Best Laid Plans

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 Po...

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 +...

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 en...

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 he...

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 Roterunne...

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 fin...

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 highl...

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...

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 bo...

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...

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...

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 Notebo...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 th...

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

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 reveal...

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 Spon...

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 reques...

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...

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...

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!...

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: He...