run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Working quickly and with much activity while trying to accomplish a large number of tasks, perhaps simultaneously. Give yourself enough time before deadline so that you don't have to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off at the last minute.
run around like a chicken with its head cut off and run (around) in circles
Fig. to run around frantically and aimlessly; to be in a state of chaos. (Alludes to a chicken that continues to run around aimlessly after its head has been chopped off.) I spent all afternoon running around like a chicken with its head cut off. If you run around in circles, you'll never get anything done.