Best Laid Plans

Can AI Help You Plan Your Life? A Real-Life Experiment with Emilie Schario EP 299

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000

Emilie Schario is a mother of 3 (5 & under!) and an AI expert in the tech space, as VP of engineering at Kilo Code. She's also a BLPA alumnus who still loves to plan on paper! Emilie joins Sarah today to talk planning, productivity, and how she uses AI tools every day in her planning and life management systems. She shares her own simple (and very appealing!) use cases and ideas for how even the least tech-savvy can get started.
Find more from Emilie at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilieschario or her substack, emlie.substack.com.

OUR SPONSORS:

IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠

Mint Mobile: Shop affordable cell phone plans at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠

Green Chef: Healthy eating made easy. Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠⁠and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% your first month, then 20% off for two months.

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal plans to fit your family's nutritional needs! Visit ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠ for your first two weeks free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April Q&A: Planning vs Execution, Delegating Tasks, and Spring Planner Releases EP 298

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In today's ep, Sarah answers questions for the month of April! Topics include:

Why no planner reviews lately + notes on spring releases
Tips for reminding others of tasks you are attempting to delegate (with a listener tip as one possible answer!)
To-be-read list management
Struggles with planning vs execution

Resources + Links:

Simplified planners: emilyley.com
Hobonichi April start: https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/lineup/
Episode with Cal Newport: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LejRmFRxXbY&t=3702s
Episode on The Gap Between Planning and Doing: https://theshubox.com/2025/04/ep-245-the-gap-between-planning-and-doing.html
Courses: BLPA2.0 is almost full - details at theshubox.com/courses

OUR SPONSORS:

IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠

Mint Mobile: Shop affordable cell phone plans at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠

Green Chef: Healthy eating made easy. Visit ⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% your first month, then 20% off for two months.

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal plans to fit your family's nutritional needs! Visit ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ for your first two weeks free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah's Planner Peace: 10 Tactics Working Well in 2026 EP 297

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah answers a question about Disney planning and then delves into her own current planner peace, with 10 tactics working really well for her in 2026!
You can find images of the tracking spreads she talks about on the show notes page at theshubox.com!
Interested in BLPA2.0 this summer? Course info available at theshubox.com/courses
APRIL SPONSORS:

IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans
Mint Mobile: Shop affordable cell phone plans at mintmobile.com/BLP
Green Chef: Healthy eating made easy. Visit greenchef.com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% your first month, then 20% off for two months.
PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal plans to fit your family's nutritional needs! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first two weeks free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Busy Season Survival Guide EP 296

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares 10 tips for getting through a particularly full season of life, inspired by a very travel-heavy spring schedule coming up for her.
Interested in BLPA2.0? Be sure you are getting Sarah's newsletter, out in early April with signup details. Visit theshubox.com/newsletter!

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Healthy meals that fit your nutrition goals (and are delicious too!). Head to Greenchef dot com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where To START, and Planning to Revolutionize Your Social Life EP 295

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah answers a question from Nate (who heard Sarah on Cal Newport's Deep Questions Podcast), who asked where it makes sense to START in terms of implementing all of the planning systems she talks about on this podcast (and in her book!). How does one begin to build a system - all at once, or piece by piece?
Useful references mentioned:
Airtight Task Management Episode: https://theshubox.com/2026/02/blp-ep-288-your-guide-to-airtight-task-management.html
Annual Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2024/11/ep-226-your-mini-guide-to-2025-annual-planning.html
Seasonal Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2024/03/blp-episode-189-diving-into-quintile-2.html
Monthly Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2025/05/blp-ep-252-monthly-planning-rhythms-completist-mini-review.html
Weekly Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2020/08/day-140-blp-ep-2-weekly-review.html (note: this is the SECOND EVER ep of BLP, so stay tuned for a renewed weekly planning episode coming soon!)
Daily Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2021/02/blp-ep-28-daily-planning-routines-and-crowding-out-bad-habits.html
Then, Sarah interviews September Gerety, an CEO in her empty nest phase who has found herself with a thriving community and social life -- and it all started with some planned. She shares her story (as well as a bit about her current systems!). If you have questions for September, you can find her via this episode's show notes at theshubox.com.

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.

Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's Plan the Week Together! EP 294

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah plans her week on-air! Well, it's a bit of a reenactment (mostly because she needed a quiet house to record), but she goes through all the steps and there are visual aids (please see the show notes @ theshubox.com for photos!).
Steps in her weekly planning process:

Looking back - reflection & review (including migration/review of any prior undone tasks, plus a look at the monthly list)
Looking ahead - upcoming calendar integration
Look around - ensure inboxes are up to date enough & check sneaky sources
Look within - mood and energy assessment
Generate weekly task list and record
Add weekly ops that feel necessary (plus: FUN AUDIT)
Remember the upcoming weekend - think it through
Plan for communication

Episode mentioned where Sarah clears her email on air: https://theshubox.com/2025/11/ep-278-empty-your-inbox-with-me-and-hemlock-oak-daily-weekly-monthly-planner-review.html

Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.

Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Decluttering with Dana K White (Plus An Update from Sarah!) EP 293

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0000

Dana K. White is a decluttering expert -- NOT an organizing expert! She shares her mess-free 5-step method in today's podcast, with advice for those who struggle to get started. The 28-day plan she mentions on the episode can be found in her first book, How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind.
You can find Dana at https://www.aslobcomesclean.com, her most recent organizing book is Organizing for the Rest of Us, and her children's book just came out called Winnie's Pile of Pillows!
Prior organizing guests:
Lisa Woodruff (Organize 365): https://theshubox.com/2021/03/episode-33-organizing-your-home-your-paper-and-your-life-with-organize-365s-lisa-woodruff.html
Tyler Moore (Tidy Dad): https://theshubox.com/2025/01/blp-ep-234-tidy-up-your-life-organizing-inspiration-for-2025-with-tyler-moore-aka-tidy-dad.html
Shira Gill (Minimalista): https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-best-of-both-worlds-podca-29945444/episode/organizing-your-home-and-beyond-with-shira-gill-ep-383-244524397 (This one is actually Best of Both Worlds!)
BLP Live Info: theshubox.com/blplive
Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to be notified when the first (pilot) round of BLPA2.0 is open!

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠.

Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March Q&A: Planning Your Planning (!), Nested Goals at Work, Email Integration Solutions, and More EP 292

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the March Q&A episode!
Topics discussed include:
- Do Nested Goals work in the work setting, and if so, would you do the planning for both at the same time, or separate things out?
(Episode mentioned: https://theshubox.com/2026/01/ep-285-sextiles-morning-pages-goals-lists-and-more-listener-tips-qa.html)
- How to plan your planning (very meta - but seriously!) - both at larger and smaller time scales
- How to plan for community engagement or activism?
- Seeking help on syncing Outlook and Google Calendar (listener wisdom requested!)
- Suggestions for mood tracking
Plus, listener Stephanie gives her take on Ramona & Ruth Planners: (https://www.ramonaandruth.com)

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans.

Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at mintmobile.com/BLP.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Peace: Logistics + More in a Family of 8 EP 291

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Jessica lives in California with her husband and is a mother of 6! In today's episode, she shares her own detailed planned peace, discussing how she keeps things organized in such a large and active household.
Apps/topics mentioned: Apple's Reminders, Things (for task capture), Laurel Denise Anne layout (https://laureldenise.com/products/2026-the-anne-planner-pemberly-gardens), Essential Calendar (https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/ - if you'd like a coupon code, you can enter BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off)
You can find Jessica on Instagram at @stayathomeista

Our Sponsors

Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP ⁠⁠⁠

Green Chef: Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tracking All The Things: How Much is Too Much? EP 290

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0000

In the first part of this episode, Sarah shares some listener follow up to the Task Management episode from 2 weeks ago, including use of Apple Reminders voice entry feature, a simple Notes strategy, Teux Deux, and one listener's analog solution.
Then, Sarah delves into her current thoughts on tracking, which have shifted a bit since her initial episode on the topic. She shares ways in which tracking various metrics has been helpful in recent months and presents a unique use case submitted by listener also named Sarah (a martial artist who blogs at sarahbadatrichardson.com).

Our Sponsors

Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP ⁠⁠

Green Chef: Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠ for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We Can Do This: A February Pep Talk EP 289

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0000

This can be a HARD time of year for many! In today's episode, Sarah shares her own February struggles and provides a pep talk for all of us who might be stuck in winter doldrums or feeling less excited about our 2026 goals.
Books recommended: Meditations for Mortals or 4000 Weeks By Oliver Burkeman
Reminder: BLP Live will be Nov 5-7 2026 - be one of the first to be notified by signing up for Sarah's newsletter.

Our Sponsors

Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP ⁠

Green Chef: Visit ⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠ixl.com/plans⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Guide to Airtight Task Management EP 288

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Sarah opens up with a little update on how 2026 is going so far (as we head into February!), and then dedicates the rest of today's episode to airtight task management! She talks inboxes (collecting tasks) and creating a strategy for processing all of the to-do items that tend to come our way in all sorts of forms and timelines.

Our Sponsors

Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit mintmobile.com/BLP

Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/plans.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Analog Is Trending! EP 287

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Analog is definitely trending, and Sarah is here for it! In today's episode, she discusses the trend, her take on choosing analog when possible, and the unexpected effects on the planner world (!). She also addresses a listener who would like to use more tangible paper tools in her planning system, but struggles with a work system that is all digital.

Link to the WBEZ article: https://www.wbez.org/business/2026/01/15/shoppers-chicago-stationary-shops-atlas-paper-pencil-hobonichi-social-media-analog

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠

IXL: Visit ⁠⁠⁠www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!)

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your 2026 Fitness Goals EP 286

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah chats about the evolution of her own fitness goals and interviews Meg Olander, personal trainer and certified group fitness coach. Meg has years of experience helping people with their fitness goals, and in today's episode, she shares her favorite strategies for success in fitness goals, from planning and prioritizing to avoiding optimization to accountability.

You can find more from Meg at https://fitfedfeelinggood.com and her podcast, Redesigning Health & Home

Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your physician before starting or changing any exercise program, especially with any health conditions or concerns. Your safety comes first!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠

IXL: Visit ⁠⁠www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!)

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sextiles, Morning Pages, Goals Lists and More: Listener Tips & Q&A EP 285

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares listener tips and answers questions!
Topics & references include:
- Stationery Store Spotlight: Wonder Fair in Lawrence, KS
- Alyce's alternative to January 1
- Sextiles: A listener creates her own seasons that work for her
- An A-to-Z 26 in 2026 list
- Feedback on the Friends Spreadsheet: A Notion Friends CRM (Customer Relationships Management) Tool
- Corporate uses for the Nested Goals framework
- Morning pages: is Sarah completing the entire Artist's Way course?
- Where do you find other people's goals lists?
- How to develop goals in the thick of little kid/baby life?
THANK YOU to everyone who has supported Sarah in her book launch journey! If you enjoyed Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Life That You Love, please leave a review anywhere (Amazon, goodreads, B&N, Bookshop)!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠

IXL: Visit ⁠www.ixl.com/plans⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!)

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Visit ⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to 2026! Top 10 Tips for Making The Most of Your Annual Goal Setting EP 284

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah welcomes listeners to 2026 and shares 10 tips for making the most of your annual goal setting efforts!

Link to mentioned episode on Nested Goals:
https://theshubox.com/2024/01/episode-182-nested-goals-explained.html

YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at prepdish.com/plans

IXL: Visit www.ixl.com/plans to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!)

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharing 2026 Goals + A Few Q&A! EP 283

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares her own 2026 goals list, set in 5 domains (Self, Relationships, Family/Home, Work, and Fun)! She goes into detail about each of the items on her list and the strategies she hopes to employ to help some of them come to fruition.
Additional info:
- Sarah's email - sarah hart unger at gmail - feel free to send your goals lists along, or message 305-697-7189
- Sarah's BOOK IS OUT - Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living A Life that You Love is out wherever books are sold. Find all of her methods in one place -- a complete system in a fun readable format.
- 2026 Courses are still open with sessions of Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2026 held in January! Visit theshubox.com/courses to register!

Episode Sponsors:

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mint mobile.com/BLP.⁠⁠⁠⁠

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Systems Switchups for 2026 + Sarah Dissects a Big Gnarly Goal EP 282

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In the first half of this episode, Sarah talks METAPLANNING - intentional dissection of one's systems and planning tactics. Then she shares some of her own potential systems upgrades for 2026, from seasonal planning with her husband to digital organization and a possible new screen time tracker.
Then, Sarah dissects her own Big Gnarly Goal for 2026! She answers the questions she posed in her own episode 197, Those Projects That Won't Go Away (link: https://theshubox.com/2024/05/blp-ep-197-those-projects-that-wont-go-away.html)

Episode Sponsors:

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠⁠mint mobile.com/BLP.⁠⁠⁠

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December Q&A: Sarah's Morning Routine + Using the Planner You Have, Plus Listener Tips EP 281

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares a listener tip, a store spotlight, and some great Q&A centered around morning routines and actually USING one's planner on a daily basis!
Keep your questions coming - Sarah can be reached via email (sarah hart unger at gmail) or via 305-697-7189!
PS: Sarah's book, Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living A Life That You Love is out tomorrow! Visit theshubox.com/preorders for your last chance at preorder bonuses!!

Episode Sponsors:

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠mint mobile.com/BLP.⁠⁠

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another Innovative Planning Technique: Monthly Workflows with Ronna EP 280

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah opens by reminding listeners of her upcoming book launch (T-8 days and counting - you can still get the preorder bonuses by visiting theshubox.com/preorders). And, she shares the happy news that Best Laid Plans was named by Amazon as one of 9 nonfiction editor's picks for December!
(See the full list here: https://www.amazon.com/b?ref=r_ess_dp_epicks&node=17276799011)
Then, Sarah interviews Ronna Belinky - productivity and time management expert, the creator and head of Workflows by Ronna! Learn about Ronna's innovative monthly planning techniques, the workbooks she created, and the key rituals and supports that help them work so well for people.
Find more from Ronna at workflowsbyronna.com.

Episode Sponsors:

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠mint mobile.com/BLP.⁠

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Stack 2026: Audio AND Video! EP 279

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah goes through the physical tools she used in 2025 and shares her 2026 Planner Stack!
This episode has a video component if you'd like to see the planners -- visit https://youtu.be/Bf5G8_pSr2s to get a visual!

Products mentioned:
- Hobonichi Cousin Avec
- Hobonichi Weeks
- Hobonichi Day Free
- Ashley Shelley x Amanda's Favorites collab
- Erin Condren 18 month Monthly Planner (Japanese-Style softcover)
- Moleskine Cherry Blossom series
- Hobonichi 5-year Journal
- Sarah's own Planning by Season + BLP Live Planners Episode Sponsors:

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/50bestlaid and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at mint mobile.com/BLP.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at prepdish.com/plans!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Empty Your Inbox (with me!) and Hemlock & Oak Daily/Weekly/Monthly Planner Review EP 278

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah empties her email inbox (and some other life inboxes) in real time! Find out how much time it took her to get from ~140 messages (half a week's worth of accumulation) in her primary gmail inbox to 0, what she did with all of those little pieces of information, and some takeaways for you if you struggle with task management or collecting all of your inputs. She then takes listeners through other digital inboxes, including WhatsApp and her texts.
Then, she shares her review of Hemlock & Oak's new 70gsm daily / weekly / monthly planner offering!
Link to the H&O planner she discusses is here: https://www.hemlockandoak.com/products/2026-weekly-daily-12-month-cloth-flex

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Organize 365: Visit ⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life Updates, BLP Live Takeaways, and Your Mini DIY Planning Primer for 2026 EP 277

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares some life updates coming off of a tough week! Then she delves into an overview of BLP Live and some of her own key planning takeaways from the event. Finally, she responds to a listener request for a "DIY Planning Primer", providing a list of 15 episodes that cover essential planning topics -- from building a system from scratch to daily planning, seasonal planning, monthly planning, and more.

Full links to each episode can be found on the show notes posted at theshubox.com!

Ep #6: Building a System from Scratch
Ep #28: Daily Planning Routines and Crowding Out Bad Habits
Ep #36: Planning in Quarters and Quintiles
Ep #88: Tracking - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Ep #110: How Sarah Organizes Her Life
Ep #145: Efficiency Tips for Healthcare Providers
Ep #168: Inputs, Interruptions & Reactivity
Ep #177: Annual Goal Setting
Ep #182: Nested Goals Explained
Ep #190: Your Ideal Week
Ep #214: How to Build More Intentionality Into Your Life
Ep #218: Your New Month Guide
Ep #233: January Energy + 3 Essential Systems
Ep #245: The Gap Between Planning and Doing
Ep #269: 10 Things to Consider if You Are Feeling Scattered

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Organize 365: Visit organize365.com/sunday-basket to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Spotlight: Annual Rituals, Spontaneity, and More with Jodi Wellman EP 276

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah interviews Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once: How to Make it to the End with No Regrets. This is Jodi's second visit to the podcast, and this conversation is all about the planning rituals that Jodi herself uses to ensure the (finite) life she is living has all of the elements that make it feel truly well-lived. They get into the weeds about her monthly vision boards, planning brunch dates, and how one might actually PLAN IN some spontaneity (yes, such a thing is possible!). This episode will help you get excited and inspired to gear up to plan 2026.
Jodi can be found at her website https://fourthousandmondays.com and on instagram at @fourthousandmondays -- her (free) newsletter comes out each Mondy and is a wonderful way to start the week.
Sarah also mentions Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2026 in this episode; details can be found at theshubox.com/courses

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Celebration Season On Ramp with Jen Ludwig EP 275

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Jen Ludwig loves holiday planning -specifically, she loves planning around her traditions of Christmas. However, this episode is for you no matter what you love to celebrate at the end of the year! In today's episode, Jen shares her tips for creating a celebratory season that is filled with fun and not overwhelm. She also has some fantastic gift tips + hacks!
Find Jen's book, Embracing Advent: Rediscovering Christmas in the Chaos (A Daily Devotional) on amazon, and more from jen at @jenludwigwrites on IG or substack.

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠⁠⁠⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inspiration for Your Analog Fall, Updates & More EP 274

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares an update for the listener seeking high-contrast planner options, with products mentioned including the Marjolein Delhaas Planner from Wms&Co, Rad & Happy, and Passion Planner.

Then, she shares a listener's story of ordering the Personal Planner from Sweden -- and being extremely surprised by fees (over 4x the value of the planner!).

Following, Sarah gets into the concept of an Analog Fall (or an Analog 2026?) inspired by Julianna Salguero's Keepsake substack post: https://juliannasalguero.substack.com/p/how-to-have-an-analog-fall

She adds to Julianna's ideas with several fun analog activities of her own, and also ponders: if we were adding tech back to our lives from scratch, what would we actually choose to partake in?

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠⁠⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling Stuck? 6 Practices to Get Your Dreams and Reflections Flowing EP 273

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode (and inspired by her recent girls' trip!), Sarah shares 6 practices to help you think through your big picture goals and dreams as we gear up for Reflection Season and starting to think about annual planning for 2026!

These include:
- Inspiring reading (or audio)
- 100 Dreams List
- 10, 5, or 1-year Visioning Exercises
- The gift of a notebook just for dreaming and scheming
- Deep conversion with a partner or friend
- Clean up!

A few specific items mentioned:

Laura's 100 Dreams List: https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/06/2015-list-100-dreams/
Nuuna Notebook: https://nuuna.com/notebooks
36 Questions: https://36questionsinlove.com
Course notes:
Visit theshubox.com/courses to learn more about guided annual and seasonal planning experiences for 2026!

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October Q&A: An All-Paper Planner Peace, Paper/Digital Hybrid Tips, Managing a Life with Many Moving Parts, and More EP 272

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a very planner-centric Q&A episode (since it's that time of year!).

First, Cynthia opens with her planner peace - a mashup of prior BLP mentions, from the Passionate Pennypincher Planner to Planner Pad and a Stalogy notebook!

Then, Kristin shares a pro tip for melding her digital planning (via Google calendar) with a paper system that allows for daily notes jotted in pen and a physical representation of the weeks and months.

Susie shares a common planning conundrum - she has a life with LOTS of moving parts, but no one system to contain them all.

Finally, a listener wonders how to handle events being tentatively booked in advance, while another gives a shout-out to Midori's unique Double Scheduler options (https://www.jetpens.com/Midori-Double-Schedule-Diary-2026-B6-To-Do-Blue)

Notes:

Yes, you can text your questions to Sarah -- just text (305) 697-7189
2026 courses are open for registration at theshubox.com/courses. Planning By Season is almost full, so don't wait to register if you are interested!

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ADHD-Friendly Planning Solutions with Skye Waterson EP 271

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah interviews Skye Waterson, ADHD strategist, host of a podcast in the ADHD space, and an expert in building systems that help entrepreneurs and execs with ADHD (or suspected ADHD) scale their businesses. Skye shares the strategies that she's currently using herself, as well as some great tips for prioritizing when everything feels urgent. She also shares ideas for procrastination and offers advice for others trying to support friends or family with ADHD.

Skye lives in New Zealand, and you can find her at unconventionalorganisation.com

Note: Best Laid Plans Live: Planning 2026 and Planning By Season: 2026 Edition are both open for registration for a limited time!
Visit theshubox.com/courses to learn more.

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/50bestlaid and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at mintmobile.com/BLP.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at prepdish.com/plans!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Course News + The Case For Planning In Fun (and tips for how to do it!) EP 270

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah opens with news about upcoming courses - both Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2026 AND Planning By Season will be back for next calendar year! Get details about the courses at theshubox.com/courses and be sure to sign up for her newsletter for registration info (newsletter drops 10/1).
Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter
Then, she talks all about FUN - the case for ensuring we plan in fun, ways to figure out what kind of fun we need, and inspiration for planning in fun at every time horizon, from daily to yearly and beyond.

Episode Sponsors:

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Things To Consider If You’re Feeling Scattered EP 269

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Inspired by her own recent period of feeling a bit overwhelmed and all over the place, Sarah shares 10 tips for those feeling scattered.
Please be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you'd like to receive October's edition:
theshubox.com/newsletter
Email Sarah with questions or comments at sarah hart unger @ gmail or text (305) 697-7189

Episode Sponsors:

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Peace & Accessibility + Discussing Wirecutter's 2026 Planner Picks EP 268

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares a Planner Peace submission from R, a lover of paper planners with a vision issue that makes small print and light colors difficult to work with. Please send Sarah any ideas for bright and bold planner brands to share with our listener!
Then, Sarah shares her notes on Wirecutter's picks for next year's planners!
The article can be found here:
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-paper-planners/
Send Sarah your own thoughts on the reviews, or submit your planning questions via email - sarah hart unger at gmail!

Episode Sponsors:

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September Q&A: Planner News, Planner Peace from a SAHM, Work/Life Separation, and More EP 267

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares some recent planner news. She discusses price changes at Hobonichi (she compares her recent order to years prior), and then shares about the new Minimalist option available from Full Focus.
Then, she goes through Q&A, tips & planner peace submissions for September! Topics include:
- Feedback from a teacher about separating work + life into different planner systems
- Tip from Sara about using ToDoist as a way to remind her future self about upcoming tasks
- Planner Peace (mostly digital!) from SAHM Ashley
- Suggestions for compact planners designed to be used for just one month at at a time?
- Advice for rebuilding one's system after a life-changing medical event
To submit your questions, email sarah hart unger at gmail or visit theshubox.com! Episode Sponsors:

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah's Systems Update: What's Working, What's Not, and What's In Store for 2026! EP 266

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah goes through a techo kaigi -- her own assessment of how her current tools are working for her, along with some musing about what's up ahead for 2026!

Products mentioned:
Hobonichi Cousin Avec
Erin Condren B6 18 Month Softbound
Hobonichi 5-Year Journal
Erin Condren Whiteboard
Essential Calendar (affiliate link: https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS + use code BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off)
Digital: Apple Notes, YNAB, Google Sheets
Sticker printer: Canon Selphy X20

Episode Sponsors:
IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August Q&A: Hobonichi, Taylor Swift, and More EP 265

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares two things that made her (tough) week, and then answers 6 questions from the August Q&A collection!
Topics include:
- Can you use Apple Notes to include attachments + graphics
- Big projects: fewer longer sessions, or consistent shorter ones?
- Ideal week during the newborn phase: yay or nay, and suggestions for an alternative if not?
- Are there circumstances where a 'work specific' planner can make sense?
- Work & rest-of-life planning sessions: separate or together?
- How long does it take to implement the routines of the nested planning sessions?
Get your questions to Sarah and you may hear the answers on a future episode! Email at sarah hart unger @ gmail or leave a comment on the show notes at theshubox.com.
Remember the newsletter comes out at the start of each month -- we're close to September, so sign up at theshubox.com/newsletter to receive it!

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning to Travel for Less with Kathleen Paley EP 264

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0000

If you've ever been curious about how you can leverage your planning and organizing skills to help you save money, this episode is for you, especially if yo love to travel. Kathleen Paley is a litigator, mother of 2, and podcast host who loves saving and having fun with her family. She joins Sarah today to share her top 5 strategies for traveling on credit card points -- everything from which cards to start with, how to maximize point earnings, and how to spend most cost-effectively.
Please note: neither Sarah nor Kathleen are affiliated with any of the companies mentioned on the episode, and these strategies should only be employed if you are paying credit card balances off in full every month -- otherwise they will cost you money rather than offer savings!
Kathleen can be found at the Reframe Podcast and The Minimalish Mom on IG.

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Things (Other Than Planners) To Consider Carefully Heading Into Back-to-School EP 263

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares her thoughts on 5 aspects of life to reflect on (other than planners!) as you head into the back-to-school season, whatever that means for you.

She provides a detailed overview of routines to think through / audit / consider tweaking, and then discusses sleep, communication strategies, mood management, and fun.

Share your favorite planners for kids/teens or best communication strategies with Sarah - email sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com or leave a comment at the show notes on theshubox.com!

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ADHD or Neurodivergent? Two Planner Mini-Reviews For You! EP 262

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah reviews two planners specifically designed to help those with different planning needs.

First, she discusses the Order Out of Chaos Planner, designed by ADHD parent and ADDItude Magazine columnist Leslie Josel. This planner is designed for students and might be particularly helpful for those with ADHD, though it could definitely serve other students well, too!

Link to the planners: https://ooocplanner.com/collections/academic-planners

Second, she reviews the Fast Brain Friend Daily Productivity Planner, described as "an intentional design for the neurodivergent mind" by creator Alanah Purtell. These are Australian monthly planners with varying (and somewhat unusual!) daily layouts as well as monthly + weekly planning tools.

Link to the planners: https://www.creatorsfriend.com.au/products/fast-brain-daily-productivity-planner-single

For some visuals, visit the show notes at theshubox.com.

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Peace + Efficiency Hacks from Seasoned Professor Sarah McConnell EP 261

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0000

It's not QUITE back to school season, but depending on where you live, it may be closer than you think! In today's episode, Sarah interviews Sarah McConnell, a professor of anatomy and histology for undergrads, graduate students and med students. Professor Sarah McConnell shares own current planner peace lineup and functional system, and then provides some fantastic tips for others in academic, from using templates to leaving helpful breadcrumbs so that each year builds on past experience without friction.

Planner Sarah mentions: Proaction Planner https://www.alifemadesimple.com/proaction-planner/

BLP Review of Proaction Planner:
https://theshubox.com/2022/01/blp-ep-79-qa-proaction-planner-review.html

Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter
Courses: theshubox.com/courses

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mental Load Expert Allison Daminger Answers Your Burning Questions About Planning and Household Management EP 260

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, sociology professor Allison Daminger joins Sarah for a fascinating discussion about mental load, division of labor, and the role of planning! She answers three great questions from listeners, tackling challenging questions about a partner not interested in long-range planning, a partner with little predictability to his job, and a partner with ADHD.

Find more from Allison and her book, The Mental Workload of Family Life, at her website: https://www.allisondaminger.com/book, and she can also be found on substack at https://allisondaminger.substack.com.

Submit your questions for Allison on the show notes page at theshubox.com!

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real Talk: Podcast Behind the Scenes with Sarah EP 259

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares some real behind-the-scenes podcast talk with listeners. She chats about how Best Laid Plans came to be, how she chooses guests, how she tracks podcast logistics, what she outsources, how she handles listener emails, and much more!

Visit her website, theshubox.com, if you haven't been for links to all of her prior episodes.

Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter
Courses: theshubox.com/courses
Books Read in 2025: theshubox.com/2025-books

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July Q&A: Airtight Task Capture, Planning Time Away from Work, and More! EP 258

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah answers accumulated questions for July!

Topics include:

Laurel Denise + Full Focus is too much -- what do use instead?
Task management (2 questions on various angles of this common challenge!) and how not to lose all of those great ideas that come to you that you want to see at the right time
Discussion of the Alistair Method for the listener struggling to fit tasks into an unpredictable schedule (details on this method here: https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/bulletjournalist/projects-the-alastair-method
Ways to structure/plan out a period of lighter work (sabbatical of sorts)

As mentioned early in the episode, Sarah's Mid-Year Check In is available for viewing -- great for those looking for a mid-year boost! This 1-hour guided mid-year planning session is available for instant viewing for anyone who purchases access to Planning 2026 (Sarah's 4 hour annual planning course, held in December/January).

Visit theshubox.com/courses for details!

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠ixl.com/plans⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mid-Year Check In: Tips & Sarah's Own Midyear Review EP 257

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares rationale and ideas for completing your own mid-year check in session, where you take stock of where things are, look at annual goals, and decide how you'd like to move forward. She provides ideas for the setting/scope of this session, and then shares her very own mid-year check in - processing her own progress on the air!

If you are interested in a guided mid-year check in video that takes you through the process step by step, Sarah is offering this as part of BLP at Home: Planning 2026 this year! You can get access to this video by preordering BLP at Home for next year (4 hour guided planning experience divided into two sessions, taking place in Dec 2025/Jan 2026).

All details will be shared via newsletter (July edition out 7/1), so visit theshubox.com/newsletter to sign up!

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/plans.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to greenchef.com/50BESTLAID and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June Q&A: Planner Swapping, Partner/Friend Planning Dilemmas, Planning with Unpredictable Time Blocks, Planners for Tweens/Teens with ADHD, and More EP 256

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0000

It's a Q&A podcast! Topics include:

- Ways to plan/manage tasks when your time is unpredictably chopped up (gig worker)?
- How to move into a new planner midyear?
- How to talk with a partner who feels your planning systems are over the top (and you feel like they are absolutely necessary for a functional family life)?
- How to handle a close friend or relative who refuses to make firm plans?
- Planner recs for a child with ADHD entering middle school

Keep your questions coming! Email sarah.hart.unger at gmail, leave a message on the show notes (theshubox.com) or reply to the newsletter!

Newsletter signups: theshubox.com/newsletter

EPISODE SPONSORS

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Save this summer with a Mint Mobile Wireless plan! Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠

PrepDish: Delicious and healthy plans to take the mental load out of planning dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for two weeks free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travel Planning: Strategic Planning + Anticipatory Fun at Every Time Horizon EP 255

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode centers around strategies for travel planning, from super-long range (5-10+ years) to daily planning while on vacation! Sarah shares her favorite strategies at each time horizon to craft travel plans that reflect your values and highest priorities, while meeting your actual real-life needs (budget, kids' ages, etc!).

Mentioned:
Kelsey's "The Years Are Short" sheet:
https://www.risingshining.com/2022/10/the-years-are-short-family-spreadsheet.html

Cameras (idea from Sarah Jedd, prior guest who blogs at harrytimes.com):
https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/hybrid/camp-snap-screen-free-digital-camera

EPISODE SPONSORS

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Save this summer with a Mint Mobile Wireless plan! Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠

PrepDish: Delicious and healthy plans to take the mental load out of planning dinner! Visit ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠ for two weeks free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where Planning Meets Etiquette with Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute EP 254

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Lizzie Post is the great-great-grandaughter of famed etiquette expert Emily Post and serves as co-president at the Emily Post Institute along with her cousin Daniel Post Senning. In today's episode Sarah interviews her on all things planning AND etiquette adjacent! First, Sarah inquires about Lizzie's current favorite planning tools and rituals, and then she asks questions that get at some of the stickier parts of planning: how to manage making plans in a group, how to handle planner fatigue, how to deal with managing forms of communication, and how to get past barriers to planning social things.

Lizzie and Dan's new book is the the newly-updated Emily Post’s Business Etiquette - find out more at https://emilypost.com! She and Dan also cohost Awesome Etiquette, a podcast where they discuss all things modern day etiquette and answer listener questions.

EPISODE SPONSORS

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠ixl.com/plans⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Save this summer with a Mint Mobile Wireless plan! Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠

PrepDish: Delicious and healthy plans to take the mental load out of planning dinner! Visit ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ for two weeks free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Quirky Planning Habits that Might Work for You! EP 253

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah welcomes listeners into summer (and southern hemisphere listeners into winter!). Then, she shares 10 less common (possibly quirky!) planning habits that work for her, from her tracking methods to her use of "defaults" and strategic use of break times, and more. She also shares a listener follow up to the new mom wondering how to deal with tasks that come to mind when she isn't with her planner!

EPISODE SPONSORS

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/plans.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/50BESTLAID and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Save this summer with a Mint Mobile Wireless plan! Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/BLP

PrepDish: Delicious and healthy plans to take the mental load out of planning dinner! Visit prepdish.com/plans for two weeks free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monthly Planning Rhythms + Completist Mini-Review EP 252

Mon, 26 May 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is dedicated to monthly planning rhythms! Sarah discusses why the monthly planning level can be a challenging one, but then provides reasons to try giving it some attention!

Elements Discussed:

- Ways to add to the "fresh start" energy - screen backgrounds + monthly tracking
- Monthly work plan (new element for Sarah!)
- Monthly goal setting (middle piece of the Nested Goals method - great way to break up big seasonal projects), including a look back / forward / within, and a calendar landscape review
- Monthly "extras" - might include budget, household supply maintenance, fitness ideas, library holds, adding in fun, and more!

Prior episodes mentioning Monthly Planning:
#17 - https://theshubox.com/2024/09/episode-218-your-new-month-guide.html
#218 - https://theshubox.com/2020/11/blp-ep-17-monthly-review.html

Completist Products Mentioned (no affiliation):
Weekly Planning Pad: https://www.the-completist.com/collections/planner-pads/products/andalucia-weekly-planner-pad
Daily Planner: https://www.the-completist.com/collections/daily-planners
Monthly Planner: https://www.the-completist.com/collections/month-planners
Newsletter signup: theshubox.com/newsletter
BLP Live in Nov (ONE slot as of posting this!): theshubox.com/blplive

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠

IXL: Tailored and effective online learning (my kids have used this for years as part of their school curriculum)! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at⁠⁠⁠ IXL.com/PLANS⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: The best meal kit for eating well. Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidfree⁠⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidfree to get started with FREE salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mini-Review of Kendra Adachi's Playbooks + Planner Peace from A Completist Listener EP 251

Mon, 19 May 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares a detailed Planner Peace submission (from a listener who listened to all 250 episodes of the BLP back catalog!) and provides a mini-review of Kendra Adachi's The Playbook, designed to be planner companions for each season, rather than planners themselves!

Find The Playbook here: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/merch/p/the-playbooks-bundle or here for a page by page overview: https://otterpine.com/the-playbooks/

Next, a listener with a new baby wonders whether it makes sense to carry her paper planner up and down the stairs vs make the switch to digital.

Finally, this is Sarah's birthday week! If you'd like to celebrate, leave a review on your favorite podcast app, or preorder Best Laid Plans: A Simple System for Living a Life That You Love (available at major retailers - just search for Sarah Hart-Unger!).

BLP Live is almost full - last chance if you'd like to plan 2026 with Sarah and Laura Vanderkam in person this November! Visit theshubox.com/blplive for details

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠

Green Chef: The best meal kit for eating well. Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidfree⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidfree to get started with FREE salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Out of the Weeds + Listener Q&A: Processing Paper, Ideas for Digital/Paper Hybrid Systems, Planner Peace from NZ, and Visualizing Summer EP 250

Mon, 12 May 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah share the strategies that got her feeling much less "in the weeds", including airtight task capture and inbox cleaning, plus monthly work planning!

Then, she shares a Planner Peace segment from Ross in NZ, who uses mostly digital tools plus a paper daily and has an incredibly well-thought-out and organized overall ecosystem!

Topics for the Q&A:

- Finding planners with affordable shipping to AUS and NZ
- Handling incoming papers without letting them overcrowd your desk
- Planner suggestions for a daily with decent-sized hour markings that go from 5a - 9p
- Suggestions for getting back into planning for someone with more limited use of her writing hand
- Ideas for visualizing the summer as a whole

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠

Green Chef: The best meal kit for eating well. Visit ⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidfree⁠ and use code bestlaidfree to get started with FREE salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Weeds: Thoughts on Climbing Out from Overwhelm + Overload EP 249

Mon, 05 May 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah gets real: she shares her current feelings of being "in the weeds", how she got there, and the strategies she hopes to employ to climb out.

Additional Notes:
Best Laid Plans LIVE in Florida: Planning 2026 has very few remaining slots - grab yours now at theshubox.com/blplive

Share your own tactics for getting out of the weeks - send Sarah an email or text at sarah.hart.unger at gmail or (305) 697-7189

Episode Sponsors:

Mint Mobile: Save money on your wireless plan! Visit mintmobile.com/BLP

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE Green Chef: Make this spring your most delicious yet with Green Chef! Visit greenchef.com/50BESTLAID and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping!

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning with IXL! For 20% off IXL membership, visit IXL.com/PLANS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Meals and the Rest of Life with Allison Schaaf, Business Owner and Mother of 4 EP 248

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Allison Schaaf is the creator and owner of PrepDish (longtime BLP sponsor!) and her business is based on planning, specifically around meals! But she also has plenty of wisdom to share around planning the rest of life, from long term goals to handling emails and managing a team. She is also highly interested in streamlining tasks as she is a mother of 4 (including a baby!).

Shared by Allison:

- Clever Fox planner

- Superhuman email

- Traction

- Die with Zero

PrepDish trial mentioned: prepdish.com/plans (two weeks free - and now with Instacart shopping links!)

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Green Chef: The best meal kit for eating well. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree to get started with FREE salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Routines (general thoughts + personal revamp!) + Planning Your Weekends EP 247

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah reflects on routines, noting that her recent episode on morning routines is already obsolete (as it applies to her own morning routine, anyway!). She shares thoughts about being flexible as you set your routines, and the need to continually re-evaluate, as well as her new morning routine.

Then, she pivots to all things weekend planning, as inspired by her friend noting that weekends were feeling . . . unsatisfying at times (Kae blogs at gratefulkae.com).

Sarah shares her rationale for why you should dedicate time to plan your weekends (at least as much as the week!) and shares some ideas to keep in mind as you think about those hours. Below, her suggestions:

TAKE THE TIME TO THINK THROUGH THESE DAYS!

BE REALISTIC

don’t forget transition time, drive time, etc

IF YOU DO HAVE TO WORK, BE VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT YOUR END GOALS ARE and TIME FRAME

SLOT IN RELAXATION AND GET ENOUGH REST

CONSIDER WEEKENDS TIME TO DO INSTALLMENTS OF A BIGGER PROJECT

TALK TO OTHERS BEFORE SETTING YOUR SCHEDULE - GET THEIR INPUT/BUY-IN

TRY TO BALANCE ACTIVE/MORE SOCIAL PERIODS WITH SOME DOWN TIME

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMETHING FUN FOR YOU!

FIGURE OUT THE TIME YOU’RE WILLING TO SPEND ON CHORES (figure out what is really a priority for those times)

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Prose: Truly custom skincare and haircare. Visit prose.com/plans for 50% off your first haircare subscription order!

Green Chef: The best meal kit for eating well. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree to get started with FREE salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring Planner Releases + Thinking About Summer EP 246

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah reflects on where we are in the year and offers encouragement and ideas to help you start thinking through summer.

She also provides an overview of some fun planner releases for spring, including new editions from Erin Condren, Simplified, and Laurel Denise.

Episode of Amanda's Favorites where she describes designing a planner with Laurel Denise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZnWjf0qdWM

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Prose: Truly custom skincare and haircare. Visit prose.com/plans for 50% off your first haircare subscription order!

Green Chef: The best meal kit for eating well. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree to get started with FREE salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Gap Between Planning and Doing EP 245

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Sometimes there is vast space (and struggle) between planning and executing on our plans. In this episode, Sarah delves into why that might be an offers some solutions.

She also mentions Lisa Woodruff's Medical Binder and Carolyn Cohen's Wellness While Walking podcast.

Episode where Carolyn was a guest: https://theshubox.com/2025/01/blp-ep-232-planning-and-goal-setting-for-health-with-carolyn-cohen.html

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Prose: Truly custom skincare and haircare. Visit prose.com/plans for 50% off your first haircare subscription order!

Green Chef: The best meal kit for eating well. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree to get started with FREE salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Benefits of Planning That Have Nothing to Do With Productivity EP 244

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Some might think the purpose of planning is to get more done. That may be true in some cases, but there is so much more to the story than that. In this episode, Sarah shares 10 benefits of planning that have nothing to do from productivity, from stress reduction to anticipation to creativity to having more fun.

Other news:

BLP Live is open for registration!! Join Sarah and Laura Vanderkam in South Florida this November for 3 days of planning, reflection, relaxation, community, and fun. Visit theshubox.com/blplive for details!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Prose: Truly custom skincare and haircare. Visit prose.com/plans for 50% off your first haircare subscription order!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recovery Routine, New Planners, and Amazing Answers to the "Too Many Tabs!" Question EP 243

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares an update on how her recovery is going in addition to some great wisdom on the idea of a "recovery routine" from a listener. Then, she shares a planner mini-review and new additions to her 2025 Stack:

- Full Focus Spiral-Bound

- Excello Essential Weekly + Monthly (https://excellobrands.com/calendar-year/essential-monthly-weekly-planner-7-x-9-cy-2025-frosted/ or via Amazon (search for ESSENTIAL 2025 Monthly & Weekly Planner with Tabs, 7"x9": 14 Months)

Then, she shares some fantastic listener-sent solutions for M, the listener stressed out by her many open browser tabs and "to be read later" intentions.

BLP Live: Planning 2026 (held in November 2025) is now open for registration - visit theshubox.com/blplive for details!!

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree for free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your Spring: Quintile 2 Planning Deep Dive Bonus Replay EP 242

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah checks in + introduces the show. Then, the main part of the episode is a re-air from 2024. Sarah hopes it is helpful as we approach the spring season!

Sarah opens with a discussion of the idea of planner page as "outside observer" and how seeing her day laid out in physical form can help alleviate stress and provide some helpful objectivity. (She is curious if this is a familiar feeing for anyone else!).

In the main portion of the show, she provides a step by step planning guide for your Quintile 2, or spring season (fall for our Southern Hemisphere listeners!). From end-of-the-academic year activities to spring cleaning energy, she provides many useful prompts to think about and then encourages a thorough review of your annual and Season 1 goals. Happy spring planning!!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unexpected Things Happen: Sarah's Current Challenges EP 241

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0000

A common question sent into BLP is about planning in the face of hard things or uncertainty. This episode is a raw/current one about some challenges Sarah is going through now and how she is going to try to handle them. Please note: this episode was recorded from a hospital room with no special mic so the sound quality might be a little different.

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree for free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

IXL: Tailored and effective online learning (my kids have used this for years as part of their school curriculum)! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at IXL.com/PLANS.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intentional + Sisterly Planning with Azizi and Malika of the Happier Ladies! EP 240

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Today, Sarah has a really fun and conversational chat with Azizi Williams and Malika Amandi, otherwise known as the Happier Ladies! These sister started a podcast inspired by the work of Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft, and share a love for planning, experiments, goal setting, and accountability (to each other, as well as their listeners). Azizi and Malika share their favorite tools, planning rituals, and more.

Their podcast can be found here; https://happierladies.wixsite.com/mysite

Episode 60 + 61 (Festival of Planning!) is here: https://happierladies.wixsite.com/mysite/episodes/episode/6b09e00f/festival-of-planning-60 and https://happierladies.wixsite.com/mysite/episodes/episode/20b7dee1/festival-of-planning-part-2-61

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree for free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February Q&A: Planning for the Family, Managing Goals Lists + Big Projects, Planning in Pregnancy, and Keeping Track of Things You Want to Read (Eventually) EP 239

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah answers questions accumulated in the month of February! Topics include:

- How do you deal with planning events for family members (ie camp, bday parties, etc!)

- How do I integrate goals lists into my planning when I feel like I have endless detailed lists dedicated to complicated projects?

(Nested Goals ep: https://theshubox.com/2024/01/episode-182-nested-goals-explained.html)

- Advice for planning in pregnancy + the postpartum period?

- How does Sarah use the calendar pages in the Hobonichi Weeks?

- How do you organize things "to be read" later that aren't books? (Magazine articles, journal articles, browser tabs, etc)?

- Where can I fit in my morning planning routine (working mom with a baby!)

- Notion Template mentioned by Malika: https://shop.muchelleb.com.au/collections/notion-templates

SPONSORS:

Prose: Custom skin and haircare that works! For an exclusive trial offer of 50% off your first haircare subscription order, visit prose.com/plans.

Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree for free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top 10 Tools: Planning & Planning Adjacent Favorites EP 238

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares her top 10 (plus maybe a bonus!) Planning + Planning Adjacent Tools! For specific links, visit https://theshubox.com/organize!

1) Kokuyo Campus Notebooks

2) Uniball Jetstream Pens (0.5 and 0.38 size)

3) Zebra Mildliners in pastel colors - especially used to create little squares for checkboxes!

4) Apple's Screen Time App + Widget

5) Stalogy Short Sticky Notes (plus bonus mention: Midori Sticky Notes Monthly Block)

6) The Essential Calendar (Sarah is an affiliate, so you can use code BESTLAIDPLANS or visit https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off)

7) Apple Notes, especially for tracking travel docs and kid-related frequent reference

8) Strava to track running

9) Feedly for blog reading

10) Creating podcast playlists

11) Erin Condren Whiteboard (Custom Color Weekly Schedule Wall Organization Center)

SPONSORS:

Prose: Custom skin and haircare that works! For an exclusive trial offer of 50% off your first haircare subscription order, visit prose.com/plans.

Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree for free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Morning Routines + Some Exciting News EP 237

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is dedicated to all things morning routine! Sarah shares her own (in detail) and discusses all of the questions to ask yourself if you're looking to add a bit more to your mornings (or not!).

And, she shares some exciting book news -- Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Live That You Love will be out in January 2026!!

Episode Sponsors:

Prose: Custom skin and haircare that works! For an exclusive trial offer of 50% off your first haircare subscription order, visit prose.com/plans.

Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree for free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service - a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curating and Editing your Wardrobe with Stylist Gab Saper EP 236

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0000

We all have to get dressed, right? This is just one more area rife for planning an organizing strategies, and stylist Gab Saper (aka The Wardrobe Editor) is here to deliver! She chats with Sarah about all things wardrobe curation and organization, and Sarah also gives a brief update on recent organizing wins in her closet!

Ways to find and connect with Gab:

Website: https://wardrobeeditor.com

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/wardrobeeditor/

Free guide: https://wardrobeeditor.myflodesk.com/hotagain

Episode Sponsors:

Prose: Custom skin and haircare that works! For an exclusive trial offer of 50% off your first haircare subscription order, visit prose.com/plans.

Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree for free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Mint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service - a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January Q&A: Google-Centered Planner Peace, Commonplace Books, Storing Yearly Goals, Planner Display Options, and Can You Skip Planning and Goal-Setting for a Season? EP 235

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's monthly Q&A ep, Sarah shares a Planner Peace vignette, 2 stationery shop recs, and answers 4 listener questions:

Planner Peace comes from a healthcare provider who has cut her documentation time in half after reflecting and listening to Sarah's Efficiency Tips ep. She uses Google products for almost everything, plus a daily paper planner (filled out fresh each day, referring to her digital lists!) for her schedule and tasks.

Stationery shop recs: Both in Chicago: Atlas Stationers and Paper and Pencil.

Question topics:

1) Recommendations for Commonplace Books?

2) Where should I keep my annual goals (from a Full Focus user)?

3) Planner wall storage ideas for messy areas (kitchen!)?

(She ended up going with this one: https://www.containerstore.com/s/office/message-boards-accessories/perch-wally-wall-plate/12d?productId=11001724 )

4) Have you ever intentionally stepped away from planning for a time or season? (And if so - how does it work within the Nested Goals framework)?

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well! Visit greenchef.com/plansfree and use code plansfree to get started with free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning with IXL. Visit IXL.com/PLANS to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

Mint Mobile: Amazingly affordable wireless service! Check out their new customer offer with 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 dollars a month by visiting mintmobile.com/blp

PrepDish: Convenient, healthy, and delicious meal plans sent directly to your inbox! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first two weeks FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tidy Up Your Life: Organizing Inspiration for 2025 with Tyler Moore (aka Tidy Dad) EP 234

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0000

If you have any kind of organizing or decluttering goals on your 2025 goals list, today's episode is for you. Sarah interviews Tyler Moore (known as Tidy Dad), a teacher and author with a passion for organizing and curating spaces to meet the needs of life as they ebb and flow through the seasons - and his current season is 3 young kids in a small NYC apartment!

This interview offers plenty of inspiration and great ideas from Tyler, including the idea of an annual decluttering calendar, thoughts on building household routines, and what to start with FIRST if you've struggle with decluttering in the past.

Tyler can be found at @tidydad on social media, thetidydad.com, and is the author of Tidy Up Your Life: Rethinking How to Organize, Declutter, and Make Space for What Matters Most, available wherever books are sold.

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well! Visit greenchef.com/plansfree and use code plansfree to get started with free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning with IXL. Visit IXL.com/PLANS to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

Mint Mobile: Amazingly affordable wireless service! Check out their new customer offer with 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 dollars a month by visiting mintmobile.com/blp

PrepDish: Convenient, healthy, and delicious meal plans sent directly to your inbox! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first two weeks FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January Energy + 3 Essential Systems EP 233

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah checks in with a January energy report and provides some words of caution about this high-motivation time -- it's fun and you should enjoy it, but be prepared for it to be transient!

She shares her thoughts on 3 essential systems for life management: a comprehensive and accurate Master Calendar, Airtight Task Management, and her Nested Goals framework.

Resources/other episodes mentioned:

1) Seasonal Planning Example: https://theshubox.com/2024/03/blp-episode-189-diving-into-quintile-2.html

2) All About Nested Goals: https://theshubox.com/2024/01/episode-182-nested-goals-explained.html

3) Second Brain concept (credit to Tiago Forte): https://theshubox.com/2024/01/second-brain-ing-my-apple-notes.html

https://theshubox.com/2022/08/blp-episode-108-back-to-school-scrolling-habits-planner-matchups-apple-notes.html

Send in your questions, Planner Peace submissions, and favorite shop recs - comment on theshubox.com, text to 305-697-7189, or email sarah.hart.unger at gmail!

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well! Visit greenchef.com/plansfree and use code plansfree to get started with free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning with IXL. Visit IXL.com/PLANS to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

Mint Mobile: Amazingly affordable wireless service! Check out their new customer offer with 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 dollars a month by visiting mintmobile.com/blp

PrepDish: Convenient, healthy, and delicious meal plans sent directly to your inbox! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first two weeks FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning and Goal-Setting for Health with Carolyn Cohen EP 232

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Carolyn Cohen is a health coach passionate about helping others reach their wellness goals, and she chats with Sarah today about how planning and goal-setting intersect with health and wellness. She discusses the pros and cons of having a separate wellness planner, effective habit tracking, the benefits of data from wearables, and more. She also introduced the idea of a health planning retreat!

Find more from Carolyn at wellnesswhilewalking.com, or check out the Wellness While Walking podcast in your favorite player!

Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well! Visit greenchef.com/plansfree and use code plansfree to get started with free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning with IXL. Visit IXL.com/PLANS to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

Mint Mobile: Amazingly affordable wireless service! Check out their new customer offer with 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 dollars a month by visiting mintmobile.com/blp

PrepDish: Convenient, healthy, and delicious meal plans sent directly to your inbox! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first two weeks FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharing 2025 Goals! EP 231

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares her goals for 2025 in 4 domains: personal, work, relationships, and household! If you love listening to others share their plans and dreams for the year, this episode is for you :) Topics include fitness and health goals, goals related to kids, work goals, organizing aspirations, and more.

Thank you for listening this year, and wishing you a wonderful start to 2025!

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

MasterClass: Give the gift of learning this season! Visit masterclass.com/bestlaidplans to learn more and find active discounts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Setting Up My 2025 Planner Sidekick + December Q&A EP 230

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah goes through her setup of her 2025 Goals/Lists planner, a Hobonichi Weeks she will use for tracking and various collections. Then, she answers additional questions sent in the past month.

Topics discussed:

- Request for planner shop recs around the world + recommendation of Good Postage in Charlotte, NC

- Ways to track continuing education data + resources - Sarah recommends going digital for this using a tool like Apple Notes, OneNote, or Notion

- Listener tip: a Taylor Swift-inspired planner!? Meet the Mastermind!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1798413186/the-weekly-mastermind-planner-2025

- Another listener's take on Quintiles - the Sextile system! (6 seasons of the year!)

- Planner matchmaking request for a small dated daily planner. Ideas included the Hobonichi A6, Take A Note, Sterling Ink 2025 Daily, Midori Hibino (small but CHUNKY), Leuchtturm Daily in Pocket A6, or dating a Stalogy 365 notebook

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

MasterClass: Give the gift of learning this season! Visit masterclass.com/bestlaidplans to learn more and find active discounts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mindful Social Media Use and More with Shunta Grant EP 229

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Shunta Grant is the creator of the Best Today Guide and associated communities, and is passionate about helping people find the best version of "today" that they can, and the intentional stewardship of time. She is also vocal and honest about her journey with social media, which is what especially Sarah to her work! In this conversation, Sarah chats with Shunta about what cultivating your "Best Today" means, overcoming challenges, as well as Shunta's social media experiments, challenges, and current practices.

Find Shunta at: https://besttoday.co

Additional Notes:

Planning By Season: almost full! Visit theshubox.com/courses for details; this is a year-long experience that opens for registration just once yearly for continuity in your seasonal planning all year long.

Newsletter:

Subscribe for monthly notes and highlights in your inbox (and never more than every month)! Visit theshubox.com/newsletter

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

MasterClass: Give the gift of learning this season! Visit masterclass.com/bestlaidplans to learn more and find active discounts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revealed: 2025 Planner Stack! EP 228

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 10:18:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares her Planner Stack (all of her physical planning tools) for 2025! She's going more streamlined this year with a couple of changes and many old favorites.

She would love to hear about the tools you have decided on for 2025! Share via theshubox.com or email sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com.

She also discusses a bit more about Planning By Season 2025, which just opened for registration! Learn more about this year-long experience at theshubox.com/courses

TOOLS MENTIONED

* BLP Live/Home Workbook

* BLP Planning By Season Workbook (trying printing at doxzoo)

* Hobonichi HON A5 English, Paysanne Blossom Liberty Cover

* Hobonchi Weeks Mega, Lemon Water

* Hobonichi 5-Year (2021-2025)

* Ashley Shelly Monthly (Amanda's Favorites version)

* Essential Calendar (affiliate link gets you 10% off: https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS or use code BESTLAIDPLANS at checkout)

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

MasterClass: Give the gift of learning this season! Visit masterclass.com/bestlaidplans to learn more and find active discounts!

Cozy Earth: Sheets, pajamas and more in the most amazing fabric. Visit cozyearth.com/plans and use exclusive 40%+ off code PLANS to give the gift of luxury this holiday season.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your Spending with Jen Smith EP 227

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah kicks off an "organizing special topics" series with Jen Smith, cohost of the Frugal Friends podcast and author of Buy What You Love Without Going Broke, out this January. Sarah and Jen chat intentionality around spending, saving, and how to tackle both short- and long-term financial goals. Get inspired to think about budgeting in a different way by focusing on spending on what matters, not deprivation.

Sarah is releasing Planning By Season! Find out more at theshubox.com/courses (or check out details in the December newsletter - visit theshubox.com/newsletter to subscribe!)

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

MasterClass: Give the gift of learning this season! Visit masterclass.com/bestlaidplans to learn more and find active discounts!

Cozy Earth: Sheets, pajamas and more in the most amazing fabric. Visit cozyearth.com/plans and use exclusive 40%+ off code

PLANS to give the gift of luxury this holiday season.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Mini-Guide to 2025 Annual Planning EP 226

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah shares her annual planning framework, essentially a mini-version of her BLP at Home course! Components include reflection, visioning, goal setting, specialty planning, and more.

She has added one weekend option for BLP at Home: Planning 2025! If you'd like to join, visit theshubox.com/courses for more info.

Episode Sponsors:

Cozy Earth: Amazing sheets, pajamas, and other gifts! Visit cozyearth.com/plans for 40%+ off!

Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

MasterClass: Give the gift of learning this season! Visit masterclass.com/bestlaidplans to learn more and find active discounts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Reasons to Take a Break from Social Media EP 225

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0000

In the past couple of weeks, there has been more discussion of becoming more intentional about your social media habits. If you'd like more encouragement to see what life is like without "the scroll", this episode has lots of it.

Sarah shares her own story of quitting various forms of social media and then offers 10 compelling reasons to give yourself a break from the scroll.

The scroll is endless; your life is not.

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

MasterClass: Give the gift of learning this season! Visit masterclass.com/bestlaidplans to learn more and find active discounts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Changes for Next Year, Just Scribbles Planner Mini-Review, and Nested Goals Example EP 224

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Today's episode opens with a Planner Peace segment from Sarah's friend and coworker Kathleen who uses a medium-sized At-A-Glance Weekly and Monthly (available here: https://a.co/d/5tnHJZ5). This planner may appear basic but it packs a punch in terms of features (and the paper is nice, too!).

Then, Sarah provides a review of the Just Scribble Plans Vertical Weekly A5 Planner (available here for preorder: https://www.shopjustscribble.com/products/plans-vertical). It's a 2-volume set and a LOT of planning real estate.

Sarah then shares some ideas of things she wants to do differently with her own planning in 2025, followed by a listener question asking for an example of how "Plan a Neighborhood Party" would make its way through the Nested Goals system.

Info on BLP at Home Planning 2025: theshubox.com/courses

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Q5: Reflection Season! EP 223

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is all about Q5 - the last two months of the year! Sarah shares her thoughts on why this time period feels "special", the inherent fun parts and challenges, and her approach to goal setting in this celebratory season.

Info on BLP at Home: Planning 2025 is at theshubox.com/courses

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Mini-Reviews: Full Focus Wellness, Ashley Shelly Daily, and Organize 365 EP 222

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah reviews 3 new planner offerings you might be considering of 2025! Products reviewed/discussed:

Full Focus Wellness Planner, a new version of the classic Full Focus Planner

https://fullfocusstore.com/pages/wellness-planner/

Ashley Shelly's Sewn Undated Daily, a compact versatile daily layout

https://ashleyshelly.com/product/daily-notebook-planner-undated/

Organize 365's intriguing rainbow planning products - tear-off pad + spiral bound

https://member.organize365.com/product-category/planning

Note: Full Focus and Ashley Shelly products were purchased; Organize 365's planners were sent as a gift with no obligation to review

Sarah also answers a Q&A from a listener: at what stage do you bring your partner into your annual planning process?

Final reminder: Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2025 has early pricing ($30 less) until November 1st, so this is the last reminder on the podcast. Space is limited. Visit theshubox.com/courses for details!

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October Q&A: 99% Paper Planner Peace, Hot Tips, and Can Chat GPT Pick Your Planner? EP 221

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares an extensive Planner Peace from a listener who plans "99% on paper" and then shares some Hot Tips + Q&A!

Planner Peace Segment

Products mentioned:

- Plotter: https://plotterusa.com/leather-binders

- Raymay-Davinci: https://yosekastationery.com/search?q=raymay

Hot Tips:

Apps mentioned: OneSec , Forest

Essential Calendar: https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS - use BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off

Note: Sarah is an affiliate and earns a small commission from each Essential Calendar sale with her code

Personalized Filofax inserts: https://us.filofax.com/pages/personalization-station

Vertical AND Horizontal Weekly Planner Mentioned: Twines and Paper Weekbook: https://twinesandpaper.com/en-us/products/preorder-weekbook-hybrid-2025-softcover-book-bound-tomoe-river-paper

Q&A:

- Handling non-urgent tasks that keep getting kicked down the curb

- Planning household tasks

ChatGPT Segment: Podcast ep mentioned: https://jadeboyd.co/how-i-organize-it-all-in-one-place-with-clickup/

(Jade's interview of Sarah is not up yet, but her podcast is The Business Edit)

Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2025 is open for registration, with discounted rates until 11/1! Plan your year with structure and fun -- visit http://theshubox.com/courses for details.

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How a Full Time Academic + Mother of 5 Gets it Done (with Joy!), Featuring Sarah Jedd EP 220

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, host Sarah interviews Sarah Jedd, who works full time as teaching faculty at UW (Faculty in Rhetoric, Politics, and Culture), and is the mother of 5 amazing kids ages 4 to 18! She's also been blogging (old school style) at harry times.com since 2006! Sarah Jedd does a lot, manages a lot, and has fun while doing it.

Sarah (J) shares her planning and life management tactics, from her personal daily planning ritual to her incredibly simple-yet-effective family management technique plus some discussion of her favorite budget and goal setting tactics.

Find much more from Sarah at http://harrytimes.com!

Additional note:

Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2025 is open for registration, with discounted rates until 11/1! Plan your year with structure and fun -- visit http://theshubox.com/courses for details.

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne:Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS.

Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top 10 Ideas for Your Paper Planner, Digital Displays, Screen Time Consciousness + more EP 219

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Highlights of this episode:

- Sarah opens by sharing details about BLP at Home: Planning 2025 (visit theshubox.com/courses for details)

- A listener (Bridget) shares her experiences with a display showing Google calendar - her setup, impact on kids, husband, etc!

- Discussion of screen time consciousness and the app Aro, which gamifies putting away your phone (into their special lockbox or otherwise)

- Lots of inspiration if you are starting to think about (yes already) setting up your 2025 planner! Sarah shares top 10 uses/views she has returned to over and over again in her systems. (Prior ep mentioned: https://theshubox.com/2024/03/blp-episode-190-the-ideal-week.html)

Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne:Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS.

Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your New Month Guide EP 218

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0000

It's (almost) a new month, and today's episode is all about THE MONTH! Sarah shares her love for the 12 natural outpoints in our year and discusses ways she loves to mark the start of a new month. She shares her monthly goal setting tactics, and how the month slots into the Nested Goals framework. She also advocates for planning in FUN on a monthly level and reveals her own very practical monthly rituals.

Jenni Kayne:Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS.

Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sept Q&A: Quintiles Idea, Annual Planning, Family Communication Tools, Extra-long Term Goals, and Studying for a Big Test (MCAT) EP 217

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares some listener tips + answers questions that came in through email or text (305-697-7189)!

Topics include:

- Fun tip for using stickers/etc acquired on vacation

- Unique Quintiles use case from Emily (http://pfforphds.com/podcast/)

- Discussion of annual planning recommendations

(note - for those that want a guided annual planning experience, BLP at Home: Planning 2025 will open for registration in October)

- Recs for a family calendar system

(note - if you love using a digital calendar display system, let me know!)

What we use:

EC Whiteboard: https://www.erincondren.com/wall-organization-center

Essential Calendar (affiliate link): https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS

- Planning super long term things (like for 1-2 years down the road)

- Studying for a big test - how to create deadlines?

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: The Q&A series is sponsored by Jenni Kayne! Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/classplans for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass!

Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Plan (and Planning!) with Kendra Adachi EP 216

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Kendra Adachi joins Sarah to chat about all things planning-adjacent including her new book, The Plan! Kendra is a NYT Bestselling author and podcaster at the Lazy Genius, and she brings her compassion and unique perspective to planning, goal setting, and time management in her latest book, The Plan. Sarah and Kendra discuss goals, compassionate planning, planning challenges women face, planning along with hormonal swings, and so much more.

Preorder The Plan wherever books are sold, and you will receive a free Pep Talk series from Kendra (either written or audio) every single Monday until the end of 2024. Find preorder bonus details and more about the book here: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/theplan

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/plansclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass!

Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mixed Bag Ep: Planner Peace, Planner News, and Dealing with Stressful / Uncertain Times EP 215

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0000

It's a Mixed Bag Ep!

In part 1, Sarah shares a Planner Peace segment from Meredith that covers multiple facets of planning - personal, family, goal setting, and life! Products mentioned are Laurel Denise, Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets, a Family Teams wall calendar, and a Hemlock & Oak Daily.

Family Teams: https://shop.familyteams.com/products/family-plan-calendar

Laurel Denise:

Hemlock & Oak:

Part 2: Planner News!

Sarah discusses some new trends in planning, including planner minimalism - as evidenced by Rochelle In Theory's recent "Hobonichi Anti-Haul" video

Other planner news:

Wild Strides Paper Co: Planner/Training Log combos for runners, by pro runner Grayson Murphy - https://wildstridespaper.com

Full Focus Wellness Planner: https://fullfocusstore.com/pages/wellness-planner/

In Part 3, Sarah provides planning-adjacent tips for buoying yourself during tough or uncertain times (perhaps a pep talk to herself!)

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/plansclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass!

Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Build More Intentionality Into Your Life EP 214

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah explores the concept of intentionality. She discussed examples and ways we can unknowingly live without much intention and then suggests strategies (large and small) to promote more intentional living.

Things to think about:

- Career autopilot/drift

- Responding to others' expectations

- Saying yes to everything

- Failing to set boundaries

- Consuming media that is served to you via algorithms

- Setting intentions for the day

- Regularly re-evaluating routines and habits

- Thinking through how you wish to spend precious resources

- Giving yourself time and space to think through your big goals!

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/plansclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass!

Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer.

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August Q&A: Inbox Zero, Big Projects, Working Speed, Mindfulness, and More! EP: 213

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0000

It's August's Q&A episode! Join Sarah as she tackles listener questions and comments. Topics include:

- an inbox zero success story

- approaching nebulous//large projects such as book writing

- what does it mean to "work faster" compared to others

- thoughts on the Organize 365 Sunday Basket system (Sarah has one!)

- teaching planning and organizing to school-aged kids

- mindfulness! How do you stay present in the moment if you're always planning the next thing?

Request - if you enjoy the show, consider subscribing + setting your podcast player to automatically download!

Episode sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout.

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mixed Bag: PTO Tracking, Post-Vacation Analysis + 2025 Planner Preview (Hobonichi + More) EP 212

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0000

It's a Mixed Bag ep! Topics covered:

1- PTO Spreadsheet - inspired by my friend Kae (gratefulkae.com)

2- Vacation Postmortem! Consider doing a post-trip analysis with a partner. Can also extend to other home areas (summer, a school year, a holiday season, etc!)

3- Two upcoming books I’m excited about - Kendra Adachi’s The Plan and Oliver Burkeman’s Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts.

4- Hobonichi Release! Their preview is at https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/magazine/2025/y25/

5- Hemlock & Oak Paper Covers!

My link: https://www.hemlockandoak.com/pages/_go_?ref=8195:338926&discount=BLP - use discount code BLP

6- Halo Planner is out! https://www.thehaloplanner.com/shopify-products/the-halo-planner-q4-2024?_kx=pEbNyEVSsMRzyt72zDDz91CczlNZdlBltKjzzraQMoUL1fg2AWRFo5wbuF5ol2IB.Vgsz5G

Note - currently it shows the price in $HK not USD, I will ask if they plan to have it show USD as well!

7- Just Scribble Planners - https://www.shopjustscribble.com

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout.

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quintile 4 + Q&A Deep Dive: Sticking to Your Plan EP 211

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode features a discussion of all things related to Quintile 4, the season after summer! Sarah features some back to school discussion, but there she also addresses some non-school-related shifts in the season as well as future planning to think about. Then, she dives into a listener query about sticking to plans -- how do you stick to your plan, and how do you avoid being reactive when tasks are coming at you throughout the day?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You Only Die Once: Mortality, Planning, and So Much More with Jodi Wellman EP 210

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah interviews Jodi Wellman on her work on mortality and how the concept of death / our finite lives can inspire living a life with vitality, meaning, and -- for lack of a better term, more "aliveness." Jodi holds a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and spent years exploring and applying these tough topics to help others with her work on Four Thousand Mondays and her recent book, You Only Die Once. Sarah and Jodi discuss memento mori, the darker side of habits and routines, and so much more.

You can find Jodi's work at fourthousandmondays.com and her book, You Only Die Once, at all major book retailers.

Other works referenced:

Oliver Burkeman, author of 4000 Weeks

TIm Urban's The Tail End: https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/12/the-tail-end.html

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout.

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best Laid Plans Academy: Honing Your Planning Systems at Every Level EP 209

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah discusses her flagship planning course, Best Laid Plans Academy, as she prepares the launch the fourth round (the first in 2024!). She discusses takeaways from prior rounds, why this material works in a course format, and shares the course topics and logistics.

To learn more, visit theshubox.com/courses; signup information will be available first to newsletter subscribers on August 1!

Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter

Episode Sponsors:

Prose Beauty: Truly customized skin and haircare. Go to prose.com/plans for 50% off your first subscription order.

Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout.

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July Q&A: Planner Peace x 2, Task Management on Paper, Notetaking, and More! EP 208

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah answers questions sent in the last month! First, she opens with two Planner Peace submissions. Then, she answers questions on task management on paper, email management (how long does it REALLY take to clear an inbox?), handling major schedule changes in an already complicated life, and notetaking.

Keep your questions coming! Submit yours at sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com!

Be on the lookout for information on Best Laid Plans Academy Fall 2024, coming next week.

Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter

Planners Mentioned:

Go Girl Planner Pro: https://gogirlplanner.com/collections/pro-planners

Laurel Denise Academic Year Vertical Weekly Planner: https://laureldenise.com/collections/2024-2025-planners

Hobonichi Weeks: https://www.jetpens.com/search?q=hobonichi+weeks&v=2

Sponsors:

Prose Beauty: Truly customized skin and haircare. Go to prose.com/plans for 50% off your first subscription order.

Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout.

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planners, Goals, and Fun with MakseLife Founder Sierra Friend EP 207

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah interviews Sierra Friend, creator and head of MakseLife, a major player in the planner universe today! She discusses how her line of planners came to be, what sets them apart in the market, her thoughts on goal setting, and much more!

Teen planning printable discussed in the episode (free!): https://makselife.com/collections/free-printables/products/goals-for-teens-free-printable

Where to find MakseLife: makselife.com

Sierra on IG: @plannerfriend

Episode Sponsors:

Prose Beauty: Truly customized skin- and haircare. Use code prose.com/plans for 50% off your first subscription order.

Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout.

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer Reading: Reading Habits, TBR Lists, Paper vs Digital, and Favorites of 2024 (so far!) EP206

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah talks all about one of her favorite hobbies -- reading! She discusses her own reading journey over the years and then talks about the practical side: reading routines, to-be-read list management, library holds, physical vs digital, abandoning books, and more! Finally, she shares her top 10 books (so far) in 2024!

Detailed show notes including book lists can be found at theshubox.com

Podcast episode mentioned on evening routine,

Episode Sponsors

Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout!

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 1 is the New January 1? Your Virtual Midyear Retreat EP 205

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares 10 questions to help you think through the rest of 2024! Sit back, grab a notebook and your favorite pens, and plan along with her -- or do a whole day of planning and dreaming at your own DIY retreat! Either way, this episode will get you inspired for your July 1st fresh start.

BOBW Midyear Check In Ep: https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/06/best-of-both-worlds-podcast-mid-year-check-in-2024/

Thoughts on Time Block Planning EP 204

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares thoughts on Time Block planning, a method suggested by Cal Newport, among others. She names pros, cons, and shares her own approach. She also discusses her recent decision to entirely eliminate Reddit scrolling from her life.

Resources:

Episode that inspired today's Time Block Planning Discussion is here:

https://www.thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/ep-305-is-time-blocking-oppressive/

Oliver Burkeman's book: 4000 Weeks

Best Today with Shunta Grant episode mentioned:

https://besttoday.co/blogs/the-best-today™-podcast/ep-171-a-pep-talk-when-youre-leaving-social-media-temporarily-or-permanently

About Progress ep mentioned (with Catherine Price as guest): https://aboutprogress.com/why-grown-ups-need-to-have-fun/

Contact:

Google voice / text - (305) 697-7189

sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

theshubox.com

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your new uniform at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout!

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Crunch Labs: Camp CrunchLabs is 12 weeks of awesome build-it-yourself fun! Go to crunchlabs.com/PLANS to sign your kids up for Camp CrunchLabs today and get 2 boxes FREE!

Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June Q + A: Working in Distracting Environments, Budget Planning, Mental Health and More EP 203

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah provides a mini life update and then answers questions that have come from listeners over the past month!

Topics/questions include:

- Tips for working in distracting conditions

- Ideas for budget planning - how does Sarah use YNAB?

- What happens when when attempted morning planning sessions get derailed (by a kid, by illness, by ??)

- Listener idea: having kids cook dinners on rotation through the summer! Fun AND educational.

- Listener feedback: discussion of how with burnout and other mental health issues, planning tools are not enough

- Ways for handling regularly occurring "abnormal weeks" - when relatives are visiting or call weeks

As mentioned, Sarah loves receiving your questions and feedback! Reach her via theshubox.com or via email (sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com) or text her via (305) 697-7189.

Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter

Links mentioned:

- BOBW episode with YNAB Founder: https://lauravanderkam.com/2021/04/best-of-both-worlds-podcast-budgets-and-more-with-ynabs-jesse-mecham/

- Getting through tough weeks: https://theshubox.com/2022/02/blp-show-notes-etc.html

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your new uniform at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout!

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Crunch Labs: Camp CrunchLabs is 12 weeks of awesome build-it-yourself fun! Go to crunchlabs.com/PLANS to sign your kids up for Camp CrunchLabs today!

Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer Ideas + Inspiration EP 202

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares some ideas and inspiration for your summer -- some of it a little bit outside of the typical (summer cleaning, anyone?).

Topics discussed:

- Sharing the load of summer planning and fun-making

- Summer checklists . . . not just for kids

- Summer fun ideas for less than ideal weather

- Summer habit / routine changes

- Summer cleaning (why is this not a thing?)

- One Big Project

- Think about when you will think about the next season

She also answers a listener question on planners that start in the summer!

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your new uniform at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout!

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Crunch Labs: Camp CrunchLabs is 12 weeks of awesome build-it-yourself fun! Go to crunchlabs.com/PLANS to sign your kids up for Camp CrunchLabs today!

Mint Mobile: To learn more about their 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning-Adjacent: A Marathon Journey EP 201

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares her recent marathon journey, from goal-setting (a looooong time ago!) to the tools and routines that supported her training to the race itself.

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your new uniform at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout!

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Crunch Labs: Camp CrunchLabs is 12 weeks of awesome build-it-yourself fun! Go to crunchlabs.com/PLANS to sign your kids up for Camp CrunchLabs today!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May Q&A: Margins, Travel, Laurel Denise Planners, and Avoiding That "Am I Missing Something?" Feeling EP 200

Mon, 27 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah answers questions + shares some listener tips sent during the month of May! Topics include:

- Laurel Denise Planners (question from a mom/healthcare provider with a lot going on!). Link to prior mini review: https://theshubox.com/2022/12/blp-ep-123-4-2023-planner-mini-reviews.html

- Travel -- packing list tips, Wanderlog app, and the resources Sarah uses most for travel planning

- Advice for a listener struggling with capturing and feeling like she is missing things

- Thoughts on brining margin into the day

Sarah mentions the 5/31 newsletter, which will contain her marathon recap + some summer planning tools! Subscribe at theshubox.com/newsletter

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans

Crunch Labs: Camp CrunchLabs is 12 weeks of awesome build-it-yourself fun! Go to crunchlabs.com/PLANS to sign your kids up for Camp CrunchLabs today!

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for two weeks of meal plans FREE!!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top 5 Things Episode (in honor of my birthday!) EP 199

Mon, 20 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares a few Top 5s, in honor of her birthday! She opens with her top 5 reasons for planning, followed by the top 5 essential elements of a funcitonal system. Finally, she gets personal and shares her top 5 hopes + dreams for the next year of life!

If you'd like to celebrate with Sarah, she would love:

- a review

- a tip on a product to review or awesome person to have on the show (just email sarah.hart.unger at gmail!)

- if you shared this episode with a friend or in a group!

The next newsletter will release May 31st - make sure you are subscribed! Visit theshubox.com/newsletter - they are always free and (hopefully) useful!!

Sponsors

Factor: Convenient, healthy and delicious meals for your busiest seasons! Head to factormeals.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next box.

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect spring pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

PrepDish: Super convenient and delicious meal plans straight to your inbox! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Using ClickUp to Organize it All with Jade Boyd EP 198

Mon, 13 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares some unexpected recent planning pivots, and then business and production coach Jade Boyd joins her to talk all things ClickUp -- in her opinion, one digital platform that can be used to organize it all. Jade also shares her love of paper as daily planning tool, the intimidation factor with digital organizing solutions, and the value of organizing work and life in one system.

More from Jade can be found at https://jadeboyd.co

Show notes: Detailed show notes + more are at theshubox.com

Newsletter: Sign up for Sarah's newsletter at theshubox.com/newsletter

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect transitional spring pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

PrepDish: Super convenient and delicious meal plans straight to your inbox! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Those Projects That Just Won't Go Away EP 197

Mon, 06 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Do you ever have a project that seems to pop up on your annual goals list year after year, but never gets done? This episode is an exploration of how to tackle these projects and goals. Sarah gets personal, sharing her own Big Daunting Projects and some questions that might be worth asking about things that show up again and again (and again) on yearly lists.

Questions to ask yourself when it comes to these big (and possibly scary, or emotionally difficulty) goals:

1. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO DO IT?

2. DO YOU HAVE TIME for said project? If so, specifically where? If you can’t come up with calendar space to work on it . . . you probably don’t have time. (Weekly template can also help with this when it comes to habits!)

a) HOW MUCH TIME would you need to work on it, estimated, to make SOMETHING happen?

b) If that's more than you have, DOES IT BELONG in someday maybe?

5. IS THERE A WAY of BRINGING IN DEADLINES even if not naturally there?

6. IS THERE A NATURAL WAY TO BREAK IT UP into less scary pieces?

7. CAN YOU MAKE IT LESS SCARY from an emotional standpoint?

8. CAN YOU GET HELP WITH IT? (Maybe even just a little bit of help?)

9. CAN YOU FIND ACCOUNTABILITY?

------------------------------------------

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect transitional spring pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

Factor: Delicious and fresh already-prepared meals delivered to your door. Head to factormeals.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next box!

PrepDish: Super convenient and delicious meal plans straight to your inbox! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Decor, Cozy Minimalism, and Creating a Functional Home with Myquillyn Smith EP 196

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a planning-adjacent topic! Sarah opens with a bit about her own decorating and organizing challenges and then interviews author Myquillyn Smith, an expert on decorating and creating functional spaces within the home.

They chat about many planning-related aspects of big home projects, including how to get started when it all seems daunting, tools for tracking home projects, and an incredibly useful framework for order of operations. Myquillyn prizes functional decorating and creating a home that truly works for then ways you use it.

Her beautiful new book, House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style, and Budget can be found wherever books are sold.

Find Myquillyn at thenester.com and @thenester on IG.

Episode Sponsors:

Factor: Visit factormeals.com/plans50 and use plans50 to get 50% off your first box, plus 20% off your next month!

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect transitional spring pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

PrepDish: Super convenient and delicious meal plans straight to your inbox! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring Planner Releases (Erin Condren, Simplified, and NOLTY) + Some Planner Switchups! EP 195

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah provides a more in-depth review of two NOLTY April-start monthly planners, and then provides updates on the latest releases from Erin Condren (some excited changes to their Daily Duo!) and Simplified (so pretty).

She then shares her own planner switchup for Spring!

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect transitional spring pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

Factor: Delicious and fresh already-prepared meals delivered to your door. Head to factormeals.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next box!

PrepDish: Super convenient and delicious meal plans straight to your inbox! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Peace: Remarkable2 + Digital/Paper Hybrid System with Erin Peth EP 194

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode features a planner peace submission that was so intriguing that it warranted an entire episode! Our listener Erin has a lot on her plate (full time job, 2 kids, volunteer work, caring for relatives, and more!) -- and she has put together and incredibly comprehensive system that brings her to a current state of Planner Peace! Rather than a stack, she's combined digital and physical elements from her favorite tools to create a streamlined system.

Products Discussed:

1) The Remarkable2 Tablet: https://remarkable.com/store/remarkable-2

2) Day Designer Monthly: https://www.bluesky.com/collections/day-designer-for-blue-sky

3) Organize 365 Sunday Basket: https://organize365.com/sunday-basket/

4) Artful Agenda (she syncs with Google Calendar): https://artfulagenda.com

5) Trello: https://trello.com

6) MaskeLife: http://makselife.com

7) Clean Mama: https://cleanmama.com

You can find Erin (and submit questions to her directly!) through her family's photography account, @lukepearson.photography !

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect transitional spring pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

Factor: Delicious and fresh already-prepared meals delivered to your door. Head to factormeals.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next box!

PrepDish: Super convenient and delicious meal plans straight to your inbox! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks, FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April Q&A + Listener Tips: A Tool for ADHD/Time-Blindness, Repurposing Unused Planners, 5-Year Journals, Life Planning Workbooks, and More EP 193

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Welcome to April's Q&A/Tips episode!

Sarah shares a brief recap of her family vacation (and getting back into life!) and then brings April's Q&A + Tips.

Topics:

1) Quarters in the Southern Hemisphere - an Australian listener reports back!

2) Cool idea for repurposing an unused planner into a paper Second Brain/Collections Notebook/Master Planner

3) App rec for routine building for those with ADHD/time blindness: Brili https://brili.com

4) 5 Year Journal Recs

Midori: https://www.jetpens.com/Midori-5-Year-Diary-Embroidered-Beige/pd/29115

Hobonichi: https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/5year/

Unbound: https://unboundplanner.com/products/five-year-journal

Levenger: https://www.levenger.com/collections/journals/products/5-year-journal?variant=43396629627029#

5) Convincing others to plan and work on routines in a household with multiple members that have ADHD

6) Listener feedback with ideas for planning an international move - use time horizon AND category and try a shared list platform!

7) Idea for life planning workbook for the listener in career transition: The Silk & Sonder Life Workbook: https://www.silkandsonder.com/products/life-workbook

Find show notes + contact info at theshubox.com

Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect transitional spring pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

Factor: Delicious and fresh already-prepared meals delivered to your door. Head to factormeals.com/plans50 and use code shu50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next box!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travel Thoughts & Tips EP 192

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Happy new quarter or quintile!!

Today's episode is travel-inspired because Sarah will be returning from a family trip just before it airs. In today's episode, she shares her current travel planning strategies as a parent of kids who are now at ages that are pretty easy to travel with (6, 10, and about-to-be 12!).

She covers her use of Apple Notes as a useful second brain for travel and shares her appreciation for down time and reservations on vacation!

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect transitional spring pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

Factor: Delicious and fresh already-prepared meals delivered to your door. Head to factormeals.com/plans50 and use code shu50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next box!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring Planner Reviews: Small Niche Brands! EP 191

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah reviews 3 planners from small business - one of them so small it hasn't been released yet!

The planners are:

1) The Halo Planner by Rebecca Brosnan, thehaloplanner.com (shop not open yet, but will be soon) - quarterly gridded planner with a ton of features and both daily + weekly layouts

2) Biz Mom Planner by Tiffani - she describes her business as "woman, minority, and mama-owned"! Hand made small batch disc-bound planners, very open ended and undated, thick luxurious-feeling paper. Great for a fresh start and lots of space to write!

https://www.bizmomplannerco.com/ -- code BLP20 will give you 20% off

3) Grow & Flourish Planner by Laura Millat, creator of The Girly Homesteader - she shares her own planner peace and her Grow & Flourish planner for gardeners + homesteaders!

You can find it at https://www.thegirlyhomesteader.com/links

Additional mentions:

She Plans - sample inserts https://sheplans.com/products/sample-pack-plan-your-way-discbound-inserts

Field Notes

NOLTY and April-start Hobonichi now available at Jetpens!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks free!

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect winter pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

CONTACT:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Ideal Week EP 190

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is devoted to the Ideal Week exercise, a practice where you put your ideal week onto paper (or screen) using an hourly format. This can be done on paper using a template or an old vertical weekly planner, or on screen via an electronic calendar or even by writing on a pdf using an app.

Sarah discusses nuances of this exercise, components she includes, and variations on the idea (Ideal Month, anyone?).

A free ideal week template was included in the March newsletter - if you'd like a copy, feel free to send an email to sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks free!

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect winter pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

CONTACT:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your Spring: Quintile 2 Planning Deep Dive EP 189

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March Q&A: Planning in Career Transitions, Morning Planning, and Organizing Tasks Around a Big Move or Other Life Shift EP 188

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the March Q&A Episode! Topics discussed:

- Recommendations for planning and visioning during a job transition phase?

- Organizing the many layers of tasks around a big international move

- Follow up: Organizing kids' clothes - some tips from listener Sarah K!

- Quintiles - do you divide the year evenly?

- Details on morning planning sessions

- Listener suggestion: Sunday Basket system (Organize 365) for corralling tasks

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Check out their new PROTEIN BOOST menus! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks free!

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect winter pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

CONTACT:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Sign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletter

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Friend Double Interview with Amanda's Favorites! EP 187

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Today is a departure from the typical BLP format - in today's special edition episode, Sarah joins Amanda of Amanda's Favorites both via audio and on YouTube (view the video version on Amanda's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEd0U-Hl3ZI ).

The two hosts interview each other about a wide array of topics, from daily life to designing their dream planner!

Link to Amanda's prior interview on BLP: https://theshubox.com/2021/08/show-notes-best-laid-plans-x-amandas-favorites.html

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Now with new option for PROTEIN BOOST menus! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks free!

Jenni Kayne: Find perfect winter pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

Green Chef: The #1 meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/60plans and use code 60plans to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep Dive: Handling Life's Minutiae EP 186

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Today's deep dive episode was inspired by a listener question below:

"I’m so curious how you handle all the minutia and small to-dos of daily life. I have 3 kids, a full-time in-office job, and also have a side hustle crafting-based business. It seems like there are constantly people to coordinate with for kids, teacher emails that should be read, game schedules to add to the calendar, meals to plan, groceries to order, other items (household/clothing) that need to be purchased, etc. and I’m feeling suuuuuper overwhelmed with it all."

Sarah shares her task capture tactics including a list of examples and how she would handle each task (from bring the sports snack to overdue library books and more!).

She also reveals some details about BLP Live, which will be held November 7 - 9 in Fort Lauderdale again! Signup info will be in her newsletter, which you can find at theshubox.com/newsletter!!

SPONSORS:

Jenni Kayne: Find your new uniform pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

Green Chef: The #1 meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/60plans and use code 60plans to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months

CONTACT:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Sign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletter

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thoughts on Resting Well EP 185

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0000

We all need rest. How can you ensure that you give yourself the gift of rest when you need it?

Sarah suggests planning for it can help, among other things! Today's episode is dedicated to all things rest as Sarah discusses her need for a 'down month' and discusses ways to truly rest well even with the challenges of work, kids, and more.

Books Mentioned:

Real Self Care by Pooja Lakshmin

Do Nothing by Jenny Odell

Wintering by Katherine May

Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey

A Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler

Website Mentioned: https://optimisticmusings.com/my-year-of-shmita-january-recap/

SPONSORS:

Jenni Kayne: Find your new uniform pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

Green Chef: The #1 meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/60plans and use code 60plans to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months

CONTACT:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Sign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletter

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February Q&A: Checklists, Business, Inbox Zero, Email Management + More EP 184

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0000

It's a Q&A episode! Sarah tackles listener questions sent in over the previous month. Topics include:

1) Update on formalizing the task management of household (vs work) projects

2) Thoughts on Atul Gawande's The Checklist Manifesto

3) "Can you talk about busyness?"

4) 100 Dream List - what is it, and where to keep?

5) Planning-adjacent ideas for managing kids' clothes

6) Inbox Zero methodology

7) Planning/task and data management for a new family medical diagnosis

8) How to balance goal setting with flexibility?

SPONSORS:

Jenni Kayne: Find your new uniform pieces at at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

Green Chef: The #1 meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/60plans and use code 60plans to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months

CONTACT:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Sign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletter

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding Digital Planner Peace with Kaelyn Lopez EP 183

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Sarah loves paper planners but there are so many people out there planning effectively with digital tools - and it was time to interview one of them! In this episode, Sarah interviews her friend Kaelyn Lopez (Kae, an RN working in transplant coordination and mother of 2 who blogs at gratefulkae.com ) for this episode because Kae has gradually shifted to an entirely digital planning system that is both functional and fun. She shares her system in detail in this conversational episode!

Her primary tools: Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Tasks

Seconary tools: Google Keep, Google Drive, Google Sheets/Docs

Kae also shares her unique long-term time/life tracking system based in Sheets.

You can find more from Kae at gratefulkae.com

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Treat yourself to a piece of clothing that will last at jennikayne.com. Use code PLANS at checkout to get 15% off your first order and support the show!

PrepDish: Now with new option for PROTEIN BOOST menus! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks free!

Green Chef: The #1 meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/60plans and use code 60plans to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January Update + Deep Dive into Nested Goal Setting EP 182

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares how her year is shaping up so far, including a report on her planner choices for the year. Then, the episode is devoted to a deep dive into Nested Goal Setting - her method for setting goals and identifying tasks based on time horizon from daily to yearly. She reviews her methodology in detail and answers common questions from "wait, isn't that a LOT of time spent planning?" to those about which tools she uses and when to refer to each list.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January Q&A: Task Management, Project Management for Home Tasks, Negative Goals, and Building a Seasonal Reference Planner EP 181

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares some listener suggestions/feedback and then delves into January's listener questions -- many around goal setting and task management (it is January, after all)!

References:

Julie Morganstern's Time to Parent: https://www.juliemorgenstern.com/time-to-parent

The Eisenhower Matrix (James Clear's take): https://jamesclear.com/eisenhower-box

Cal Newport episode: From Chaos to Calm in One Day - https://www.thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/ep-277-from-chaos-to-calm-in-1-day/

Contact Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Sign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletter

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Our listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

Green Chef: The #1 meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/60plans and use code 60plans to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months!!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoying Media (The Non-Social Kind!) EP 180

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is all about media consumption and ways to really get the most out of the content we choose to immerse ourselves in! Sarah provides several tips for enjoying and curating media, from recording to increase awareness to partnering up to taking notes.

REQUEST: Please send guest and topic ideas! Sarah wants to make 2024's Best Laid Plans episodes the most fun and useful yet!

Contact Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Sign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletter

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Our listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

Green Chef: The #1 meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/60plans and use code 60plans to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months!!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year! 2024 Goals EP 179

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0000

This episode airs on 1/1/24 - a new day, week, month, quintile, and year!! On this special day, Sarah discusses her own annual goal-setting processes this year, and then shares her own list of goals for 2024!

These include goals in her 5 chosen domains: PERSONAL / RELATIONSHIPS / HOUSEHOLD / CLINICAL WORK / CREATIVE WORK.

Please send your ideas for 2024 guests and topics -- hoping for a great year on the podcast!

NOTE: Planning By Season - a yearlong seasonal planning course - will be open for registration until the morning of 1/4/24.

Find details here: http://theshubox.com/courses

Contact Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Sign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletter

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Our listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout.

Green Chef: The #1 meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/60plans and use code 60plans to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months!!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2023: Favorites, Hits & Misses EP 178

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares her 2023 favorites (book / movie / music / planning tools!) and then share which goals came to fruition and which did not. She also discusses the merits of setting goals without expecting that every single one of them will be reached.

Contact Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

PrepDish: Healthy, convenient and strategic menu plans delivered to your inbox each week!! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks, free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2024 is Coming: Annual Goals + Resolutions EP 177

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah provides an overview of why annual goals make sense and why she doesn't love the word "resolutions". She delves into the different types of goals one might consider setting, and shares some of the most common goals set in 2023. Finally, she details when and how you might hold your own annual goal setting session.

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Earth Breeze: Ditch messy liquid laundry detergent + get started with Earth Breeze and save forty percent! Visit earthbreeze.com/plans for 40% off of a new subscription.

Cloth & Paper: Cloth & Paper makes luxe planning essentials with a beautiful minimal aesthetic. Visit clothandpaper.com and use code BESTLAIDPLANS to receive a FREE España Spiral Notebook in size CP Petite with any purchase of $50 or more!

Contact Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Leave me a review if you can! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December Q&A: Thought Capture Overload, Weekly/Monthly Planning, Work + Post-Baby Goal-setting, and Hobonichi Setup! EP 176

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares two listener submissions for Word of the Year (one from Australia and one from Scotland!) and then dive into some listener questions!

Topics include:

1) Capture Overload

2) End-of-residency Planning - Lack of Motivation to Set Work Goals

3) Organization of weekly / monthly / quintile goals lists

4) Post-baby planning - how to divide the year?

5) Hobonichi setup tips!

Planning By Season is open for registration - this is Sarah's structured seasonal goal setting experience taking place throughout 2024! Visit theshubox.com/courses for details.

SPONSORS

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Earth Breeze: Ditch messy liquid laundry detergent + get started with Earth Breeze and save forty percent! Visit earthbreeze.com/plans for 40% off of a new subscription.

Contact:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Leave me a review if you can! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2024 Planner Stack & More! EP 175

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares how she used her 2023 planners and then unveils her 2023 planner stack!!

Products Mentioned:

Hobonichi Cousin Avec

Hobonichi A6 Original

Cloth & Paper Disc-Bound Half-Letter

Hobonichi 5 Year Journal

Ashley Shelly Monthly (Amanda's Favorites Collab)

BLP NEWS:

- Planning By Season (seasonal planning sessions) and Digital Detox 2.0 are open for registration! Visit theshubox.com/courses for details!

- GIVEAWAYS on theshubox.com this week - just enter your name in the comments for a chance to win one of the 2024 planners I ordered to review!

Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Earth Breeze: Ditch messy liquid laundry detergent + get started with Earth Breeze and save forty percent! Visit earthbreeze.com/plans for 40% off of a new subscription.

PrepDish: Healthy, convenient and strategic menu plans delivered to your inbox each week!! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks, free!

Contact:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Leave me a review if you can! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Digital Detox Lessons, Yearly Themes, Seasonal Planning + More EP 174

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah shares lessons learned from the Digital Detox program, thoughts on a word for the year (2024!), and discusses her upcoming Seasonal Planning sessions.

For detailed information + registration for Digital Detox (Jan/Feb) and Planning by Season in 2024, make sure you are subscribed to her monthly newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter -- all details will be released 12/1.

Prior episode mentioned: Heart to Heart Screen Time Talk, ep #43 - https://theshubox.com/2023/04/ep-143-heart-to-heart-screen-time-thoughts.html

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Green Chef: For Green Chef’s best deal of the year, get $250 off with code plans250 at greenchef.com/plans250

Stay in Touch!

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meal Planning + More with Meghan Splawn from Didn't I Just Feed You EP 173

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Today's planning adjacent topic is something we all have to contend with: meal planning! Meghan Splawn is an expert on this topic and she chats with Sarah about her peaceful meal planning ritual, ways to handle busy weeknights, favorite kitchen gadgets + more!

Didn't I Just Feed You Amazon Shop

Find more from Meghan and listen to Didn't I Just Feed You at http://didntijustfeedyou.com

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: For Green Chef’s best deal of the year, get $250 off with code plans250 at greenchef.com/plans250

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Check out their gorgeous fall offerings in both apparel and home goods -- upgrade your wardrobe or buy a truly standout gift for someone deserving in your life. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

More Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Info on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/courses

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November Q&A! Health/fitness goals, Starting a Planning Habit, Goal-setting Planners, and Planning the Holidays EP 172

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Sarah opens by chatting about her experiences at BLP Live - it was an amazing weekend! Then, she goes through November Q&A - manny questions are centered around goal setting, as it's that time of year (yes, already!).

Topics:

1- Abandoning certain goals around weight fitness - what to do?

2- Planning ahead of the current quintile

3- Goal-setting planner recommendations (brands mentioned: MakseLife, Full Focus, Erin Condren, Cultivate What Matters/PowerSheets)

4- What is the first tiny step you would recommend re: starting a planning habit?

5- Thoughts on planning for fitness (different angle than Q10

6- To-do vs task vs goal vs project

7- How do you find the time for your monthly and quintile planning?

8- Holiday planning thoughts?

-------------------

More Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Green Chef: For Green Chef’s best deal of the year, get $250 off with code plans250 at greenchef.com/plans250

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FAQs: Thing That Get Asked a Lot! EP 171

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

There are certain things listeners (or just random people in Sarah's life) inquire about over and over again, and today she attempts to give all the answer! Find out her answers to things like:

- What is the weird habit bar at the top of your planner page?

- How can you use paper when things change so much?

- Isn't it confusing using multiple planners?

- How can use paper + still communicate with your partner about events?

- How can you convince your husband to do a 'planning retreat'?

- What are your absolute favorite pens?

. . . and more!

Note - Plan your 2024 - Best Laid Plans at Home is 60% full! If you'd like to join Sarah for a fun and comprehensive annual planning experience, register now at theshubox.com/courses

More Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Green Chef: For Green Chef’s best deal of the year, get $250 off with code plans250 at greenchef.com/plans250

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Sarah Plans Her Life: RE-AIR with new Intro EP 170

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

SHU here - hi everyone! Even though I almost never run 're-airs', I've had a really tough week (suffered some injuries, but on the mend) and decided to bring back one of my favorite and most popular episodes for this week. I hope you enjoy it!

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Green Chef: For Green Chef’s best deal of the year, get $250 off with code plans250 at greenchef.com/plans250

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2024 Planner Reviews x 3! Passionate Penny Pincher, Sprouted, and Pen + Pillar EP 169

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah brings a fresh new batch of 2024 planner review with this episode, all of which were suggested by listeners!

All planners were purchased by Sarah; links are not affiliate. Please keep in touch and let her know what else you'd like to see reviewed as we approach the peak of planner-buying season!

1) Passionate Penny Pincher: Is it a planner, or a lifestyle? Sarah is pretty sure it's both and perhaps not geared to HER lifestyle, but there is a lot to unpack (and maybe it is a fit for you).

Link: https://shop.passionatepennypincher.com/products/monthly-weekly-year-home-planner?variant=41718717055020

2) Pen & Pillar: Sustainably made in the US, this weekly planner has plenty of space to track habits, routines + goals.

Link: https://penandpillar.com/products/wildland-weekly-planner

3) Sprouted Hourly Planner: This hardback lay-flat planner features a vertical layout with a LOT of task management space and blank pages. An excellent option for someone looking for lots of goal/task management space that also wants to use their planner as a calandar/time map.

Link: https://sproutedplanner.com/collections/hourly-planners

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Sustainable and effective detergent sheets. Go to earthbreeze.com/plans for 40% off of your subscription!

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Podcast info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Plan your 2024 - Best Laid Plans at Home! theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inputs, Reactivity & Interruptions EP 168

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

It's a planner-adjacent episode today! Sarah muses and discusses the inputs which shape our lives and give us things to react to -- some which comes from external sources, and many which come from within!

She discusses the balance between proactivity and reactivity (including the acknowledgement that some reactivity is unavoidable!), the ways we get interrupted and interrupt ourselves, and how we might consider changing things to feel less fragmented and overstimulated.

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Sustainable and effective detergent sheets. Go to earthbreeze.com/plans for 40% off of your subscription!

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Podcast info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Plan your 2024 - Best Laid Plans at Home! theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October Q&A! Planner Matchmaking x 3, Planning Retreats, Monthly Planning Timing, Switching Planners, and Bag Discussion EP 167

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah does some planner matchmaking and answers listeners' questions! Products mentioned:

- Master-sized Leuchtturm

- XL Moleskine

- Nuuna weekly diary L

- Simplified Dapper Desk + Simplified Daily

- Stalogy notebooks

- Ashley Shelly Daily

Question topics:

1. When do you take your planner with you? How do you avoid disaster (ie, water bottle spills)?

2. When to conduct a monthly planning session when the month doesn't fit neatly into the week?

3. How to manage switching planners without losing important info?

4. Tips for a partner planning retreat

Best Laid Plans Live, Planning 2024 is open for registration -- visit theshubox.com/courses for details.

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Earth Breeze: Sustainable and effective laundry detergent sheets! Visit earthbreeze.com/plans to save 40%.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Overwhelmed? Don't Abandon Planning! EP 166

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah was inspired by a question she received at a presentation she was giving to discuss the feeling of overwhelm, and how (at least sometimes!) planning can be helpful during those times, even when it can feel extraneous or like something we don't have time for. She also discusses what to do if the more elaborate planning systems (such as her Nested Goals Method) feel overwhelming at the start.

Finally, Sarah announces the online version of Best Laid Plans Live, Planning 2024! Visit theshubox.com/courses for details.

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fall Planner Reviews: Archer & Olive, Cal Newport's Time Block V2, and What I'm Using Now EP 165

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah reviews two new or updated planners:

1) Archer + Olive's Dated Wellness Planner

2) Cal Newport's Time-Block Planner V2.0

She also shares her current planner -- which is a bit full circle! She also shares information on Best Laid Plans Live - Planning 2024, since registration for this live event in South Florida closes October 3rd!

Visit theshubox.com/courses for more details, and make sure you are subscribed to theshubox.com/newsletter for information on the home edition of this course, which will run in December + January!

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Green Chef: Clean eating with ingredients shipped directly to your door. Go to GreenChef.com/60plans and use code 60dtt to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September Q&A: Planning "Syllabus", Planner Conferences, Teaching Kids to Use Planners, Pregnancy Planners, Daily Planners without Timeslots + More! EP 164

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah tackles 5 listener questions and provides two pieces of listener feedback!

Question topics:

1) Planners to Track/Memory-Keep in Pregnancy

2) Daily planners without a timeline

3) Teaching kids to plan

4) Planner conferences (ie, Go Wild and others)

5) Concept of "syllabus" for your planning

Feedback:

1) Help for the Passion Planner user a bit embarrassed by her planner (but otherwise loves it)

2) Support for the mom with young kids undergoing multiple life transitions and her frustration with needing to 'plan better'

Keep the questions coming!!

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Green Chef: Clean eating with ingredients shipped directly to your door. Go to GreenChef.com/60plans and use code 60dtt to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Contact:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Teachers Plan + How Can Students Plan from a Teacher's Perspective EP 163

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The teacher planning episode is here! This episode opens with clips and tips from veteran teachers who share their planning tips and favorite products. Then, Sarah speaks with Hannah Taylor, an online history teacher with a passion for helping students plan well, no matter what their educational environment (virtual, home, or in-person).

Hannah discusses techniques and ideas for getting middle and high schoolers to plan well, with some thoughts on how parents can be involved -- but still promote independence.

Hannah can be found at www.HannahJTaylor.com and on Instagram @buildingasocialstudieslibrary

Thanks again to Robyn, Kelly, Cynthia, Jesse, and Sarah (TX) for sharing their knowledge!

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Green Chef: Clean eating with ingredients shipped directly to your door. Go to GreenChef.com/60plans and use code 60dtt to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Contact:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top Work Tips (Planning-Adjacent!) EP 162

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this planning adjacent episode timed especially for Labor Day, Sarah shares her favorite work tips, from strategizing to use vacation time well to creating an effective email strategy. Also: avoid bad pens at all cost :)

Episode Sponsors:

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Green Chef: Clean eating with ingredients shipped directly to your door. Go to GreenChef.com/60plans and use code 60dtt to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Contact:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hobonichi 2024 + Best Laid Plans Academy Round 3 EP 161

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah talks all about the Hobonichi 2024 release, including what she loves about these planners, changes for this year, and more. She then discusses several Hobonichi-inspired brands, including:

Aura Estelle: https://www.auraestelle.com

Wonderland 222: https://wonderland222.com

Sterling Ink: https://sterling-ink.com

She then discusses the next round of Best Laid Plans Academy, sharing several testimonials from the last round and explaining the structure + goals of the program.

Registration will be offered initially via the newsletter so please subscribe at theshubox.com/newsletter if you'd like to have the first opportunity to sign up!

Sponsors:

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Green Chef: Clean eating with ingredients shipped directly to your door. Go to GreenChef.com/60plans and use code 60dtt to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Contact:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning x Crafts: Planning to Enjoy the Hobbies You Love with Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life EP 160

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Sherri McConnell shares her patterns, techniques, and so much more at A Quilting Life -- and one of her passions is to help those who love quilting to find time to truly enjoy their hobby and craft! She chats with Sarah about her journey in crafting, the quilting planner she designed herself (!!)), and her suggestions for those looking to find more time to enjoy the things they love. Sherri is also a Best Laid Plans Academy member - she participated in the Spring 2023 cohort and some of her favorite things about the program!

Note: Best Laid Plans Academy Round 3 will open for registration September 1, with first signup access via the newsletter! Subscribe at https://theshubox.com/newsletter

Where to Find Sherri: Website: https://www.aquiltinglife.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AQuiltingLife

Her planner at Target: https://www.target.com/p/a-quilting-life-planner-and-workbook-by-sherri-l-mcconnell-spiral-bound/

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Liquid-free laundry detergent! Go earthbreeze.com/plans to get started and receive 40% off your new subscription!

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE

Vivaia: Comfortable, beautiful, and sustainable shoes! Go to vivaia.com to get 15% off your purchase with the code PLANS

Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off the first order by using code PLANS at checkout!

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quintile 4: Guide to Planning and Thinking Through the Season EP 159

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah provides a guide to planning + thinking through Quintile 4! She touches on all aspects of planning this back-to-school season which can be jarring and a lot of moving parts for many! Consider listening to this with your notebook or laptop and pausing to start your own planning process.

Note: If you are interested in more in-depth seasonal planning sessions with Sarah in the future, Best Laid Plans: Planning Your Seasons will be launching in 2024, with registration opening in October. To be among the initial group notified be sure to join Sarah's newsletter (theshubox.com/newsletter).

Episode Sponsors:

Vivaia: Beautiful, comfortable, and sustainable footwear. Go to vivaia.com to get 15% off your purchase with the code PLANS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August Q&A: Planning in Challenging Life Phases, Planner Rec for 2 Teen Boys, Big Weekly Planners, Dangling Task Management, Planner-Shy, and More! EP 158

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this Q&A episode, Sarah provides her take on listener questions:

Q1: Planning during challenging life phases

Q2: Back to school planner recs for a pair of teen brothers

Q3: Planner matchmaking for a WFH mother seeking a BIG planner to manage both work, home tasks + homeschooling

Q4: Dangling tasks

Q5: Planner recs for a listener who loves BUT is embarrassed by her planner!

She also features several listener tips + follow ups from past episodes!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Vivaia: Comfortable, beautiful, and sustainable shoes! Go to vivaia.com to get 15% off your purchase with the code PLANS

CONTACT INFO:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Organize 365 x Best Laid Plans: Lisa Woodruff Interviews Sarah for the Back to School Blitz EP 157

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a little bit of a departure from the regular format - Sarah shares an interview Lisa Woodruff did with her for the Organize 365 Back to School Blitz! She discusses some of her favorite basic tips for planning (quintiles, retreats, routines + more) and they delve into some planning basics for the back to school season - coming sooner than we think :)

You can find Lisa (and sign up for her free Back to School Blitz!) at organize365.com.

Episode Sponsors:

VIVAIA: Comfortable, stylish, and sustainable footwear in styles that wlll take you everywhere! Go to vivaia.com to get 15% off your purchase with the code PLANS

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

CONTACT + Info:

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily Rituals + 3 Mini-Reviews: Passion Planner, Rad & Happy, and Performance Lab's Focus Planner EP 156

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In part 1 of today's episode, Sarah presents 3 mini-reviews -- clearing out her to-be-reviewed stash!

1) Rad & Happy undated weekly planner

2) Passion Planner academic weekly + erasable pens

3) Performance Lab's Focus Planner (Australia)

Visit the show notes on theshubox.com if you are interested in winning one of these planners - just leave a comment in the show notes!

In part 2, Sarah discusses daily rituals and how they help establish self-efficacy. She then inventories her own list of current daily tasks + rituals. Things to consider:

- What do you currently do daily? What is on autopilot, and what is purposeful?

- Anything to add / take out? When do you audit your own daily habits + rituals?

- How do you handle it when you miss a day?

EPISODE SPONSOR:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!

CONTACT INFO:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Decluttering, Organizing, and Stuff: Past, Present, and Future EP 155

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah discusses the planning-adjacent topic of organizing and curating our spaces and stuff. She shares her history with organizing (being organized + clearing clutter has not always been a personal strength!) and prior influences, from Marie Kondo to Lisa Woodruff. Finally, she discusses her current challenges and plans to gradually work on further organizing and decluttering her home and spaces.

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!

Contact Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/courses

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July Q&A: Getting Started with Longer-Team Goal Setting, Paper 101, Planner for a Nontraditional Student, Erasable Pens & More EP 154

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this Q&A, Sarah answers questions about:

1) Becoming more comfortable with setting longer term (monthly, seasonal, yearly) goals

Interested in setting your 2024 yearly goals with Sarah in FL? Visit: https://theshubox.com/courses

2) Paper sizes, weights, and pen types! (Paper Planner 101!)

Reference: https://goldspot.com/blogs/magazine/notebook-sizes-compared-and-explained

3) Planner matchmaking: "I am about to start medical school in July. I am a non traditional student so I will have a per diem job, family, pets, and other life obligations going on. I am looking for a planner recommendation that can fit all aspects of life!"

4) Erasable pen tip: Legami (and Passion Planner)

Legami on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/legami_milano_erasable_pen

5) Time OFF between jobs - thoughts on what to do!

-------------------------------------

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real-Life Planner Interview: Stacy Mellem and her Franklin-Covey Journey EP 153

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah interviews Stacy Mellem, a devoted Franklin-Covey user for over 30 years! Stacy shares how she's made the system work for her over the years, and why she believes planning is still important in retirement (or what she refers to as her "jubilacion" (the Spanish word for retirement, which really does sound better!).

Franklin-Covey Planners: https://store.franklinplanner.com (this podcast is not affiliated, just including as reference!)

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer Adventures in Disc-Bound Planning - Inkwell Press EP:152

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah discusses her prior hesitancy around planners with rings and discs, and then delves into her current unexpected love for the Inkwell Press Disc Bound Planner with 2023-24 inserts, as well as the advantages that come with a planner where everything is movable!

Products mentioned:

Cover - hard cardboard or vegan leather

Weekly inserts (vertical or horizontal layouts) - 140 lb paper, bright white, colorful but professional/muted color palette

Daily inserts

Blank inserts

Poly monthly dividers

Discs (metal)

Referral code: http://r.sloyalty.com/r/wAyhU90GQyUr --> this should provide $10 off any order of $50 or more; referrer will receive a small credit with each order.

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer Goals Revisited, Review of Mark's Monthly, and Photo Management Follow Up EP 151

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah revisits her own summer planning and discusses how she shifted her goals to reflect current priorities and time pressure. She reminds listeners that sometimes planning can mean downshifting in one area to focus on another, and that while we can do a lot - we cannot focus on every area at once.

Then, a mini-review of the Mark's Log Diary from JetPens. This book is super cute and has some unique features, but those with large handwriting may want to avoid!

JetPens Chat GPT video mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mO35uSMkFA

Finally, 3 listeners share tips on organizing photos + digital memories, from daily pruning to Chatbooks to Miss Freddy.

Episode Sponsors:

King Jim: The most amazing modern label maker, the TEPRA Lite! You can order directly from their site at kingjim.us and shipping is free over $75, or you can check out their store on Amazon.

Jenni Kayne: Classic, cool, and comfortable - truly luxurious pieces that last! Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2023: Life + Planning Updates (Where It Started / How It's Going) EP 150

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Life update episode! Sarah shares what is going well this year, and things that have been more challenging -- plus an update on which of her 2023 planners are still in use at the almost-6-month mark!

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Liquidless earth-friendly detergent sheets! Right now, listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/plans to get started

Jenni Kayne: Classic, cool, and comfortable - truly luxurious pieces that last! Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout!

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! I LOVE not having to create a menu every week, and the prep instructions make getting dinner on the table each night easy. We use PrepDish almost every week (the Super Fast menu)! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Contact Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Keeping Track of Health-Details, Photo & Memory Organization, Planners for Kids, and Planning on the Fly EP 149

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

It's a June Q&A episode!

Questions:

1- Small portable planner to track migraine-related details?

2- Ways to deal with photos + memory keeping (esp with a newborn)?

3- Planner/collection system to deal with family's increasingly complex medical needs? (Mentioned: https://www.jetpens.com/Lihit-Lab-Bloomin-Pocket-Folder-A4-8-Pockets-Pure-Blue/pd/33404; Organize 365 Warrior Mama Binder)

4- Recs for kids' planners for school (if the school doesn't hand one out)

5- Dealing with planning paradox of a blank mind when trying to plan but a million details to capture while on the go

6- Recommendation for great PAPER to print out pdf discbound planner sheets? (Requesting listener input!!)

Resources:

Courses: theshubox.com/courses for info on Digital Detox + Best Laid Plans LIve

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Liquidless earth-friendly detergent sheets! Right now, listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/plans to get started

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for eating well. Go to GreenChef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping

Contact Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer Planning: From Travel to Reading to Special Summer Vibes, plus Introducing the Digital Detox Mini-Course EP 148

Mon, 29 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

This episode is all about the ways we might think about planning and curating our summers, from travel to reading lists to work projects to media and more.

In addition, Sarah announces the launch of her Digital Detox Mini-Course! This is a 4 week course designed to help you change your screen time habits. If you are fighting digital distractions and spending more time on screens than you want to, this course is for you.

Find out more and register for the Digital Detox Mini-Course at http://theshubox.com/courses

Episodes Mentioned:

1) Plan Your Summer 2022

2) Heart to Heart Screen Time Talk

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Liquidless earth-friendly detergent sheets! Right now, listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/plans to get started

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for eating well. Go to GreenChef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping

Contact Info:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Habits, Intention and Overcoming Perfectionism with Monica Packer EP 147

Mon, 22 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this month's guest episode, Sarah chats with Monica Packer about habit formation, perfectionism, self-compassion, and more. Monica is the host of the About Progress podcast as well as a coach and mother of 5, from ages 3 months to 11!

You can find Monica's work here: https://aboutprogress.com

Thanks to Jenny Eversole from Style Space (https://stylespace.com) for connecting Monica + me!

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Liquidless earth-friendly detergent sheets! Right now, listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/plans to get started

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for eating well. Go to GreenChef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping

King Jim Tepra Lite Label Maker: So easy, streamlined + fast. This will change how you feel about label makers! Check it out: https://kingjim.us/tepra-lite, or visit the King Jim shop on Amazon.

Get In Touch:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Condren + The Productivity Planner: Two Spring Planner Reviews! EP 146

Mon, 15 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

This episode starts with two follow ups:

1- Follow up to the listener wanting a potentially custom planner with to do/timeline on left and notes on right:

Passion Planner Daily:
Etsy as a great place to purchase custom sheets or pdf layouts
Or, make templates yourself -- check out courses on creating printables from Lindsay Ashworth (atouchofla.com/learn)

2- Follow up on the heart to heart screen time episode

(Episode is here: https://theshubox.com/2023/04/ep-143-heart-to-heart-screen-time-thoughts.html)

3- Review #1: The Productivity Planner

1-3-5 System description is here: https://www.lifehack.org/913627/1-3-5-year-plan

Productivity Planner, Quarterly: https://www.intelligentchange.com/collections/productivity/products/quarterly-productivity-planner

4- Review #2: Erin Condren Life Planner 2023-24 Launch

Sarah's pick: Inspire Edition / Vegan Leather Cover / Hourly Layout

Referral link to use if you'd like to support BLP: https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/sarahhartunger/1

-------------------------

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Liquidless earth-friendly detergent sheets! Right now, listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/plans to get started

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for eating well. Go to GreenChef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping

--------------------------

Get In Touch:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Efficiency Tips for Health Care Providers EP 145

Mon, 08 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episodes, Sarah shares tips + tricks she's learned over the years (from residency training to her current role as practicing physician) to help increase efficiency in her healthcare role.

From charting to managing synchronous chat messages to communicating results, she covers several practices she has used to increase her engagement and allow for more time/focus on patients (and less on the EMR!).

Please note, this are her own personal experiences and should not be construed as medical advice.

Episode Sponsors:

Earth Breeze: Liquidless earth-friendly detergent sheets! Right now, listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/plans to get started

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for eating well. Go to GreenChef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping

Get In Touch:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Custom Planners, Sarah's Ideal Planner, Podcast Recs + More! EP 144

Mon, 01 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

It's a Q&A episode!

1- A listener is looking for a custom planner that has schedule on the left / space on the right.

Options Mentioned: Agendio, Personal Planner, Plum Paper, and Golden Coil, plus Full Focus as a non-custom option that might meet her specifications.

2- Male listener notes that planning seems to skew female - why? Not sure, but Sarah thinks everyone can benefit from planning. Plus, he notes the value of the planning process vs the plan itself. Very wise!

3- A listener emails asking Sarah to describe her dream planner! (Could it ever happen? Maybe?)

4- Listener texts to ask for podcast recs - Sarah shares her favorites in several categories.

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for eating well. Go to GreenChef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping.

Earth Breeze: Liquidless earth-friendly detergent sheets! Right now, listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/plans to get started

Get In Touch:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heart to Heart Screen Time Talk. EP: 143

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah brings her honest thoughts about screen time to this heart-to-heart episode. First, she shares two valuable listener perspectives:

1) Rachel in Wales, who spent a month without a smartphone and was converted permanently: http://www.rachelinwales.com/2022/10/analogue-august-month-or-14-without.html

2) Leslie, a self-described "mid/later-life" yogi who always has thoughtful perspectives on all things planning-adjacent

Then, she delves into her own thoughts, from screen time as a spectrum (from angry social media battles to instructional YouTube) to its insidious slot-machine-like temptations and tendency to crowd out the rest of life if we let it.

This is a passionate episode! Please share your thoughts and comments (nicely, please!)

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Episode Sponsor:

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! From SHU: I LOVE not having to create a menu every week, and the prep instructions make getting dinner on the table each night easy. We use PrepDish almost every week (the Super Fast menu)! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mini-Q&A (Sleep + Biological Rhythms) + Product Review: Flame Tree Midi Notebooks, Karst Stone Paper, and EC Meal Planning Petite Planner EP 142

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah provides a follow up to Vickie's planner conundrum, and then delves into two listener question: one on evening routines to allow for early mornings, and one on various hormonal cycles (applicable to those who menstruate) and how that might impact planning.

Then, 3 product reviews are shared!

1) Midi Notebooks from Flame Tree Publishing: https://www.flametreepublishing.com/japanese-woodblocks-set-of-3-midi-notebooks-isbn-9781839644856.html

2) Karst Stone Paper Daily Planning Pad: via Jenni Bick: https://www.jennibick.com/collections/notebooks/products/karst-stone-paper-daily-action-pad

3) EC Petite Planner Meal Planner:

https://www.erincondren.com/colorblends-twilight-petiteplanner-meal-planner?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A17759194223%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=111253774&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=34320&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gclid=CjwKCAjwitShBhA6EiwAq3RqAwufnF-xFJi99rJslrsjAWRC8nhbrbrDjsX30vt2wXL3isq7uF_UOhoC0K8QAvD_BwE

Sarah's EC Referral Code: https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/sarahhartunger/1

Get in Touch:

Learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outside-the-Box Travel Planning Tips from the Road EP 141

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah opens this episode with a request for help with planner matchmaking for her dear friend and planning co-conspirator Vickie, who is looking for: " . . . a relatively portable/lighter (ideally smaller than 5x8in), hardbound (no spiral!) planner, w monthly and week on 2 page spreads, gel pen friendly paper, not too much extra stuff -- no inspiration vibes, please."

Please send your ideas for her!

Outside the Box Travel Planning Tips from the Road:

THINK ABOUT HOW YOU WANT TO FEEL AT THE END OF YOUR VACATION as you are planning. Rested? Inspired? Energized? This may influence your itinerary!
Sometimes keeping things more minimal can be more relaxing AND fun. Sometimes going deep is better than wide!
Appreciate the moments on vacation when you’re just doing regular things, but in a more relaxed way because there is no rush to school or work! And don’t forget that transition/travel time can be fun/interesting too!
YOU (or your co-travelers) get to decide what you pack into a day, and you are allowed to choose more ‘chill’ plans some days. You probably can’t see EVERYTHING an area has to offer AND relax AND have lots of relaxed family time. You get to pick and there’s no ‘right’ way to do a family vacation!
Packing cubes. They do seem awesome. I can't wait to get more!
If you have a larger group of people, make plans and reservations in advance. The analysis paralysis that can ensue when no one can agree on a restaurant or activity can REALLY drain the fun. Do a little research and pick something! If with multiple people could divide up the planning by day.
Go in with an attitude of gratitude and humor! Everything is not going to be social-media-perfect. Some places are understaffed. If people are trying and being kind that’s really what is important. Sometimes the things that go terribly wrong make the best memories.

Get in Touch:

Learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breaking Up Big Projects EP 140

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode opens up with a great Planner Peace submission from Millicent!

Products mentioned:

- Simplified Daily Planner

- Day Designer Monthly

- Essential Calendar (www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS and use code BESTLAIDPLANS at checkout for 10% off!)

Then, Sarah discusses 11 steps for breaking up big projects. In brief, these include:

1- Envision the End

2- Think about Timeline.

3- Think about Team (and learning from others who have been there)

4- Start mapping out the steps. Not necessarily EVERY step. But, always good to know:

First step

Next step

Any time-sensitive step

5- Decide what time frame makes sense to ‘hold’ your project

6- Figure out where you will keep everything related to the project

7- Assign yourself the first step with a specific time frame. (Take the plunge!)

8- Set a calendar date with yourself to review progress / define next steps / make edits

9- Have an off ramp or the ability to table it if you can!

10- CELEBRATE completions - of each step, of the project as a whole! Thank those involved and share your victories.

11- Postmortem - think about what worked, what didn’t, and where to store notes/etc for next time!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! LOVE not having to create a menu every week, and the prep instructions make getting dinner on the table each night easy. Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AMA (Ask Me Anything): Morning Routine, Wardrobe Organization, Travel, and More EP 139

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah comes on with answers to your questions in an AMA (ask me anything)-style format! Topics include:

- Social media (or lack thereof)

- Current morning routine

- What Sarah would do with a year off from clinical work

- Migraine deep dive

- Best trip ever taken - with kids, and adults only?

- Managing clothing the house (kids + yours)

- Tracking recipes

- Favorite book so far in 2023

Get in Touch:

Learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Meal kits with organic, healthy, and delicious ingredients! Go to greenchef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Backblaze: Backblaze makes backing up and accessing your data astonishingly easy. Visit backblaze.com/plans for a 15-day no credit card required free trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Organizing and Planning Your Budget with Allison Baggerly EP 138

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Allison Baggerly of Inspired Budget joins Sarah on the show today to discuss the ways that planning can help you set up and execute on a budget that truly answers to your needs and desires, from paying off debt to enjoying a great splurge vacation. She shares both physical tools and more theoretical techniques, as well as how she handles budgeting with her partner.

Find Allison: inspiredbudget.com or @inspiredbudget on IG

Best Laid Plans episode on Finance: https://theshubox.com/2021/03/best-laid-plans-ep-32-planning-your-financial-life.html

Links & Resources -- Working on an Ask Me Anything episode so get those questions in! Even random ones :)

Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Meal kits with organic, healthy, and delicious ingredients! Go to greenchef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Backblaze: Backblaze makes backing up and accessing your data astonishingly easy. Visit backblaze.com/plans for a 15-day no credit card required free trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pens, Highlighters, Accessories + More! EP 137

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah gives a run down of her favorite pens, markers, highlighters, and more!

Specific items listed below + visit theshubox.com for links!

Best Laid Plans LIVE Retreat - Nov 2-4! Look for registration details at theshubox.com/blpa

Email me: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com / Text: (305) 697-7189

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Meal kits with organic, healthy, and delicious ingredients! Go to greenchef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Backblaze: Backblaze makes backing up and accessing your data astonishingly easy. Visit backblaze.com/plans for a 15-day no credit card required free trial.

Pens:

Gel: Pilot Juice Up, Pentel Energel Clena

Pigment Liners: Sakura Sigma Micron; Uni Pin

Brush: Pentel Sign

Highlighters: Mildliners, Iconic dual-tip

Markers: Kuretake Zig Clean Color Dot, EC dual tip, Staedtler Triplus Fineliner, Zebra Click-Art

Tabs: Midori Chirrato Index Tabs

Washi: MT washi tape, The Washi Tape Shop, EC washi

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mixed Bag Ep! Planner Wanderlust, 2023 Ups & Downs, and Q&A from a Physician in Fellowship EP 136

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a mixed bag! Sarah opens with a planner peace submission sent in by Liz which combines the Planner Pad with an accessory goals notebook and Voodoopad -- a wiki-creation tool.

Then, Sarah discusses her current planner wanderlust and daily layout. She also reviews what is working -- and what is not -- in 2023 so far. Finally, a listener in fellowship training writes in looking for planner recs.

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Meal kits with organic, healthy, and delicious ingredients! Go to greenchef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Backblaze: Backblaze makes backing up and accessing your data astonishingly easy. Visit backblaze.com/plans for a 15-day no credit card required free trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your Passions EP 135

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Planning doesn't have to be about dry work-related goals - it can add another fun dimension to almost anything in life, including passions + hobbies. After sharing a Notion-centric planner peace from listener Coree (details below), Sarah delves into how she plans around 3 of her current passions: running, reading, and . . . planning!

Planner Peace submission from Coree Brown Swan -- Lecturer in Politics and author of Working Moms Make it Work at http://workingmomsmakeitwork.substack.com

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Meal kits with organic, healthy, and delicious ingredients! Go to greenchef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping!

Backblaze: Backblaze makes backing up and accessing your data astonishingly easy. Visit backblaze.com/plans for a 15-day no credit card required free trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb Q&A: Planning Gender Divide, Password Management, Planning in Pregnancy, and Overwhelm with Annual Goals EP 134

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this Q&A episode, after sharing a multi-level Planner Peace segment from listener Emilie, Sarah addresses multiple questions and topics from listeners, including:

Passwords + longer term lists - where to store?
Planning during pregnancy - from first tri fatigue to what to prioritize
How to ease into planning when the annual goals list becomes overwhelming
2 pro tips (a fun use for blank pages + blotting paper)
Planning gender divide

Resources:

BLPA info: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Easy and healthy weekly meal plans, complete with recipes and prep instructions! PrepDish is offering listeners a free 2-week trial to try it out, so go to PrepDish.com/plans to activate your trial!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning as a Teen with Aashna Shah, Published Author, Dancer and Miss Florida Teen EP 133

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Aashna Shah is a dancer, published author, and advocate for those with learning disabilities. She's also Miss Florida Teen and notes that her favorite tool for success is her planner!

She and Sarah talk about all things planning, including how she learned to plan (from her sister!), her favorite planning tools, the way she thinks about big goals, and advice she would give to parents who want to encourage their children to plan. She is wise and inspirational well beyond her 17 years!

Where to find Aashna:

IG: @missaashnashah

Her website: https://shahaashna.com

Her books: Learning Disabilities Superpower Series - available at Amazon and other bookshops!

Dynamic Diya: Dyslexia is her Superpower

Amazing Adriana: ADHD is her Superpower

Brave Brian: Anxiety Gave him his Superpower

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coping During Stressful Times, Monthly Goal Planner, and Best Laid Plans Academy Details EP 132

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens with a more detailed description of how she is using her EC Monthly Planner as an Annual Goal Setting tool. Then, she delves into how she manages (or doesn't!) stress during busy call weeks, including whether or not she stick to her regular rituals and daily habits.

Finally, she provides a more detailed description of Best Laid Plans Academy - her course designed to help you craft your own planning and life management systems to bring you more joy, reduce reactivity, and move your towards planner (and life) peace.

Best Laid Plans Academy: The waitlist will be offered a link to register for Best Laid Plans Academy on 2/7 at 10 AM.

Waitlist is here: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Episode Sponsors:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Fail? Two Great Weekly Options: Haroo Planner + Roterunner Purpose Planner EP 131

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0000

First, Sarah opens with some follow up from the last Q&A episode, where a listener asked for help organizing meeting notes. Suggestions include scanning and uploading to OneNote, or just doubling down on color coding and separate binders/notebooks!

Then she gets into two reviews:

Haroo Planner - a $30 fabric-covered option with minimalist design, gridlines, and a unique horizontal layout
Roterunner Purpose Planner - Just under $30, a 6-month undated option that is packed with features for goal setting, habit tracking, reflection and more

Both are wonderful options for anyone experiencing an early-2023 planner fail - or if you just want to explore other ways to look at your week!

Best Laid Plans Academy: The waitlist will be offered a link to register for Best Laid Plans Academy on 2/7 at 10 AM. Waitlist is here: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Episode Sponsors:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning for Sick Days & Illnesses EP 130

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0000

In this shorter episode, Sarah -- currently dealing with her own viral illness -- share some tips on planning ahead for illnesses that will inevitably occur! Pre-stock your favorite over the counter medications or supplements, create a resilient schedule, and feel NO GUILT about letting yourself rest when you are sick!

Episode Sponsors:

Financial Gym: Personal training for your finances. Visit financialgym.com/plans for more info and use code plans to get 20% off your first year of membership!

Plan to Eat: Meal planning with your own favorite recipes. Best Laid Plans listeners can get a 25% discount on a yearly subscription by signing up for a free trial at plantoeat.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Keeping Track of Meeting Notes, Irregular Schedules, Erasable Pens, Tracking Ongoing Tasks + Planner Peace Gold! EP 129

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Sarah shares a minor update on her 2023 planner stack, and then opens today's Q&A episode with a Planner Peace submission from a successful scientist that is packed with ideas and tips about goal-setting, handling meetings, and more.

Then, the Q&A address the following topics:

How to prevent handwritten notes from becoming a disorganized mess
How to keep momentum going with an irregular (and highly challenging) schedule?
Erasable pen suggestions (and call for listener help!)
GTD and tracking recurring "never-ending" tasks (like updating the same spreadsheet every week)

Reminders of how to find notes to this show - go to: theshubox.com

(fun fact - I wanted to buy BestLaidPlans.com but apparently it’s 25K!)

How to send in your ?s:

Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com

Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans

Send me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189

Leave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647)

Finally, I will be opening cohort 2 of Best Laid Plans Academy in Feb so please join the waitlist if interested; I will offer it to that group first!

Waitlist signup: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Episode Sponsors:

Financial Gym: Personal training for your finances. Visit financialgym.com/plans for more info and use code plans to get 20% off your first year of membership!

Plan to Eat: Meal planning with your own favorite recipes. Best Laid Plans listeners can get a 25% discount on a yearly subscription by signing up for a free trial at plantoeat.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bullet Journaling, Mindfulness + More with Ryder Carroll EP 128

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the first interview episode of 2023! In today's episode, Sarah interviews Ryder Carroll, best-selling author, digital product designer, TEDx speaker, and inventor of the Bullet Journal method.

Ryder shares the story of how the Bullet Journal came to be and discusses hybrid analog digital approaches, evolution of his system over time, favorite products, and more.

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping.

Financial Gym: Personal training for your finances. Visit financialgym.com/plans for more info and use code plans to get 20% off your first year of membership!

Plan to Eat: Meal planning with your own favorite recipes. Best Laid Plans listeners can get a 25% discount on a yearly subscription by signing up for a free trial at plantoeat.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Successful + Fun Kickoff to 2023 + Sarah's 2023 Goals EP 127

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome to 2023!! In this episode, Sarah shares 5 tips for a successful and fun start to the new year, and then shares her own personal goals list for the new year.

Interested in BLP Academy?

Learn more + join the waitlist here: https://theshubox.com/blpa

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to GreenChef.com/plans135 and use code plans135 to get $135 off across five boxes—and your first box ships free!”

Financial Gym: Personal training for your finances. Visit financialgym.com/plans for more info and use code plans to get 20% off your first year of membership!

Plan to Eat: Meal planning with your own favorite recipes. Best Laid Plans listeners can get a 25% discount on a yearly subscription by signing up for a free trial at plantoeat.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last 22 Q&A: Keeping Track of "On-the-fly" Tasks, Fitness Planners, Planner Move-In Rituals, Setting Goals with a New Baby + More EP 126

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this Q&A episode -- the last of 2022, Sarah tackles questions from listeners and shares 2 listener tips!

Topics include:

1) Goal setting in a year with a new baby

2) Planner move-In rituals

3) Ideas for blank calendar spreads + trackers in the Hobonichi planners

4) Fitness planner recs

5) Keeping track of tasks/to do items captured on the fly in multiple locations

Tips include:

1) Year Compass for a free goal-setting resource (https://yearcompass.com)

2) An app to share mental load duties with a partner

Episode Sponsors:

Plan to Eat: Meal planning with your own favorite recipes. Best Laid Plans listeners can get a 25% discount on a yearly subscription by signing up for a free trial at plantoeat.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finite Lives and Infinite Goals with Oliver Burkeman

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Oliver Burkeman joins Sarah to discuss his popular and fascinating book, 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.

Sarah delves into how Oliver plans, how he went from self-help critic to personal development authors, and how to reconcile the tension between knowing life is finite (and accepting the inevitability that one cannot do everything!) and still wanting to set goals and do a lot, or even cram in as much as possible in the time we have left.

Oliver Burkeman's website: https://www.oliverburkeman.com

Susan Piver blog post he references: https://openheartproject.com/getting-stuff-done-by-not-being-mean-to-yourself/

Best Laid Plans Video 2023 Planner Stack video: https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Episode Sponsors:

Plan to Eat: Meal planning with your own favorite recipes. Best Laid Plans listeners can get a 25% discount on a yearly subscription by signing up for a free trial at plantoeat.com/plans

Organize 365: To learn more about Lisa Woodruff’s work and her amazing offerings, check out organize365.com, or go to organize365.com/minicourse for a free 7 days minicourse on getting yourself organized!

My Life in a Book: A meaningful keepsake gift, perfect for your loved ones for the holidays. To save $10 off your first purchase, visit mylifeinabook.com and use discount code PLANS135.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Stack 2023! EP 124

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah opens with a listener who had a very minimal but effective planning style, and then she shares all of the physical products (planners + notebooks) she intends on using in 2023!

These include:

Hobonichi Cousin A5 English (glitter leather cover)
Hobnoichi 5 Year Journal (2021-25)
Erin Condren Monthly Notebook
Hobonichi Weeks
Stalogy A5 journal
Kokuyo Sooofa Soft Ring Notebook
Little Inklings Always Fully Booked Reading Journal

Share yours by leaving a comment, sending an email, or texting (305) 697-7189

Please consider leaving a review if you haven't - would make Sarah's day!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Healthy & delicious meal planning made easy. Go to PrepDish.com/plans to activate your free trial.

Financial Gym: Personal training for your finances. Visit financialgym.com/plans for more info and use code plans to get 20% off your first year of membership!

My Life in a Book: A meaningful keepsake gift, perfect for your loved ones for the holidays. To save $10 off your first purchase, visit mylifeinabook.com and use discount code PLANS135.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2023 Planner Review Round Up! Sterling Ink Common Planner, Laurel Denise All-in-One, Full Focus Binder & Proaction Planner EP 123

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Today's episode opens with a detailed planned peace segment from Andrea, a busy physician who has embraced bullet journaling + has also discovered an easy and functional way to keep her email organized. Then, Sarah delves into four mini-reviews:

Sterling Ink Common Planner (2 books, B6)
Laurel Denise 2023 Horizontal Weekly
Full Focus binder and inserts
Proaction Planner, spiral bound 2023 version

BLP now has a cell number (and no, it won't go directly to SHU's phone). You can send your pictures and audio clips to 305-697-7189. Keep the planner peace & planner stack submissions coming!

Episode Sponsors:

Financial Gym: Personal training for your finances. Visit financialgym.com/plans for more info and use code plans to get 20% off your first year of membership!

My Life in a Book: A meaningful keepsake gift, perfect for your loved ones for the holidays. To save $10 off your first purchase, visit mylifeinabook.com and use discount code PLANS135.

Plan to Eat: Meal planning with your own favorite recipes. Best Laid Plans listeners can get a 25% discount on a yearly subscription by signing up for a free trial at plantoeat.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Peace with a Stack, Sticky Note Suggestions, Email, and a DIY Goals Planner for 2023 EP 122

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episodes, Sarah shares a Planner Peace submission from Cheryl, who has found peace (and joy!) with a Planner Pad and Full Focus combo, plus lots of stickers and homemade cloth covers.

Then, she discusses some daily planning sticky notes suggestions inspired by her episode with Josh.

A listener writes in about cleaning up an email backlog AND a beautiful journal for her baby twins - who are now 2.

Finally, Sarah shares details about her DIY goal planner for 2023.

Episode Sponsors:

Financial Gym: Personal training for your finances. Visit financialgym.com/plans for more info and use code plans to get 20% off your first year of membership!

My Life in a Book: A meaningful keepsake gift, perfect for your loved ones for the holidays. To save $10 off your first purchase, visit mylifeinabook.com and use discount code PLANS135.

Plan to Eat: Meal planning with your own favorite recipes. Best Laid Plans listeners can get a 25% discount on a yearly subscription by signing up for a free trial at plantoeat.com/plans.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where Planning Rituals and Time Management Collide: Interview with Laura Vanderkam EP 121

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Sarah welcomes Laura back onto Best Laid Plans for this fun episode about her planning techniques. Laura recently released a book called Tranquility By Tuesday, which includes a set of 9 rules to help readers enjoy their 'regular' days even more. 3 of the rules are very planning adjacent, so they are discussed in detail on this episode!

The rules are:

Plan on Fridays
Batch the Little Things
Create a Backup Slot

To learn about the other 6, go to lauravanderkam.com! You can also find her on Best of Both Worlds (with Sarah) and solo every single day on Before Breakfast.

Episode Sponsors:

My Life in a Book: Put together a wonderful keepsake with your loved one. To save $10 off your first purchase, visit mylifeinabook.com and use discount code PLANS135.

Financial Gym: Individualized personal training – for your financial fitness. For more information, go to financialgym.com/plans for more info and use code plans to get 20% off your first year of membership!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Intersection of Planning & Fitness with Allison Sizemore EP 120

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Allison Sizemore is a coach and head of Couture Fitness Coaching -- and she's also a long-time BLP listener who is passionate about planning! Sarah and Allison share the ways they plan in fitness, down to details about Allison's monthly excel sheets to track workouts + nutrition!

Find more from Allison at https://www.couturefitnesscoaching.com or @couture_fitness_coaching on Instagram.

Link to BLP Academy signups: http://blpa.mykajabi.com or visit the BLP Academy page on theshubox.com!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Healthy & delicious meal planning made easy. Go to PrepDish.com/plans to activate your free trial.

Financial Gym: Get your financial goals in order with personalized training and support. Go to financialgym.com/plans for more info and use code plans to get 20% off your first year of membership!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from Our Planning Retreat: Interview with Joshua Unger EP 119

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Sarah opens with a Planner Peace submission from listener Ursula who has kept things simple and effective with a weekly planner + a notebook!

Then, Sarah's husband Joshua Unger joins in for a conversation live from one of their mini planning retreats! They talk about different planning styles and Josh shares his Planner Stack (yes he has one!).

At the conclusion of the episode, Sarah introduces the very first Best Laid Plan course! This is a chance to work alongside Sarah to build your most effective system piece by piece, and would be a wonderful way to dive into 2023 with intention. Learn more at theshubox.com/blpa!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning-Adjacent: 10 Rules for Life EP 118

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah was inspired by a fellow podcaster (Laura McClellan on The Productive Woman) to share her own 10 rules for life!

Some are planning-related, and others are more global. She also shares some upcoming topics + her surprise and gratitude related to a recent newspaper shout-out!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mixed Bag Ep! Planner Peace, Ideas, Keeping Track of Tentative Events, and Some Life Updates EP 117

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

It's a mixed-bag episode! Sarah opens with a Planner Peace submission from Amanda who shares what she loves about some brands never covered before on BLP: the Legend Planner + Living Well Planner.

Then Sarah discusses some release news from Erin Condren + MakseLife, answers a listener question about handling shared tentative future events, shares a super fun idea (PlannerBase?), and finally reveals her current notebook obsession.

Finally, she delves a bit into her current feelings around her work/life transition and how she needs to continue working on not forgetting the NOW in favor of some magical eventual future!

Keep the Planner Peace submissions coming - for more detailed show notes and all contact info, visit theshubox.com!

Episode Sponsor:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meal Planning & More with Nakita from The Mama Manual EP 116

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens by sharing an audio Planner Peace Submission from Hannah, who shares her daily/weekly/monthly and quintile planning rituals!

Then, Sarah goes into her own meal planning habits over the years and then welcomes guest Nakita Attard Vassallo - a mother and professional meal planning strategist in Malta.

Learn more about Nakita's strategies at themamamanual.com

Episode Sponsors:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plannersphere News & Listener Q&A - Family Meetings, Blog/Podcast Recs, and More! EP 115

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode opens with a discussion of some planner news from Erin Condren and Cultivate What Matters. Then, she delves into an expanded Planner Peace segment from a listener who has adapted many BLP techniques into her own comprehensive system, complete with (impressively!) organized family meetings!

Then Sarah answers listener questions about Hemlock & Oak and Hobonichi and provides a requested list of blog + podcast recs. Finally, she shares a listener travel victory - a win for Apple Notes!

Episode Sponsor:

PrepDish: Healthy and efficient weekly meal plans! Go to PrepDish.com/plans to activate your trial!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep Dive: Getting Things Done (GTD) EP 114

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah opens with a listener sharing about her blinged-out and colorful Hobonichi (pix available at show notes on theshubox.com). She then gives a shout out to Routine and Things with Ashley Brown, who is releasing her first planner this October!

Then, Sarah dives into Getting Things Done! She chats about when she first came across it, and then goes into detail about the 5 steps -- capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage. She shares where she follows the method and where she has changed things to fit her needs.

Mentons & Links:

Routine & Things Planner: https://routineandthings.com/products/routine-and-things-planner

David Allen & Co: https://gettingthingsdone.com/

David Allen's GTD podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-things-done/id999098861

Getting Things Done by David Allen (2015 ed is the most recent)

Making it All Work by David Allen (2008)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Dates, Media, Reading & More with Kristen Meinzer EP 113

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this fun episode, after sharing a digital planning tip from listener Sonali, Sarah chats with Kristen Meinzer, a podcaster, culture critic, author, and more!

They chat about aspects of planning that are incredibly important but that might not instantly come to mind, from planning for death (promise, it's more uplifting than it sounds!) to planning memorable dates and strategic media consumption.

You can find all of Kristen's work (and there is A LOT of it!) by starting at https://www.kristenmeinzer.com

Books mentioned

Getting Things Done by David Allen

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson

The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life by Katy Butler

Podcast Sponsors:

Gusto: Gusto is offering our listeners three months free at gusto.com/sarah. Get easy payroll, benefits, HR, and a happier team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nolki & Other Planner Updates + Planning Profile: Kate Hanley, Author + Podcaster EP 112

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 11:15:00 -0000

Sarah opens with a review of Nolki notebook, journals, planners, and washi, and then shares updates on Hobonichi, Cultivate What Matters, and more. Then, author and podcaster Kate Hanley joins Sarah in the kickoff to "Planner Profiles" -- a series about how different people plan! Kate shares her challenges and current practices.

Kate's podcast is How to Be a Better Person, and it comes out daily!

Final note: congrats to Rushmore Beekeepers (the group whose music is featured on this podcast!) for their new album release! Album info:

'What Lives and What Grows'

https://rushmorebeekeepers.com/links/

Podcast Sponsors:

Gusto: Gusto is offering our listeners three months free at gusto.com/sarah. Get easy payroll, benefits, HR, and a happier team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Thinking Through the Holidays, Habit Tracking, Collecting Memories Long Term, and 2 Planner Matchups EP 111

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this Q&A episode, Sarah tackles 5 listener questions!

Topics include:

1) Planning sustainable and enjoyable holiday seasons

2) Tips for tracking (and not forgetting to track)

3) Planner matchup request: daily pages with gridlines + colorful tabs?

4) A system to keep special memories + achievements long term

5) Planner matchup request: planner for a middle schooler

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Healthy and delicious meal planning made easy! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Gusto: Gusto is offering our listeners three months free at gusto.com/sarah. Get easy payroll, benefits, HR, and a happier team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Sarah Organizes Her Life EP 110

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Inspired by a podcast episode of similar title (Cal Newport's Deep Questions Ep #211), Sarah decides to offer a 10,000 foot view of how she organizes . . . pretty much everything!

This episode is more about principles than tools (though of course those get a mention as well!). Sarah talks through her various horizons of planning, from daily to yearly, and her methods for keeping inputs under control.

Episode Sponsors:

Gusto: Gusto is offering our listeners three months free at gusto.com/sarah. Get easy payroll, benefits, HR, and a happier team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2023 Hobonchi Deep Dive EP 109

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

It's Hobonichi season, and Sarah is excited! She opens with a Planner Peace submission from Hobonichi user, and then goes into a detailed exploration of the current Hobonichi offerings, from planners to covers and more.

Learn about the ordering process, the website (it's in English!) and their new offerings for 2023, as well as what Sarah is thinking of ordering herself.

Episode Sponsors:

Yipes: Face & hand wipes for kids! Go to yipes.com/PLANS for 20% off. Growing up is messy. Yipes! wipes to the rescue.

Gusto: Gusto is offering our listeners three months free at gusto.com/sarah. Get easy payroll, benefits, HR, and a happier team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back to School Energy, Q&A: Scrolling Habits, Planner Matchups, and Apple Notes EP 108

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens with a discussion of back to school energy, with a shout out to the Hobonichi 2023 releases + the new Full Focus designs. Then, she shares some listener tips related to reading journals and book tracking.

In the Q&A, she answers questions in themes: 2 related to scrolling habits, 2 planner matchmaking requests, and 1 on Apple Notes.

As always, detailed links/notes up can be found at theshubox.com!

Episode Sponsors:

Yipes: Face & hand wipes for kids! Go to yipes.com/PLANS for 20% off. Growing up is messy. Yipes! wipes to the rescue.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Digital Time Management with Kelly Nolan EP 107

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Kelly Nolan joins Sarah to talk all things digital planning and calendar management. Kelly is a lawyer, previously working as a litigator. She became passionate about helping women manage their time and thrive in busy jobs, and now teaches time management for her main career. She loves helping women to truly understand where time is going and helping them integrate work and life though her digital calendar management techniques. She and Sarah have a great discussion on common challenges women with big careers face.

Find Kelly and learn more about the Bright Method at http://kellynolan.com, or connect with her on Instagram @_kellynolan_

Episode Sponsors:

Organize 365: To learn more about Lisa Woodruff’s work and her amazing offerings, check out organize365.com, or go to organize365.com/minicourse for a free 7 days minicourse on getting yourself organized!

Yipes: Face & hand wipes for kids! Go to yipes.com/PLANS for 20% off. Growing up is messy. Yipes! wipes to the rescue.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reading Habits & Reading Journals EP 106

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

This episode is dedicated to all things reading! In the first half, Sarah discusses her reading habits through the years, including a few habits she has embraced recently to help her read more.

Then, she provides mini-reviews of 4 reading journals: My Reading Life: A Book Journal by Ann Bogel, Bibliophile Reader's Journal by Jane Mount, My Reading Adventures: A Book Journal for Kids by Ann Bogel, and The Cultivated Reading Journal from Cultivate What Matters.

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Yipes: Face & hand wipes for kids! Go to yipes.com/PLANS for 20% off. Growing up is messy. Yipes! wipes to the rescue.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Chat with Bloom Cofounder Michelle Askin EP 105

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a deep dive into the world of a planner founder and company leader! Michelle Askin cofounded Bloom when she was just 20 years old (!), and 12 years later their products are widely available, addressing planning needs for many different stages of life.

Michelle chats about the products she's using now, Bloom's mission to give back, ways she combines digital + paper, and finally some speculation on future ideas and trends in the planning world.

Episode Sponsors:

Green Chef: Healthy, delicious, and CCOF-certified meal kits! Go to greenchef.com/plans135 use code plans135 to get $135 off across five boxes—and your first box ships free!

Yipes: Face & hand wipes for kids! Go to yipes.com/PLANS for 20% off. Growing up is messy. Yipes! wipes to the rescue.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting Though Tough Times: COVID Edition ReAir EP 104

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a ReAir, in part because Sarah's voice is a bit out of commission due to COVID. She records a brief intro (and promises to be back when she sounds better), and this is followed by a replay of February's episode below, inspired by a tough week on call Sarah had. She outlines 5 things she wished she had done to make life easier on herself -- things that might apply to anyone going into a finite difficult period.

1. Evaluating which habits might temporarily not be serving you

2. Pay attention to basic body maintenance - foundation habts

3. Ask others for help

4. Don’t be afraid to say no if someone is asking for favors

5. Create an "after the storm" list

Episode Sponsor:

Gusto: Gusto is offering our listeners three months free at gusto.com/sarah. Get easy payroll, benefits, HR, and a happier team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listener Tips, A Planner Hub, and a Deep Dive into Current Planning Practices EP 103

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah opens with a listener tips about daily theme dressing by color, and shares some info on The Planner Wire, an online hub (created by another planner aficionados) for all things planning related.

Then, she takes a deep dive into how she is using her current lineup, including some different uses for some of the pages in EC's Daily Duo and some more details about her low-key entries in the Hobonichi 5 year.

Episode Sponsors:

Organize 365: To learn more about Lisa Woodruff’s work and her amazing offerings, check out organize365.com, or go to organize365.com/minicourse for a free 7 days minicourse on getting yourself organized!

Gusto: Gusto is offering our listeners three months free at gusto.com/sarah. Get easy payroll, benefits, HR, and a happier team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mid-Year Goals Check In & Triage, Plus an In-Depth Digital Planner Peace EP 102

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, a listener Beth opens with a fantastic Planner Peace submission, all about her transition to digital planning with Artful Agenda. Then, Sarah discusses her process for checking into goals midway through the year. She shares questions to think about as well as the specific products and tools she uses to capture her goals and lists.

Finally, she shares her own triaged goals list for mid-year!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listener Tips + Mini-Review: The Plan by Lauren Truslow EP 101

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah shares a few listener tips! Amanda discusses her own self-care strategy for busy times, Jen shares a cautionary tale about Frixion pens, and Xoke provides some fantastic email tips. Sarah then discusses the upcoming Cultivate What Matters reading journal, and then dives into her mini-review of The Plan by Lauren Truslow. This planner is BIG but packs a lot of punch, including some great meal planning and health tracking options as well as a lovely daily layout.

Episode Sponsors:

TopCashBack: Try TopCashback for yourself by visiting topcashback.com, creating an account with your email and password, and entering the promo code PLANS. All new customers who sign up now will get a $10 sign-up bonus when they spend their first $25 on topcashback.com after entering the promo code!

Green Chef: The number one meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/plans130 use code plans130 to get $130 off, plus free shipping! This is a great deal and excellent way to give their meals a try.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask Me Anything! EP: 100

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is an Ask Me Anything in honor of the #100 milestone! Sarah received questions from listeners and answers more than 15 of them in this fun episode -- from pencil cases to the ways planning has changed her life.

Thank you all for listening and helping bring BLP to this fun milestone! In celebration, if you are able to leave a review or share with a friend, Sarah would be grateful!

Episode Sponsors:

TopCashBack: Try TopCashback for yourself by visiting topcashback.com, creating an account with your email and password, and entering the promo code PLANS. All new customers who sign up now will get a $10 sign-up bonus when they spend their first $25 on topcashback.com after entering the promo code!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intentional Practices for Harder Times EP: 99

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0000

Today's episode opens with a Planner Peace segment from Emelia, who created custom nursing school planners for herself AND shared her beautiful system with her classmates! Then, Sarah answers a question from Lori and suggests 3 options for larger family wall calandars. Finally, Sarah gives a list of suggestions for ways to cope in more stressful or transitional times, from creating a manifesto (try it!) to meditation, reading, and seeking therapy.

Episode Sponsors:

TopCashBack: Try TopCashback for yourself by visiting topcashback.com, creating an account with your email and password, and entering the promo code PLANS. All new customers who sign up now will get a $10 sign-up bonus when they spend their first $25 on topcashback.com after entering the promo code!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Email Musings & More EP 98

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens up with a Planner Peace submission from another Sarah -but that one lives in Australia! Then she quickly discusses a few product finds (Washi Tape Shop, Pilot Frixion Gel Pens).

Finally, she gets into a discussion of email -- some observations she has noted over the years and things she'd like to change about her own habits!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish and the Meal Plan Monday podcast! Listen to Allison's podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Aura Frames: Beautiful digital frames that are incredibly easy to set up! Visit auraframes.com and use code PLANS and get UP TO $20 off while supplies last; terms and conditions apply.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An All-Digital Planner Peace, Work Notebook Recs, and Vacation Planning (and Packing!) Strategies EP 97

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens with an all-digital Planner Peace submission from Catherine, who organizes everything in various Outlook/Microsoft Products (calendar, tasks, to-dos, and email).

Then, Sarah answers a listener asking for work notebooks. Sarah then delves into a discussion of vacation planning, with some notes about packing. If you've never tried planning your outfits on a trip day by day at least once - give it a try!

Episode Sponsors:

Aura Frames: Beautiful digital frames that are incredibly easy to set up! Visit auraframes.com and use code PLANS and get UP TO $20 off while supplies last; terms and conditions apply.

Gusto: Gusto’s modern HR platform makes it easy to hire, pay, manage, and support your employees — all in one system of record. Listeners of Best Laid Plans get 3 months of Gusto for free at gusto.com/sarah

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Detailed Planner Peace and a Review of the 2022/23 EC Daily Duo EP 96

Mon, 30 May 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah shares a long but incredibly impressive planner peace submission from Heather, who has built an amazing custom system primarily using Agendio. Then, Sarah dives into her review of the Erin Condren A5 Daily Duo! This is her first time trying out this system which launched ~2 years ago to great enthusiasm in the planner community.

Links:

Agendio: https://agendio.com

Sarah's Erin Condren referral link: https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/sarahhartunger/1

Episode Sponsors:

Aura Frames: Beautiful digital frames that are incredibly easy to set up! Visit auraframes.com and use code PLANS and get UP TO $20 off while supplies last; terms and conditions apply.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Current Lineup, Long Term Planning with a Partner, Ring-Bound Options, Planner Anxiety, and More EP 95

Mon, 23 May 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens with a Planner Peace voice memo sent in by Tara! Then she moves to listener Q&A (plus a tip!). Question topics include:

1) Current planner lineup

2) Tip from a listener - idea and resource for planning and long-term vision-building with a partner

3) Fixing mistakes/rescheduled events in your planner

4) Question about ring-bound planner options

5) Feeling anxious about seeing the entire day's list laid out -- suggestions?

Episode Sponsors:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your Summer EP 94

Mon, 16 May 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens with a Planner Peace segment from Cindy, who uses MakseLife and Passion Planner currently, and also explains why she prefers her weekly planner separate from her daily. Then, she gets into all things summer planning!

Topics include:

- choosing a time to plan

- summer reading & media

- summer wardrobe - bathing suits, sandals, etc

- childcare

- summer work schedules

- social outiings

- summer travel

- neighborhood festivals + traditions

- seasonal fitness goals

- "one on one" kid days

- seasonal work projects

- summer planning :)

Finally, she discusses a few of her own summer goals. Please share yours in the show notes, always available at https://theshubox.com/best-laid-plans-podcast

Episode Sponsors:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning for Stress Relief + Hemlock & Oak Review EP 93

Mon, 09 May 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah delves into a listener email sent about planning as stress relief. Then, she shares Peggy's Planner Peace submission, which combines use of the Monk Manual, google calendar, todoist, and Organize 365! Then, she goes into an in-depth review of the Hemlock & Oak Weekly Undated Planner.

If Planner Peace is eluding you this year - it might be one to consider!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Easy and functional menu planning. Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Year & Day: Beautiful modern ceramics and flatware for hosting or just elevating your everyday table. Visit yearandday.com/plans and use code: PLANS to get $25 off your first order of $150 or more.

Aura Frames: Gorgeous digital frames that are super easy to set up -- perfect for Mother's Day! Visit auraframes.com and use use code PLANS to get up to 40% off while supplies last.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your Style & Wardrobe with Lani Inlander EP 92

Mon, 02 May 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a veer away from our usual planning topics - stylist Lani Inlander joins Sarah to answer some great listener questions received regarding planning your wardrobe + style! Lani discussed ways one might consider planning outfits for the week, a different way to think about identifying your style, ways to budget for a wardrobe upgrade, and tips and inspiration for closet decluttering to allow for a functional wardrobe.

Lani's site: https://real-life-style.com

Lani's e-course: https://real-life-style.com/wear-your-power-ecourse/

Episode Sponsors:

Year & Day: Year & Day is giving Best Laid Plans listeners a special offer. Visit yearandday.com/plans and use code PLANS to get $25 off your first order of $150 or more.

Aura Frames: Gorgeous digital high-res frames perfect for Mother's Day or any other family gifting occasion. From now until Mother’s Day, listeners can save on the perfect gift -- just visit auraframes.com and use code PLANS to get up to $40 off while supplies last.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Planning Household Division of Labor, A Gardener's Planner, Planning Kids' Reading, and Planning for Part-Time Work EP 91

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens up with a new Planner Peace segment, and then shares several listener questions (and answers!).

Q1 - Tips for planning to help share the mental load with one's partner

Q2 - Recommendations for a hobby planner, such as for gardening

Q3 - Ways to capture ideas from books you have read

Q4 - Planning out reading with kids (or kids "to be read" lists!)

Q5 - Planning for someone working part time (2x/week)

Episode Sponsors:

Year & Day: Beautiful ceramic tableware, plus flatware and more. Year & Day is giving Best Laid Plans listeners a special offer. Visit yearandday.com/plans and use PLANS to get $25 off your first order of $150 or more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Life Gets Messy: How to Dig Yourself Out and Feel Better EP 90

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens with a Planner Peace submission from Lynn, a fellow doctor-mom and planner lover! Lynn uses a combination of MakseLife, Midori Traveler's Notebooks, and a Hobonichi Cousin.

Next, Sarah mentions a listener tip for those looking for outside accountability - an app system called Shelpful.

Then, Sarah gets into today's main topic - a step by step system for digging yourself out of . . . .well, a mess. When life gets hectic and you get very behind, it can be very anxiety-provoking to have tasks and inputs built up everywhere. This episode provides a list of steps to help you get started, from identifying all of your in-baskets to scheduling catchup time into your calendar, and beyond.

Visit https://theshubox.com/best-laid-plans-podcast for show notes and to leave a question or comment, written or audio!

Episode Sponsor:

Organize 365~ To learn more about Lisa Woodruff’s work and her amazing offerings, check out organize365.com, or go to organize365.com/minicourse for a free 7 days minicourse on getting yourself organized!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Follow Ups & Planner Launches EP 89

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah opens this episode with some follow ups -- thanking those who reached out to listener E, and discussing possible platforms for sharing more together. Then, she shares listener Amye's version of imperfect planner peace!

Finally, she provides some details and her perspective on some big spring/academic planner launches (Simplified + EC).

Episode sponsor:

PrepDish! Go to PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tracking: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly EP 88

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0000

This episode opens with a listener question about eco-friendly planners and also communication your plans with a childcare provider. Another listener writes in looking for ideas for a project to commemorate her 25 years of marriage (awwww!).

Then, Sarah discusses all forms of tracking -- anything from nutrition to books read and beyond. She dives into the positive and negatives that that can come with the practice of recording various aspects of one's life.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Accountability Partner Ideas + Inamio Review EP 87

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0000

A listener writes in searching for a planning accountability partner, and Sarah discusses ways that perhaps the BLP community could come together and share lists (preferably without the temptations of social media platforms).

Then, she goes into a review of the Inamio 24 Hour Weekly Planner - a very similar option to Hobonichi, but with some key differences, including the paper and the price!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nir Eyal: Planning to Fight Distractions EP 86

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Nir Eyal is a former Stanford Business and Design School professor and most recently author of Indistractible: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. Sarah greatly enjoyed the book and her interest was piqued even further when she heard Nir on another podcast essentially summing up his strategy as PLANNING as the best defense against a distracted life. In this conversation, Nir dives deeply into his research on distractions and how the strategy of planning can help fight the powerful urges to spend our time and attention in ways we never intended.

Find out more about Nir Eyal and see links to his work a https://www.nirandfar.com!

Episode Sponsor:

Organize 365! To learn more about Lisa Woodruff’s work and her unique and inspiring programs, check out organize365.com, or go to organize365.com/minicourse for a free 7 days minicourse on getting yourself organized!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Digital Planning, Unstructured Days + MaskeLife 6 Month Undated Planner Mini-Review EP 85

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 17:46:00 -0000

In the first half of the episode, Sarah addresses two audio Q&A, one from a digital planning-curious listener and another juggling many professional demands with a 5 month old! A listener writes in about another seasonal family planning option - the 3-month Essential Calendar (https://www.theessentialcalendar.com).

Finally, a fellow podcaster writes in with a question on where to keep those tasks that are 'not now, but someday' so that they don't get lost. Then, Sarah dives into the MaskeLife 6 month Undated Planner & Goal-Setting System.

Listen for her true thoughts + a full walk through!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks free! In addition to the Super fast menus that I love, PrepDish has gluten free, Paleo & low carb options so there is truly something for everyone.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning a Full and Thoughtful Life with Dr. Christine Koh EP 84

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this fun conversational episode, Sarah joins Dr. Christine Koh -- former professor, podcaster, author, and self-proclaimed internet unicorn -- to chat abut all things planning and planning-adjacent!

Christine shares her favorite planning techniques, her gentle way of goal-setting, and tips for family calendar management. Her approach to planning is thoughtful and kind, just like she is!

Find Christine online at https://www.christinekoh.com, on Instagram @drchristinekoh, and on the podcast Edit Your Life, available on all podcast platforms!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep Dive: Notebooks EP 83

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0000

It's an all-notebook deep dive episode! Sarah opens with a slew of ideas for uses of notebooks, and then transitions to a discussion of many of her favorite brands and products out there.

Brands mentioned:

Papier

Stalogy

Wonderland 222

Hobonichi Plain Notebook

Field Notes

Beggy Higgins

Erin Condren

Leuchtturm 1917

Amanda Rach Lee

Archer & Olive

Nuuna

Moleskine

Share your favorite notebook brand with Sarah in her show notes page at theshubox.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Favorite Planning-Adjacent Podcasts + A Bit of Retail Therapy EP 82

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah shares 8 of her favorite podcasts centered around -- you guessed it -- planning! She also mentions two of her favorites to follow on Patreon, Amanda's Favorites and Planners & Wine.

She then shares some planning "coping mechanisms" she has been indulging in lately, including some planner migrating (yes already) and some retail therapy at Erin Condren.

Episode Sponsor: Organize 365! To learn more about Lisa Woodruff’s work and her amazing offerings, check out organize365.com, or go to organize365.com/minicourse for a free 7 days minicourse on getting yourself organized!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting Through Tough Times EP: 81

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0000

This episode was inspired by a tough week on call Sarah had recently. She outlines 5 things she wished she had done to make life easier on herself -- things that might apply to anyone going into a finite difficult period.

1. Evaluating which habits might temporarily not be serving you

2. Pay attention to basic body maintenance - foundation habts

3. Ask others for help

4. Don’t be afraid to say no if someone is asking for favors

5. Create an "after the storm" list

Episode Sponsor: PrepDish. Check out PrepDish.com/plans for 2 weeks free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Budget-Friendly Planners, Transitioning Between Planners, Handling Confidential Info, and More EP 80

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0000

It's an all Q&A ep! Questions include one about alternatives with similar layouts to Whitney English Week On One Page, planning with confidential info, how to handle months after your planner ends (before your new one arrives!), and a question about some budget-friendly options that still have a luxury feel.

Finally, Sarah muses a bit on the future of BLP.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mini Q&A + Planner Review: The ProAction Planner EP 79

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens with a Q&A section. One listener writes in about how to work in regular delegation of chores/household duties, and another has question about what Sarah actually brings back and forth to work!

In the review section, Sarah takes a deep dive into the ProAction Planner, which has some of her favorite features from the Full Focus + Planner Pad . . . in one.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your Passions & More with Laura Tremaine EP 78

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this fun conversational episode, Sarah interviews LA-based writer/podcaster/creative Laura Tremaine about her planning styles, preferences, and challenges.

Laura talks about how she plans around one of her greatest passions -- books! There is some paper planner discussion, of course, followed by a deep dive into family life organization + management.

Laura Tremaine can be found at her website, https://www.lauratremaine.com. She has an active Secret Stuff Patreon group with lots of reading content, a really fun book (Share Your Stuff, I'll Go First), and a fantastic backlog of podcast episodes to peruse (10 Things to Tell You).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2022 So Far: Planner Confessions, Imperfections & What is Working EP 77

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah reveals some planner confessions (ie, what has NOT worked well for her thus far this year -- already!) as well as a discussion about imperfect habit streaks, empty planner pages, and more.

She also discusses what IS working well in 2022.

Episode Sponsor: Organize 365!

To learn more about Lisa Woodruff’s work and her amazing offerings, check out organize365.com, or go to organize365.com/minicourse for a free 7 days minicourse on getting yourself organized!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: 2022 Pep Talk, Storing Stationery Items, Planning with your Partner, and More EP 76

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Sarah opens this episode with a discussion of 2022 and how -- despite challenges -- she hopes we can look at the upcoming year with optimism, and still find plenty of reasons to plan and dream of the possibilities of the coming months.

Then, she discusses some new products she has heard about. In the Q&A, she answers questions about planners for those who work night shifts, storing planner-related items, and planning with one's partner.

Episode Sponsor:

PrepDish! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome 2022! Some Goals & Thoughts on Goals EP 75

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome to Season 4 of BLP! In this episode, Sarah discusses a few yearly goal setting tactics and tips, and then reviews her own goals list for 2022!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2022 Planner Stack! EP 74

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Here it comes! In this episode, Sarah goes through each and every planner she hopes to make good use of in 2022. These include a surprise last minute edition, an old standby, 2 potential reading journals, and more!

Products mentioned in this episode:

Full Focus Planner (use SARAH10 for 10% off)

Hobonichi Techo Cousin

Hobonichi Weeks

Hobonichi 5-Year Journal

Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets

JMB Living Journal

My Reading Life: A Book Journal by Anne Bogel

Bibliophile Reader's Journal by Jane Mount

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Journals for Gratitude and Reflection: Oprah Planner + JMB Living Quarterly EP: 73

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah reviews two books that cross over the space between planner and journal, including the JMB Living Quarterly Journal and the Oprah "The Life You Want" Planner (though despite the name -- it has more of a structured journal feel to it!).

Both are beautifully illustrated, with some similarities and some differences! She delves into both, including the types of pages included, paper quality, and the content. Both have wonderful features and would make great adjuncts to anyone still rounding out their 2022 planner stacks and looking for a structured journaling tool :)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Current Planning Obessions + Listener Tips & Questions EP 72

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0000

This episode opens with a discussion of Sarah's current obsessions, including the Hobonichi Weeks as a wellness planner as well as the listmaking app ToDoist.

She then answers a listener who is looking for gender-neutral kid planners, and shares some listener tips on focusing for obligers, a new routine-based resource, and a free end-of-year planning resource.

Episode Sponsor:

PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks FREE!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trello Life Management & More with Anandi Raman Creath EP 71

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Sarah chats with fellow planning enthusiast Anandi Raman Creath!

Anandi is a paper lover and loves the Passion Planner and Nuuna notebooks, but in the past year or so has come to embrace Trello has her main life management system! Learn how she does it and listen for the fun planner chat between two paper + systems devotees :)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Wellness Planners, Planners for Kids' Activities, and a Few Gift Ideas EP 70

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Today's episodes includes a Q&A segment, a fun gift-y product rec, and some musings on moving.

In the Q&A, a listener write in asking for ideas for a wellness planner to track water, exercise, meals, and more. Then, a busy parent asks for a planner to help track kids' activities & babysitter schedules.

Sarah shares one fun holiday gift find - the Messy & Bright box from Archer + Olive, and then ends with some thoughts on moving and all of the organization that it requires!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few Planner Updates + Deep Thoughts on Instagram/Social Media EP 69

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Sarah opens with a few updates -- she discusses Hemlock & Oak as a non-Tomoe River Paper alternative to the Hobonichi Cousin Weekly Layout, plus the large-sized Portfolio Planner release from Full Focus.

She also mentions the MakseLife 2022 release - finally available for purchase!

Then, the episode focuses on social media (or more specifically, her current feelings on her Instagram experience) with a deep dive into pros, cons, and future directions.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Review Episode: 2022 Sprouted and Curation Planners EP 68

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah takes a close look at two smaller/newer brands that you may not have seen yet. The first is Sprouted, a spiral-bound planner with both weekly and daily options.

Sprouted is a small company based in the US with emphasis on intention and connection. The second is Curation, a planner by the Australian company Saint Belford. This is a bound weekly planner with a focus on wellness, goal-setting, and habits.

Finally, Sarah ends this planner-focused episode answering a listener question about the Hobonichi vs Jibun Techo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reflection Season, Planner Pad Review, and an Etsy Find EP 67

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah discusses ways to make the most of the next 2 months (Quintile 5 = Reflection + Celebration season!). Then, she dives into a planner review of the Planner Pad -- which is not really a "pad" per se, but does have a die hard following! Then she discusses an Etsy find that offers daily, weekly, and monthly pages in one book. Episode Sponsor is PrepDish! PrepDish is offering listeners a free 2-week trial to try it out. Check out PrepDish.com/plans for this amazing deal!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Retreats: Personal, Work, Couples and More! EP 66

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah opens with a discussion of planning tips for Obligers, inspired by a listener comment. Then she moves to a discussion about planning retreats -- how to devote an entire day (or more!) to planning, whether it is for work, personal, or with one's partner. She shares her experiences recently helping her husband plan as well (hopefully he will be a guest soon!). Finally, she answers a listener planner matchmaking request - two pages per day PLUS a weekly layout? Not an easy find!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Launching Her Own Stationery Shop with Karina from Honeypress! EP 65

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this fun interview episode, Sarah has a chat with Karina about the origin story and launch of her stationery shop, Honeypress! They also discuss some of her latest releases, including the Kokuyo Jibun Techo lineup, and Karina delves into her plans for 2022. Check out her shop at honeypress-nc.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fall Launch Updates + Q&A: Planner Sizes, Combining Different Areas, and Organizing Weekly Task Lists EP 64

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0000

This episode opens with a discussion of fall launch updates from a few of Sarah's favorite brands, as well as a brief recap of what she is using now. Then, she answers listener questions on illness tracking, combining different areas of life into one book, and finally organizing weekly task lists.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding Planner Peace via Todoist with Sarah Powers! EP 63

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Sarah Powers (@powersofmine on Insta, and cohost of the very popular podcast The Mom Hour) joins Sarah today to discuss her favorite planning tools. She shares how she went from using a Moleskine notebook with a very full and somewhat stressful list-making system to making the most of the app Todoist! She also discusses a bit about how she helps her own kids plan, a tool she uses with her kids at the end of each year to help them think about goals called the Big Life Journal.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chat about All Things Planning-Adjacent with Gretchen Rubin EP 62

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah is thrilled to interview author, speaker, thought leader, and amazing podcast host Gretchen Rubin! They have a really fun conversation about Gretchen's planning habits, from her decades-old Filofax to the Album of Now. Gretchen's new journals are launching this week (October 1), and they include a Don't Break the Chain journal, a One Sentence Journal, and even a super cute tackle box filled with list-worthy pads. Find them (and more) at the-happiness-project.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Full Focus Mini-Review + Q&A: Work Planning EP 61

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah starts out answering a question about what kinds of planning tools she uses in her work day. Then, she provides a follow up recommendation for our listener looking for a comprehensive A4 system - the Panda Planner! Next, she gives a mention to the Manta Planner, a planner designed specifically for those undergoing cancer treatment. Finally, she shares a mini-review of the Full Focus planner, a 3-month planner with goal setting content designed to promote intentionality and margin.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Matchmaking and Ink+Volt Mini-Review EP 60

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah addresses two listeners who wrote in requesting planner matchups! Monica wants a versatile A4 system with tons of features, and Erika is hoping for a planner similar to the Hobonichi Cousin Avec - but on different paper. Another listener writes in asking about Silk + Sonder, and then finally Sarah does a review of the 6 Month Undated Goal Planner from Ink + Volt.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily Planning Love + Kitlife Daily + Page Productivity Planner Mini-Reviews EP 59

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0000

This episode opens with all of the things Sarah loves about daily planning. Benefits as she lists them include motivation, accountability, record-keeping, understanding schedule nuances, having a daily clean slate, and helping to prioritize. Then, the reviews! Kitlife Dailybrings a super-functional daily layout at a great price point. Then comes Jordan Page's Productivity Planner with its unique daily layout. This episode is sponsored by PrepDish! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All About Hobonichi! 2022 Releases, Covers, Tomoe River Paper, and More EP 58

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0000

This episode is all about Hobonichi Techo planners. Sarah discusses the various options (A5 Cousin, A6 Original, Avec, A6 English, Weeks, Weeks Mega -- apologies to the Day Free, which was left out!). Then, she discusses pros and cons of using this unique system. She also discusses how to order on their site, their interesting bonus gifts, and her current ordering plans for this year! This episode is sponsored by Organize 365 - please check out their great offerings and learn more at organize365.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Planner Matchmaking Requests, Gratitude, and Combining Work & Life EP: 57

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0000

This Q&A episode is in part dedicated to planner matchmaking requests! Listeners wrote in asking for various layouts and combos, and Sarah does her best to try to think of great ideas for you. She also answers a listener question about recording gratitude, and another about whether to combine work + life in one book! This episode is sponsored by Organize 365! Organize 365 empowers individuals to learn the functional skills of home and paper organization. Learn more at organize365.com today!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Tips for returning from vacation, Thoughts on Planner Peace, and More EP 56

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this Q&A episode, Sarah discusses some listener tips for what to do to make returning from vacation feel more manageable. Then, there are questions about difficulty finding planner peace, planning for the holiday season (quite early!), cookbook recommendations for planning meals, getting back on track when you've fallen out of the planning routine, and finally about her 9 year old's current planner preferences :)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best Laid Plans + Amanda's Favorites! EP: 55

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Amanda from Amanda's Favorites is known for her amazing and in-depth YouTube planner reviews. Sarah was honored and excited to interview her for the show! They chat about go-to planners, digital planning, under-the-radar planner brands, kids' planning, and more! Check out the show notes page at theshubox.com for links to some of Amanda's videos and some of the products mentioned!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back to School: Routines, Vintage Supplies, & More EP 54

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is all about the back to school season! Sarah discusses routines to think about and other aspects of life to re-evaluate as we head into this second "fresh start" season of the year. Then, in a really fun segment she discusses her favorite blast-from-the-past school supplies from the 1980s + 1990s! Does anyone still have their original Trapper Keeper? Today's episode is sponsored by PrepDish. Go to PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Back + &Studium Daily Planner Review EP 53

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Welcome back to Season 3 of Best Laid Plans! Sarah returns from a monthlong hiatus full of ideas and planning energy. She provides an update on her current planning setup and then dives into a review of the compact and versatile &Studium Daily Undated Study Planner, a 4-month daily planner originally designed for study tracking, but with so much more potential! In the Q&A, Sarah answers a question about getting back into the planning/life routine groove after a vacation.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your Year in Quartiles or Quintiles EP 52

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah does a deep dive into planning larger chunks of the year, whether are quarters or quintiles. She details the feelings and rituals that generally occur in each Quintile, as well as the use of breaking up the year in this way. This episode is sponsored by interactive online yoga studio Stillness + Movement. You can learn more and sign up for class by going to StillnessAndMovement.com and take your first class for free when you use the code BLP.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning, Routines & Crowding out Bad Habits EP 51

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this Deep Dive episodes, Sarah shares details about her morning routine and how she goes about daily planning. She also muses on the idea of essentially crowding out bad or mindless habits by intentionally spending time on things you want to, including through the use of effective routines.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting Started with Planning EP 50

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0000

This episode was inspired by a listener who wanted to hear about ideas for getting started with planning from scratch. While it is hard to be prescriptive about what any one person should use, there are definitely a number of fundamental things to think through as you create your planning and productivity toolkit: calendaring, task and goals management, routines, and finally the aethestics of it all!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Weekly Review EP 49

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0000

This episode takes a deep dive into one of Sarah's favorite planning techniques: the Weekly Review. There are so many great ways to do a weekly review process, and one size definitely does not fit all! Listen to discover the many elements you can mix and match to create a perfect jumping-off point for each new week.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask Me Anything - Your Q&A! EP 48

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0000

For the season finale of BLP, Sarah put out a call to Instagram for questions for an "Ask Me Anything" format episode. Join in to hear Sarah's answers to every question (and next time be sure to submit your own!). BLP will be on hiatus for July, but look out for some re-emergence of "greatest hits" episodes from the archives! Also in the meantime, you can find Sarah at theshubox.com as well as @shubox_plans on Instagram. Happy Summer!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midyear Goals Check-in (with my own goals as an example!) EP 47

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah discusses the merit of performing a mid-year goals check in. She recommends setting aside some time and going carefully through all of the goals you identified at the beginning of the year. And then - the audit can begin! There is no one right way to do a check in, but most will find the process eye-opening and beneficial. Then, Sarah delves into a walk through her own mid-year goals (in Family, Blog/Pod, Work, and Personal) as an example.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Matchmaking with Laura Vanderkam EP 46

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah provides a planner matchmaking service for Laura Vanderkam! Laura is a time management expert who also happens to be Sarah's good friend and podcast cohost on Best of Both Worlds. For years, she's used a plain spiral notebook to hold all of her lists and notes. Can Sarah find some more enticing options? Listen to find out! All items mentioned are linked in the show notes which you can find at https://theshubox.com/best-laid-plans-podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your Summer! EP 45

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0000

This episode is all about planning your summer, with an in-depth discussion of the various things Sarah has spent time dreaming about for Summer 2021. Topics include childcare/camp, personal projects, summer reading & entertainment, travel, retreat or planning, and a minimalist summer bucket list. Quick note: Best Laid Plans will be taking a SUMMER BREAK for the month of July, but will be back chock full of back-to-school energy in August.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Get to Work Book and Much More with Planner Creator Elise Cripe! EP 44

Mon, 24 May 2021 09:00:00 -0000

So many listeners recommended Elise Cripe a guest, and Sarah was thrilled to chat with her about her beautiful, professional, and functional planner: the Get to Work Book! This planner has goal-setting functionality, weekly spreads, and made a unique choice when it comes to holidays - there are none included! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal planning & preparation guides, FREE. If you try it, let me know! I’d love to hear about it!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simplified Planner Review EP 43

Mon, 17 May 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah provides an honest and candid review and walk-through the Simplified Daily Planner by Emily Ley. The Simplified line of planners contains both a daily and weekly option, and all feature beautiful colors and thoughtful design elemnets. Sarah shares her favorite aspects and some of the (few) things she might change if she could! This episode is brought to you by PrepDish! PrepDish is offering Best Laid Plans listeners two weeks free. Go to PrepDish.com/plans for this great offer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A - Long-range planning, less feminine planners, travel planning, and more! EP 42

Mon, 10 May 2021 09:00:00 -0000

It's another all Q&A episode, featuring your submitted write-in and audio questions! Question 1 opens with a question on "manly" planners for a 25 year old who has just received a promotion. Q2 is from a soon-to-be medicine resident wondering if she will still have use for her Hobonichi. Q3 is all about the aesthetics of planner pages -- does Sarah have use for terms like "pre-planning" "messy planning" and "post-planning"?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Essentialism to Effortless with Author Greg McKeown EP 41

Mon, 03 May 2021 09:00:00 -0000

This episode features author Greg McKeown, known for his work Essentialism and now introducing some powerful new ideas in his latest release Effortless. In the conversation, Sarah and Greg take a deeper dive into the why around planning and what questions we should all be asking ourselves as we plan, especially: "What is truly essential" and "How can I make this easier?". Greg shares some of his favorite planning methods and the conversation also delves into the value of reflection and gratitude journaling.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Routines and More with Ashley Brown of Routine & Things! EP 40

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this fun conversational episode, Sarah welcomes Ashley Brown to the show. Ashley is a mother, nurse educator, podcaster, and routines expert! She has her own suite of products designed to help people (especially women) optimize their routines, and she has so much wisdom to share! She also has designed beautiful notepads and other products to help others further curate their own routines to promote a life intention and joy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midyear Planner Switchup and Review of the Erin Condren Softbound Weekly EP 39

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0000

If you have felt the pull to switch planners 3 or 4 months into 2021 -- well, just know that you are not alone! Due to a few factors, Sarah jumped out of the (lovely!) Wonderland 222 and into a larger more colorful Erin Condren softbound weekly, with the hourly layout. She give all listeners official permission to switch if needed and explains what she enjoys about her new system (hint: the paper. EC has really amazing paper).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A Episode: Filing miscellaneous information, tackling the important but non-urgent, tips for planners shopping online, and more! EP 38

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this Q&A episode, Sarah answers listener questions. The first asks about how to handle bits of information that you might need later-- but are unsure exactly when. Then, a listener asks about the Eisenhower matrix, and relates it specifically to her academic job which requires both teaching (urgent + important) and research (non-urgent but still important). Episode Sponsor: Visit The Literacy Teacher’s Life at www.theliteracyteacherslife.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Digital Planning Hacks from Gmail to Tasks to Groceries with Kelsey Wharton EP: 37

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In this fun interview episode, Sarah interviews Kelsey Wharton, a mother of 3 (ages 1-8!) and fellow podcaster -- she cohosts The Girl Next Door Podcast, which happens to be one of Sarah's favorites! Kelsey has always impressed Sarah with her organization hacks and tricks, especially in the digital realm! In this episode, she shares many of her favorite digital methods as well as some key apps (Google Keep, Todoist, and more!) and rituals she uses to help keep the entire family organized.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quintiles or Quarters: How to Consider Your Year in Seasons EP 36

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring Reviews: Day Designer, Villa Beautiful Pens, and A Photo Sticker Printer! EP: 35

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode includes a deep dive review of the Day Designer, a monthly and daily planner with beautiful patterned covers and a distinctive layout. Then, Sarah discusses her recent purchase of two Villa Beautiful crystal gel pens and a photo sticker printer! Episode Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by interactive online yoga studio Stillness + Movement. You can learn more and sign up for class by going to StillnessAndMovement.com and take your first class for free when you use the code BLP.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A Question: Your Voices & More! EP 34

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0000

This episode features 3 listener audio questions, plus a couple of extra bonus questions at the end! Episode Sponsor Note: This episode is sponsored by interactive online yoga studio Stillness + Movement. You can learn more and sign up for class by going to StillnessAndMovement.com and take your first class for free when you use the code BLP.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Organizing Your Home, Your Paper, and Your Life with Organize365's Lisa Woodruff EP 33

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Long-time listeners will know Sarah has been a long term admirer of Organize 365 founder and CEO Lisa Woodruff for quite some time. In today's episode, Sarah has Lisa share some of her greatest ideas (and there are many!) that pertain to organizing time, organizing households, and ultimately increasing productivity and the ability to live with intention. Find more of Lisa's work by checking out her book, The Paper Solution, or via her site at organize365.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Organizing Your Financial Life EP 32

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -0000

This episode is all about ways to organize your finances. Sarah discusses 4 essential parts of being intentional with finances, including tracking your earnings & expenses, learning about investing, following and monitoring your long-term progress, and making sure you are revisiting your financial goals (with your partner, if that applies to you!). Episode Sponsor: Real Life Style - www.real-life-style.com/bestlaidplans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goal Setting, Handwriting, and More with Laken from Plan with Laken! EP 31

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Laken is a longtime member of the online planning community known for her openness, her positive encouragement, and her gorgeous and unique handwriting! In this episode, she gives an overview of her personal planning methods and her goal setting style, plus an introduction to the community she's built to help others achieve their goals. Find her on YouTube or Instagram with the handle @PlanwithLaken and be prepared to be inspired by her colorful layouts and ideas.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mini Q&A and MakseLife Quarterly Goal Setting Notebook Review EP 30

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0000

It's a hybrid episode! In the first portion, Sarah answers listener questions on tasks vs to-dos, managing small recurrent tasks that threaten to take over our actions lists, and ways to organize multiple in-progress projects that involve a lot of reference material. Then, in the product review segment Sarah discusses the MakseLife Quarterly Goal Setting Notebook set.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning & Anticipation in Pandemic Times EP 29

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah takes a deep dives into the concept of planning and anticipation. This is much harder to come by in 2021, but still worth doing! Then, she discusses current planning success & failures. Episode Sponsor: Looking for a wardrobe refresh? Lani Inlander and Real Life Style is here for you! Check out the Wear Your Power e-course at www.real-life-style.com/bestlaidplans -- and mention Best Laid Plans when you sign up to upgrade your course with a free 30 minute Zoom Q&A session!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily Planning, Routines, and Crowding Out Bad Habits EP 28

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Layered Living Planner: Self-care, Goal setting, and More EP 27

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah takes a deep dive into the Layered Living Planner by HerSpace. Sarah shares her thoughts and excitement about this unique planner, and then talks a bit about goal setting planners in general.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Meal planning, Post-baby planning, Quarterly planning pages, "Doing it all", and More EP 26

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this Q&A episode, Sarah answers questions about meal planning, tracking multiple active cases at work, planning in the post-newborn period, how she fits in podcasting with her busy work and family life, and more! Wear Your Power is an on-demand e-course that will give you a new perspective on your style and a week of outfits you love. Find out more at www.real-life-style.com/bestlaidplans and upgrade to a free additional 30-minute Zoom Q&A session by mentioning Best Laid Plans when you sign up!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Chat with Meg & Myra from Planners & Wine! EP 25

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In this very fun guest episode, Sarah interviews Meg and Myra, the cohosts of Planners & Wine -- yes, another podcast about planners! Their podcast is a ton of fun, as they share very real and important opinions (some planner related, and some not!) and have amazing chemistry together. Sarah interviews both Meg & Myra about the mission and direction of their show, their 2021 planner stacks, how they met and got started planning together, and some long term future wishes for the new year.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2021 Systems Overview EP: 24

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0000

It's a new year (AND a new quintile!), so welcome to a brand new season of Best Laid Plans! In this episode, Sarah gives an overview of all of the systems and products she plans on using in 2021 to stay organized, from the digital to the physical.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year End Q&A EP: 23

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0000

It's an all Q&A episode for the end of the year! Sarah answers your questions on goal setting, creating trackers for illnesses, managing big projects, messy planner pages, planners for kids, and more! Keep the questions coming - feel free to submit via email, instagram (@shubox_plans), or even send in a voice recording! And if anyone is interested in becoming a show sponsor to spread the word about your brand or product, let Sarah know!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spaces Planner & Thoughts on Planner Size EP 22

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Still looking for a 2021 planner? In the last review-focused episode of the year, Sarah reviews the unique Spaces Planner! The Spaces is a weekly system with tons of flexibility and an unusual square footprint. Sarah leads with a discussion about matching your planner size to you planner needs -- as in, don't plan on toting a round a dictionary-sized daily! Then comes the review segment. If you are looking for a very flexible weekly planner with lovely paper and lots of notes space, Spaces may be for you!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tips for End of Year Goal Setting (even after a roller coaster of a year!) EP 21

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Sarah shares her end of year goal setting process, as well as some of the things that felt a little more challenging in this usual year. She discusses setting "pandemic-proof" goals, using categories, seeking accountability, getting inspiraiton from others, and choosing a word for the year. If you've created your own goals list or have chosen a word, it can be a wonderful gift to share them! Find Sarah at theshubox.com/best-laid-plans or via instagram at @shubox_plans.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dot Journaling and More with Rachel Miller EP 20

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Rachel Miller is an author, journalist, and her pieces are always creative and fun. She has written her own guide to dot journaling -- filled with artistry and inspiration and fun ideas for using your own dot grid notebook as planner and self-care tool. She shares her current planning methods, tips on how to get started, and surprises me with the planner she is using now. Listen especially if you are considering using a blank dotted notebook as your planner for 2021.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rest EP: 19

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

It's the season of a lot of activity, even during pandemic times. Rest often gets overlooked, but it deserves discussion, contemplation and most likely even a spot in our calendars. In this short but sweet episode, Sarah discusses planned rest, unplanned rest, and the importance of giving ourselves a break sometimes. Show notes are available as always at http://theshubox.com/best-laid-plans-podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time Block Planning and Much More with Cal Newport EP: 18

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Cal Newport is a computer science professor and writer about topics from technology to productivity to work culture, and he is also now the author of his newly released Time Block Planner! Cal chats with Sarah -- a long time fan -- about his productivity systems, digital/paper hybrid planning, planning weekends and personal time, and of course his new paper planner. Delve into the planner at timeblockplanner.com and find more of Cal's work at calnewport.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Technique Spotlight: Monthly Review EP: 17

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Episode 2 focused on the components of current weekly review process; this episode does the same for the monthly review. The Components: 1) Review Prior Month’s Goals and any Lists - celebrate successes & decide what to do with incomplete tasks 2) Budget reconciliation (we use You Need a Budget) 3) Review any upcoming big events with partner (if applicable) See More for 4-7

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Review: Wonderland 222 EP: 16

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Still in planner selection mode for 2021? The Wonderland 222 Planner and Notebook is worth a look, even if you think you've already figured out your perfect system! As a die hard Hobonichi fan I did not think there'd be any question as to what I'll be using next year but . . . this one truly gives me pause, and this episode includes a full review with all of the details.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Reviews! MyWeek and Cultivate What Matters Powersheets Goal Planner EP 15

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

We're deep into planner-buying season, so today's ep is a double review feature! The first product is the compact, versatile and lovely MyWeek. MyWeek is a weekly planner with a lot of versatility and flexibility. Cultivate What Matters is a very popular brand of planners focusing on goal-setting and intentionality. The PowerSheets Goal Planner features gorgeous design, bright colors, and would be a lovely accompaniment for your weekly and monthly review sessions

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A - Planning Through Hectic Work Days, Pandemic Uncertainty and More EP: 14

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0000

It's another Q&A episode! Today, Sarah addresses questions on planning through hectic work days when a lot of unpredictable tasks come up. She also answers questions about planning uncertainty in this era of the pandemic, whether to keep or toss old planners, and where she keeps her planner sidekick. She follows up with some brief planners news on new releases.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning with Inserts, Discs, Rings & More with Imani Michelle E13

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode features a brief update on screen time goals and the planning methods supporting habit change. Then comes our deep dive into the guest segment with Imani Michelle, an attorney in NYC with a passion for planning! Imani plans primarily in ring bound systems, and she gets into the beauty and flexibility that comes with using inserts. Her favorite brands include Cloth & Paper, Luxplans, and 8Lotus -- and she shares her very favorite products from each of these companies.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amplify Planner Review + Q&A EP: 12

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0000

In this review episode, Sarah starts with some listener-submitted tips, and then dives deep into the Amplify Planner and a custom Papier dot grid journal. In the Q&A, a listener writes in about whether having one or many planning tools is better (spoiler answer: it depends!). As always, find more detailed show notes with pictures at theshubox.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Habits Deep Dive: Focus on Screen Time E11

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Today's deep dive concept episode is all about tracking habits. Sarah goes into various ways people track habits in their planning systems, as well as what has worked best for her which is a simple practice of daily habit tracking. She shares her own foundation habits. Finally, there is a brief discussion of two new planners on the scene - the Amplify quarterly planner and a new rising star, Wonderland 222.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A Episode Plus a Surprise Cameo EP: 10

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 09:00:00 -0000

It's another BLP Q&A Epsiode! In this episode, Sarah answers questions about her accessory notebook, workout and meal planning, keeping track of big projects, and how to capture small details that link to calendar events. Then comes a surprise cameo from a young Hobonichi fan . . .

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Favorite planning-related podcasts, books, and a look into favorite fall planner releases! EP 9

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 09:00:00 -0000

This potpourri episode is filled with favorites related to planning! Sarah goes into her most influential/inspirational planning-related books as well as her top 5 favorite planning podcasts. Then, there is an overview of upcoming fall planner releases for 2021! Find Sarah on instagram @shubox_plans as well as theshubox.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tatiana, Owner and Creator at The Stationery Muse! EP 8

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Tatiana is an inspiring young entrepreneur with amazing design sense and a giving, open spirit. She has a shop called The Stationery Muse that features beautiful stickers, planning products, and now she is launching her own planner product for entrepreneurs! She shares how she grew her business, what it is like to design a planner, and shares her own planning favorites.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Product Reviews: Live Rich Planner & Jibun Techo Biz EP 7

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the first official product review episode! Today Sarah will be reviewing 2 very different products - the large and comprehensive ring-bound Live Rich Planner and the compact Japanese Jibun Techo Biz (B6). Find out if either of these deserves consideration for your 2021 system! As always, look for show notes with pictures on theshubox.com -- just click on the "Best Laid Plans" button and scroll down to the full show notes posts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Basics: Building Your System from the Ground Up! Ep 6

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0000

This episode was inspired by a listener who wanted to hear about ideas for getting started with planning from scratch. While it is hard to be prescriptive about what any one person should use, there are definitely a number of fundamental things to think through as you create your planning and productivity toolkit. While there is no one-size-fits-all system, this episode provides you with the framework you need to decide how to get started.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning and Productivity Q&A EP 5

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0000

In this all Q&A episode, Sarah addresses questions from listeners submitted through her blog & Instagram! Topics include: specific descriptions of planning rituals (with time estimates), how to make planning a habit, time blocking, how to stay in one planner for the year, how to keep daily pages neat when things change, coordinating planning with a partner. You can submit future questions any time via Sarah's blog (theshubox.com) or through Instagram (@shubox_plans)!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rocketbooks, Kanban, and More with Guest Planning Master Beth Cubbage EP: 4

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0000

In this very first guest episode, digital planning and organization master Beth Cubbage joins Sarah to discuss an array of hybrid methods, from the Rocketbook to electronic calendars. They also delve into kanban, a technique popular in the software community, and how it works well for helping kids visualize school tasks - ever so important in this new era of online school! Sarah also shares some excitement over the 2021 Hobonichi launch preview and answers 2 questions in the brand new Q&A segment.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Overview of Current Systems -- Hobonichi & Beyond EP: 3

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0000

To give you an idea of my typical planning toolbox, today's episode features a planner 'walk through' of the Hobonichi Techo Cousin planner system and the accessories I love to use with it it. Discussions include using calendar pages for tracking, time blocking, and daily planning. There's also a mention of a few of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) digital tools. At the time of this episode's recording I was experimenting with a bullet journal. I enjoy that approach so more on that in the future.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Technique Spotlight on The Weekly Review EP: 2

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello & A Planning Story . . . EP: 1

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:57:00 -0000

Hello and welcome to Best Laid Plans! Today's episode gives you a little bit of background about me (your host, Sarah Hart-Unger) and tells the story of how I became so fascinated by planners and planning techniques over the years. Take a trip down memory lane with me as I recount the glory of planners past and take a journey into my planning present & future!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices