Best Laid Plans

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 cu...

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: Cla...

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 ki...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 he...

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-...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...