget.

try putting the contents of your subconscious... in writing

Often the subconscious is our minds way of staying alert because we are concerned we will forget to action the specific task that is rolling around in our heads...for me its usually a lot of things rolling around bumping into each other as I toss and turn. Write it down..get it out of your head as best you can.

​For the creative types, those spontaneous creative ideas can also pop into your mind at some ungodly hour so keep a note pad and pen by your bed or tap it into your iPhone notes and then be done with it.  Go back to sleep.

Here's a List I prepared earlier

• Check your surroundings. Is your environment aiding your focus and productivity?
• 'Bee' practical and flexible in your plan and your approach, don't bite off more than you can chew.
• Have a plan. Identify and set goals (short and long term). Write it down.
• Don't procrastinate over stuff you really need to do. Do it now, sometimes 'later' becomes 'never'. If it is important and you can get it done quickly, just do it. If it is a big project, break it down into smaller tasks.
• Prioritise - monitor the tasks, keep them in check. Tackle the big projects first.
• 'Bee' Focused - improve quality of work by ensuring you are focused and minimise distractions.
• Say No. Know your boundaries and limitations. Most of the time the busy are the givers, they are the 'get things done' types and they are usually the ones that get lumped with doing everything. People go to the 'go to person' because they know it will get done. But if you are that person, be careful not to get too overloaded.
• Don't double handle. Handle tasks once, like emails - if you open it and it can be dealt with quickly, do it! BAM...don't close it then visit it again later. You have already spent time reading some of it, don't waste time by reading it twice necessarily. Deal with it... get it off the to do list right there and then.
• Expect the unexpected. This is where your planning will pay off. If you have a project or task, you have already put some things in place, made a start on it, then if the unexpected hits, you won't be as stressed  because you have already made some headway.
• Outsource and delegate whenever you can. Don't try to be super human, you are setting yourself up to fail if you over commit.
• Don't feel guilty if you end up with spare time. Use it wisely.

---

​Habitually schedule in some 'down time'

​Sometimes you get so accustomed to being busy all of the time that you don't know what to do with yourself when you have some spare time. 
Note to Self....Smell the roses. Don't be hard on yourself if you indulge in a little time wasting exercises every now and then..down time is just as important as productivity.
Refuel, re-energise...fill the tank.

---

"Perfectionism or procrastination mechanism"

---

'Bee' self aware when it comes to these habits. They say perfectionism is often a symptom for procrastination.  ​This area is always going to be a challenge for the busy bees so we will get more into this later in the series....I promise I won't procrastinate (much) getting that Blog posted!

---

---

​It is impossible to be perfect ...
​we are not machines.

​I have worked in environments with high volume, fast paced and high demands on your time, energy and emotions  at times for unrelenting periods of time. This pressure stretches you to a point that you think you might snap. I learnt that taking time out to breathe was key in staying sane and manageable.  'Breathe' meaning do what you need to do, to de-stress in that moment or on that day or in that week or month. 
​What helps you unwind, de-stress and feel human again?
​Work out what it means for you personally to 'refuel' and do it.

---

 Top 15 Time Management Apps and Tools at Lifehack by Kirstin O'Donovan.

---

'Busy is a drug, a lot of people are addicted to' ....
​Part III coming soon!

---

If you are finding that your work load is weighing you down, write a 'list' of tasks you would love to offload, email me or enter this wishlist in my contact form here, I will get back to you with some ideas on how I can help you manage your tasks and best balance your time so you can focus on other priorities. No matter where you are, thanks to the virtual environment we can work together!

---

Feel free to leave a comment below, Follow Bee's Blog on Pinterest (direct Pin blog post from any image on this page) Like it on Facebook, follow me on Twitter or Instagram.