--- title: "STYLE Savvy: Managing Time When it Refuses to Be Tamed" description: Lisa Hess finds clarity in a crazy, mixed-up time and suggests some time-management strategies for times of transition. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/06/08/style-savvy-managing-time-refuses-tamed#) # STYLE Savvy: Managing Time When it Refuses to Be Tamed Jun 8, 2016 11:00:09 AM  |  by [Lisa Hess](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-hess) Every spring, I attend the same [writers' conference](http://pennwriters.org/conference/), and I come home with new ideas to try, and a determination to write more than ever. But this year, the conference collided with my daughter's prom, and once I was home, my resolutions collided with her graduation. I'm no fool. I know what's really important in this equation. Still, as one thing after another edged out the writing I'd* just* pledged to do, I had to remind myself that time management in times of transition is different that day-to-day time management. And, when the transitions are significant, it's important to keep in mind that managing time is less important than making the most of it. So, what do you do when your brain says, "you should be doing *this*," but your heart says, "you should be doing *that*"? - **Be flexible. **Go ahead and draft that schedule -- just make sure you write it in pencil. Things *will *change (that's why they call it "transition") and expecting otherwise only makes us cranky and stressed out. Do what you can, and re-evaluate priorities as each day goes on. - **Be available. **Transition times are loaded with opportunities to do valuable things that aren't on any list. When we drop what we're doing to give someone important our attention, we often end up with unexpected bonuses. Last week, by deviating from the schedule, I ended up enjoying a long talk and a fun shopping trip -- both with my daughter, and both well worth leaving some things undone. - **Be patient** -- and not just with others. All this flexibility and availability can be really hard, and can lead to frustration over the things that don't get done. As I seem to be saying a lot these days, it's important to focus on the progress we've made, not the progress we haven't made, and, it's even more important to remember what really matters.   ![family-pixabay.1150995_960_720](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/family-pixabay_1150995_960_720-406x400.jpg?width=406&height=400&name=family-pixabay_1150995_960_720-406x400.jpg) Image via [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/en/family-mother-father-children-s-1150995/), CC0 Public Domain [Tweet "Transition times are loaded with opportunities to do valuable things that aren't on any list."] Transitions mean change and change brings challenges. When in doubt, take a moment to ask yourself what matters most. That way, you can tackle the most important challenges first, and make the most of every moment. And that's one style everyone can get behind. *Copyright 2016 Lisa Hess* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F08%2Fstyle-savvy-managing-time-refuses-tamed%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F08%2Fstyle-savvy-managing-time-refuses-tamed%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F08%2Fstyle-savvy-managing-time-refuses-tamed%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=STYLE%20Savvy%3A%20Managing%20Time%20When%20it%20Refuses%20to%20Be%20Tamed) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F08%2Fstyle-savvy-managing-time-refuses-tamed%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F08%2Fstyle-savvy-managing-time-refuses-tamed%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa Hess](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20Lawmaster%20Hess.jpg) ### [Lisa Hess](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-hess) Transplanted Jersey girl Lisa Lawmaster Hess is the author of a blog compilation, three novels, and three non-fiction books, including the award-winning Know Thyself: The Imperfectionist’s Guide to Sorting Your Stuff. A retired elementary school counselor, Lisa is an adjunct professor of psychology at York College of Pennsylvania. She blogs at [The Porch Swing Chronicles](http://l2hess.blogspot.com/), [Organizing by STYLE](http://www.orgbystyle.blogspot.com/), and here at Catholicmom.com. [Read all articles by Lisa Hess](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-hess). [**](https://www.facebook.com/L2Hess/) [**](https://twitter.com/orgbystyle) ## Related Blog Articles [ STYLE Savvy: Taming Time Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/style-savvy-taming-time) [ STYLE Savvy: Small Things Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/04/26/style-savvy-small-things) [ STYLE Savvy: Where do I Begin? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/09/12/style-savvy-where-do-i-begin/) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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