Lately, I’ve been thinking about the way I organize my life. Or rather, the way I attempt to organize it. Some days, I feel like I have everything under control—tasks planned, schedules set, priorities clear.
Other days? Chaos. Absolute chaos. I have sticky notes everywhere, notebooks filled with half-finished ideas, and an ever-growing digital to-do list that I conveniently ignore.
I watched High Potential. It is a crime drama about a woman with exceptional memory and problem-solving skills. I wasn’t expecting to have an existential moment.
There was this scene where the lead actress categorized people’s organizational styles. She used insect analogies such as bees, butterflies, crickets, bugs, and more. It was a passing moment, but my brain latched onto it like a stubborn pop song chorus.
Why insects? Why not animals in general? Or elements? Or celestial bodies? But then I thought about it—insects are everywhere. They exist in every environment, adapting to every condition, just like humans. Some are highly structured, like bees; others seem to flutter aimlessly, like butterflies but have their own logic.
This got me spiralling into research mode because of course, I had to know more. Were these insect categories something people actually studied? Or was this just a creative metaphor? And what does it say about me and the way I approach work, life, and deadlines?
So, after an afternoon of falling down the rabbit hole (or should I say the ant colony?), I found—the different ways people organize their lives, work, and thoughts, all through the lens of the insect world.
1. The Bee (The Systematic Organizer)
Bees are nature’s ultimate planners. They work in structured environments, follow clear hierarchies, and function best with a defined process. Everything has a purpose in a bee’s world, and efficiency is the name of the game.
If you’re a Bee, you likely:
✔ Love schedules, to-do lists, and well-defined workflows.
✔ Thrive in structured systems like bullet journaling or project management tools.
✔ Prefer order and consistency over spontaneity.
My Thoughts on This:
I want to be a Bee at all times. I have the notebooks. I’ve tried digital planners. I admire people who religiously track habits and set a 90-day goal. But I always fall off the wagon in my life yet i never had that problem at work. Maybe Bees are built differently—maybe they actually get satisfaction from checking boxes instead of, like me, getting tired of seeing the same list every day.
Strengths:
- Highly efficient and reliable.
- Can manage large projects with ease.
- Thrives in collaborative, process-driven environments.
Challenges:
- Can be too rigid and struggle with adapting to change.
- Over-reliance on structure may lead to anxiety if things go off track.
Books to Read: Getting Things Done by David Allen, Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Research: Kirton, M. (1976). Adaptors and innovators: A description and measure. Journal of Applied Psychology, 61(5), 622–629.
2. The Butterfly (The Free-Spirited Organizer)
Butterflies are colourful, creative, and ever-moving. They don’t stay in one place for too long, preferring variety and spontaneity over strict structure.
If you’re a Butterfly, you likely:
✔ Start multiple projects at once but struggle to finish them.
✔ Prefer inspiration-driven organization rather than rigid systems.
✔ Work best when things are visually appealing or fun.
My Thoughts on This:
I have big Butterfly energy. I can start a new project today with intense enthusiasm, but by next week, something else has caught my attention. Not gonna lie—it’s a bit chaotic. But I’ve also realized that this isn’t wrong, just different. I thrive on creative bursts. I’ve just had to figure out how to harness them.
Strengths:
- Creative and open to new ideas.
- Good at brainstorming and innovation.
- Can handle flexible, non-traditional work environments.
Challenges:
- Struggles with consistency and follow-through.
- Can feel overwhelmed by unfinished projects.
Books to Read: Refuse to Choose! by Barbara Sher, The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp.
Research: Vohs, K. D., Redden, J. P., & Rahinel, R. (2013). Physical Order Produces Healthy Choices, Generosity, and Conventionality, Whereas Disorder Produces Creativity. Psychological Science.
3. The Cricket (The Deadline-Driven Organizer)
Crickets are known for their rhythmic chirping, which often intensifies as pressure builds—just like people who thrive under deadlines.
If you’re a Cricket, you likely:
✔ Work best under time constraints.
✔ Often procrastinate but deliver excellent work last minute.
✔ Struggle with motivation until urgency kicks in.
My Thoughts on This:
This one? Me. My best personal work happens when the deadline is staring me down like a final boss. I don’t like the stress, but somehow, the adrenaline makes my brain work better. I always tell myself, “Next time, I’ll start earlier.” Spoiler: I never do.
Books to Read: Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy, The Now Habit by Neil Fiore.
Research: Ariely, D., & Wertenbroch, K. (2002). Procrastination, deadlines, and performance: Self-control by precommitment. Psychological Science, 13(3), 219–224
On The Blog: Daily Habit That Is Keeping Me Sane
4. The Firefly (The Impulse Organizer)
Fireflies glow in bursts, just like people who get sudden waves of motivation to organize.
If you’re a Firefly, you likely:
✔ Have moments of extreme productivity followed by periods of inactivity.
✔ Work best when inspired rather than by routine.
✔ Can go from chaotic to hyper-organized overnight.
My Thoughts on This:
I love Firefly energy. Some days, I wake up and just need to clean, plan, and organize everything in sight. Other days? Nothing. Fireflies remind me that inspiration is powerful but fleeting.
Books to Read: The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins.
Research: Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the greatest human strength. Penguin Press.
Final Thoughts: Which One Are You?
Here’s what I realized after all this digging—most of us are a mix. We shift between styles depending on our mood, environment, and responsibilities. Some days, I’m a Bee, planning everything meticulously. On other days, I’m a Cricket, riding the adrenaline of an impending deadline. And sometimes? I’m a full-on Butterfly, floating from one idea to another with no clear structure.
And that’s okay.
Understanding these styles has helped me stop fighting my natural tendencies. I no longer force myself to be a hyper-organized Bee. I embrace being a mix of Butterfly, Cricket, and Firefly. I’ve learned to adapt. I now build systems that work for me, not against me.
Let Chat
- Which insect best describes your organizational style?
- Are you watching the series ‘High Potential’
This bee–butterfly–cricket breakdown was super relatable, I’ve always felt like a butterfly with builder guilt 😅 I used to judge my scattered focus until I took the Archetype6 quiz and realized I’m a Seeker. That helped me stop fighting my curiosity and start designing systems that work with it.
Here’s what’s been working since:
1. I rotate my focus every 7–10 days so I stay engaged without burning out.
2. I set up “return paths” — little cues that guide me back when I drift.
3. Seeing how other Seekers stay productive in their own messy way gave me permission to drop the shame.
Has anyone tried linking organizational style (like Bee or Seeker) to how they block time in a week? I’m trying to map patterns but not sure how granular to go.