Best Laid Plans

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,...

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 org...

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...

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

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 L...

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,...

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...

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.f...

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 en...

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) wi...

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 wellnes...

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 lis...

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 ans...

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

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

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...

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 t...

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 Fu...