Best Laid Plans

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...

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, includin...

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!...

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 (tr...

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...

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 d...

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 Er...

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...

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 - s...

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: P...

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 declutterin...

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 som...

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 yoursel...

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...

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...

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! Lear...

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...

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...

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 Ch...

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 wi...

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: Organi...

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 n...

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 m...

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 abou...

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,...