“Bee” Busy Doing the Right Things
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
I find it interesting that some people can appear super busy, yet don’t necessarily accomplish very much. How is that possible, when
others can drive home task after task, project after project. I believe it is because they spend their time on low-value tasks and procrastinate on the high-value activities that need attention. So they look busy, and truly are, yet they are busy doing the wrong stuff and unfortunately not getting the results they desire. If we don’t manage our time, other people will, and we will end up stealing it from our spouses, our children and even ourselves. So how we spend our time is an extension of our values. It is important!
When you think of someone who consistently accomplishes a lot, what traits come to mind?
- Inclusive, collaborative
- Pleasant, friendly
- Approachable
- Delegates well
- Easy to get along with
- Positive, laughs, has fun
- ppreciates and rewards others
- Accountable
- Has integrity
- Does what he/she says they will do; self-disciplined
- Very organized
None of the traits mentioned include a magic pill; it is simply about clearly knowing what you need to do AND then doing it.
Complete this statement in your head…”I wish I had time to…” For me the answers are, “scrapbook, play a game with my kids, enjoy date night with my hubby.” What are these things worth to me? What is the pay-off? If I stay disciplined, then I’ll get to do these things. If I utilize my time better, this is my reward.
Don’t let procrastination get in the way of staying disciplined. After all, procrastination is not a character flaw…it’s a bad habit! Instead of giving into excuses, like I used to do much more years ago, consider the metaphor so famously aligned with the insect many of us try hard
to evade. Bees don’t know how to procrastinate and likely don’t get side-tracked very often. They just know how to work hard, and harder, and even harder yet, doing the right things…hence, the phrase, “busy as a bee.”
The Magical Road to Sweet Surprises
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
Successful individuals are often described as those who can delay instant gratification and make sacrifices in the short term so that they can enjoy far greater rewards in the long term.
In contrast, those who think more about short term pleasure and immediate gratification with little thought given to long term planning, are often associated with far less success throughout their life.
Just like kids want to make it to Cupcake Commons or the Chunky Chocolate Mountains in the classic CANDY LAND® game, make your way to the castle and reap your reward of success through planning, preparation and foregoing instantaneous gratification.
This road may not be magical, but it will be sweet.
Five Questions to Ask Yourself
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
If you want to change some habits you’ve fallen into, as it relates to how you spend your time, here are five key questions you should consider asking yourself. When you answer them truthfully, it will help you more clearly manage your time.
1. What is the most important thing you did yesterday?
2. What will you ensure you will accomplish tomorrow?
3. If your supervisor gave you a paid day off, how would you spend it?
4. If you were given one month paid leave from work, how would you use this time?
5. How does what you do with your time, rather than what you want to do, reflect what is most important to you?
If we don’t manage our time, other people will for us, and we will end up stealing it from our spouses, our children and even ourselves.
