Tame the Chaos

Build a Flexible System That Actually Works

Let me be real with you…

I used to rebuild my weekly schedule like a kid knocking down Lego towers just to start over. Every week felt like a new mess to figure out — even when I was “planning ahead.”

I was treating my calendar like it existed in a vacuum, forgetting that life (and chaos) doesn’t follow a plan.

Then one week, I looked back at the chaos I’d tracked.
And I realized — most of it wasn’t unpredictable. It was just unaccounted for.

Calls were always popping up on Mondays. Energy crashed every Thursday afternoon. Friday mornings were total dead zones.

I didn’t need a new system.

I needed a flexible one that included the chaos.

Build a Flex System That Expects the Unexpected

Now that you’ve blocked for Chaos Time, tracked what’s showing up, and identified patterns — it’s time to bake that insight into your calendar.

Here’s how I do it:

  1. Add Pre-Decided Flex Blocks
    Instead of treating chaos like an interruption, give it a place to land.
    Example: I now build in 30-minute “buffer zones” around my most frequently interrupted blocks.
  2. Group Your Common Chaos
    Did most of your chaos time involve returning messages or rescheduling meetings?
    Create a dedicated hour each week just for that.
  3. Don’t Over-Schedule Deep Work
    If you need focused time but chaos usually hits in the afternoons, block deep work for mornings.
  4. Leave Space to React (Strategically)
    Build your week to be about 80–85% full. That last 15–20% is sacred. That’s your catch-up. Your cushion. Your sanity.

Flexibility isn’t a lack of structure — it’s the right structure.

After I built in those flex zones, my productivity didn’t just improve — it got more sustainable.

I wasn’t constantly scrambling to “catch up.”
I wasn’t resenting every call that popped up mid-task.
And I wasn’t burning out trying to fit real life into a fake perfect schedule.

Now, my calendar reflects reality — not just my ambitions.

And ironically, I get way more done.

You’ve made it to the final post in the Chaos Time series!
If this helped you rethink how you manage your time, let me know.

Better yet — send this series to a friend who’s always overwhelmed. They might just need a little Chaos Time in their life.

And if you want help putting a system together that actually fits you — let’s chat. I do this kind of thing with clients all the time. Grab a totally complimentary call here.