Shows
Best Laid PlansTracking All The Things: How Much is Too Much?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...
2026-02-1623 min
Best Laid PlansSextiles, Morning Pages, Goals Lists and More: Listener Tips & Q&AIn 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...
2026-01-1226 min
Best Laid PlansSharing 2026 Goals + A Few Q&A!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...
2025-12-2924 min
Best Laid PlansSystems Switchups for 2026 + Sarah Dissects a Big Gnarly GoalIn 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...
2025-12-2224 min
Best Laid PlansDecember Q&A: Sarah's Morning Routine + Using the Planner You Have, Plus Listener TipsIn 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
Gree...
2025-12-1522 min
TrustworthyIdentity in Community with Tom and Chane' HartTom and Chane Hart join the podcast! Tom is an RUF campus minister at Furman University and he and Chane are parents of four, veterans of multiple cross-country moves and thoughtful leaders about Christian community. They joined us to talk about identity in Christ, orphan mentalities vs. beloved-child confidence, tiers of relationships, and why authentic community is simultaneously hard, glorious, and only a foretaste of what’s coming.They didn't ask for this, but if you feel a prompting to support their ministry financially, you can donate here. Key Quo...
2025-12-0942 min
Best Laid Plans10 Things To Consider If You’re Feeling ScatteredInspired 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/newsletterEmail 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...
2025-09-2223 min
Best Laid PlansPlanner Peace & Accessibility + Discussing Wirecutter's 2026 Planner PicksIn 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!
...
2025-09-1522 min
Best Laid PlansSeptember Q&A: Planner News, Planner Peace from a SAHM, Work/Life Separation, and MoreIn 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...
2025-09-0825 min
Best Laid PlansSarah's Systems Update: What's Working, What's Not, and What's In Store for 2026!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 AvecErin Condren B6 18 Month SoftboundHobonichi 5-Year JournalErin Condren WhiteboardEssential Calendar (affiliate link: https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS + use code BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off)Digital: Apple Notes, YNAB, Google SheetsSticker printer: Canon Selphy X20
Episode Sponsors:IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year...
2025-09-0123 min
Best Laid PlansAugust Q&A: Hobonichi, Taylor Swift, and MoreIn 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...
2025-08-2525 min
Best Laid Plans5 Things (Other Than Planners) To Consider Carefully Heading Into Back-to-SchoolIn 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...
2025-08-1122 min
Best Laid PlansPlanner Peace + Efficiency Hacks from Seasoned Professor Sarah McConnellIt'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:...
2025-07-2837 min
Best Laid PlansReal Talk: Podcast Behind the Scenes with SarahIn 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/newsletterCourses: theshubox.com/coursesBooks Read in 2025: theshubox.com/2025-books
Episode Sponsors
IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans
l...
2025-07-1425 min
Best Laid PlansJuly Q&A: Airtight Task Capture, Planning Time Away from Work, and More!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...
2025-07-0721 min
Best Laid PlansMid-Year Check In: Tips & Sarah's Own Midyear ReviewIn 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...
2025-06-3029 min
Best Laid PlansJune Q&A: Planner Swapping, Partner/Friend Planning Dilemmas, Planning with Unpredictable Time Blocks, Planners for Tweens/Teens with ADHD, and MoreIt'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...
2025-06-2328 min
Best Laid PlansMini-Review of Kendra Adachi's Playbooks + Planner Peace from A Completist ListenerIn 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...
2025-05-1921 min
Best Laid PlansIn the Weeds: Thoughts on Climbing Out from Overwhelm + OverloadIn 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
Sign up for the newsletter at theshubox.com/newsletter
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 Sp...
2025-05-0524 min
Best Laid PlansPlanning Your Spring: Quintile 2 Planning Deep Dive Bonus ReplaySarah 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...
2025-03-1725 min
Best Laid PlansUnexpected Things Happen: Sarah's Current ChallengesA 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 pl...
2025-03-1016 min
Best Laid PlansJanuary Energy + 3 Essential SystemsIn 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.html2) All About Nested Goals: https://theshubox.com/2024/01/episode-182-nested-goals-explained.html3) Second Brain concept (credit to...
2025-01-1325 min
Best Laid PlansRevealed: 2025 Planner Stack!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/coursesTOOLS MENTIONED* BLP Live/Home Workbook* BLP...
2024-12-0925 min
Best Laid PlansPlanning Your Spending with Jen SmithIn 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...
2024-12-0234 min
Best Laid PlansPlanning Changes for Next Year, Just Scribbles Planner Mini-Review, and Nested Goals ExampleToday'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...
2024-11-1123 min
Best Laid PlansOctober Q&A: 99% Paper Planner Peace, Hot Tips, and Can Chat GPT Pick Your Planner?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 SegmentProducts mentioned:- Plotter: https://plotterusa.com/leather-binders- Raymay-Davinci: https://yosekastationery.com/search?q=raymayHot Tips:Apps mentioned: OneSec , Forest Essential Calendar: https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS - use BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% offNote: Sarah is an affiliate and earns a small commission...
2024-10-2129 min
Best Laid PlansHow a Full Time Academic + Mother of 5 Gets it Done (with Joy!), Featuring Sarah JeddIn 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.
2024-10-1430 min
Best Laid PlansMixed Bag Ep: Planner Peace, Planner News, and Dealing with Stressful / Uncertain TimesIt'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-calendarLaurel Denise:Hemlock & Oak:Part 2: Planner News!Sarah discusses some new trends in planning, including planner minimalism - as evidenced by Rochelle In...
2024-09-0919 min
Best Laid PlansJuly Q&A: Planner Peace x 2, Task Management on Paper, Notetaking, and More!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
2024-07-2232 min
Best Laid PlansThoughts on Time Block PlanningIn 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 WeeksBest 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-permanentlyAbout Progress ep mentioned (with Catherine Pr...
2024-06-2422 min
Best Laid PlansJune Q + A: Working in Distracting Environments, Budget Planning, Mental Health and MoreIn 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...
2024-06-1725 min
Best Laid PlansMay Q&A: Margins, Travel, Laurel Denise Planners, and Avoiding That "Am I Missing Something?" FeelingIn 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 daySarah mentions the 5/31...
2024-05-2724 min
Best Laid PlansTop 5 Things Episode (in honor of my birthday!)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...
2024-05-2025 min
Best Laid PlansSpring Planner Reviews: Small Niche Brands!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 layouts2) 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!
2024-03-2530 min
Best Laid PlansYour Ideal WeekToday'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...
2024-03-1823 min
Best Laid PlansMarch Q&A: Planning in Career Transitions, Morning Planning, and Organizing Tasks Around a Big Move or Other Life ShiftWelcome 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 tasksEpisode Sponsors:PrepDish: Check out their new PROTEIN BOOST menus...
2024-03-0423 min
Best Laid PlansDeep Dive: Handling Life's MinutiaeToday'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...
2024-02-1928 min
Best Laid PlansThoughts on Resting WellWe 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 LakshminDo Nothing by Jenny OdellWintering by Katherine MayRest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia...
2024-02-1222 min
Best Laid PlansFebruary Q&A: Checklists, Business, Inbox Zero, Email Management + MoreIt'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) projects2) Thoughts on Atul Gawande's The Checklist Manifesto3) "Can you talk about busyness?"4) 100 Dream List - what is it, and where to keep?5) Planning-adjacent ideas for managing kids' clothes6) Inbox Zero methodology7) Planning/task and data management for a new family medical diagnosis8) How to balance goal setting with flexibility?SPONSORS:
2024-02-0530 min
Best Laid PlansJanuary Q&A: Task Management, Project Management for Home Tasks, Negative Goals, and Building a Seasonal Reference PlannerIn 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-parentThe Eisenhower Matrix (James Clear's take): https://jamesclear.com/eisenhower-boxCal 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.comVoice questions: https://www...
2024-01-1528 min
Best Laid PlansEnjoying Media (The Non-Social Kind!)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.comVoice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplansInfo on Best Laid Plans...
2024-01-0821 min
Best Laid PlansHappy New Year! 2024 GoalsThis 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...
2024-01-0121 min
Best Laid Plans2023: Favorites, Hits & MissesIn 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.comVoice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplansInfo on Best Laid Plans at Home: theshubox.com/coursesSend me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189Sign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox...
2023-12-2522 min
Best Laid Plans2024 is Coming: Annual Goals + ResolutionsIn 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...
2023-12-1825 min
Best Laid PlansDecember Q&A: Thought Capture Overload, Weekly/Monthly Planning, Work + Post-Baby Goal-setting, and Hobonichi Setup!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 Overload2) End-of-residency Planning - Lack of Motivation to Set Work Goals3) Organization of weekly / monthly / quintile goals lists4) 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...
2023-12-1131 min
Best Laid Plans2024 Planner Stack & More!In today's episode, Sarah shares how she used her 2023 planners and then unveils her 2023 planner stack!!Products Mentioned:Hobonichi Cousin AvecHobonichi A6 OriginalCloth & Paper Disc-Bound Half-Letter Hobonichi 5 Year JournalAshley 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...
2023-12-0428 min
Best Laid PlansDigital Detox Lessons, Yearly Themes, Seasonal Planning + MoreIn 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.htmlEpisode Sponsors:Jenni Kayne: Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15...
2023-11-2719 min
Best Laid PlansMeal Planning + More with Meghan Splawn from Didn't I Just Feed YouToday'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 ShopFind more from Meghan and listen to Didn't I Just Feed You at http://didntijustfeedyou.com Episode Sponsors:Cloth & Paper: Cloth & Paper makes luxe planning essentials with a beautiful minimal aesthetic. Visit clothandpaper.com and use code BESTLAIDPLANS to receive a FREE Es...
2023-11-2035 min
Best Laid PlansNovember Q&A! Health/fitness goals, Starting a Planning Habit, Goal-setting Planners, and Planning the HolidaysSarah 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 quintile3- 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?
2023-11-1328 min
Best Laid PlansFAQs: Thing That Get Asked a Lot!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...
2023-11-0628 min
Best Laid Plans2024 Planner Reviews x 3! Passionate Penny Pincher, Sprouted, and Pen + PillarSarah 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...
2023-10-2331 min
Best Laid PlansInputs, Reactivity & InterruptionsIt'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!...
2023-10-1620 min
Best Laid PlansSeptember Q&A: Planning "Syllabus", Planner Conferences, Teaching Kids to Use Planners, Pregnancy Planners, Daily Planners without Timeslots + More!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 Pregnancy2) Daily planners without a timeline3) Teaching kids to plan4) Planner conferences (ie, Go Wild and others)5) Concept of "syllabus" for your planningFeedback: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'
2023-09-1822 min
Best Laid PlansHow Teachers Plan + How Can Students Plan from a Teacher's PerspectiveThe 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 @buildingasocialstudieslibraryThanks...
2023-09-1125 min
Best Laid PlansTop Work Tips (Planning-Adjacent!)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!Co...
2023-09-0419 min
Best Laid PlansHobonichi 2024 + Best Laid Plans Academy Round 3In 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.comWonderland 222: https://wonderland222.comSterling Ink: https://sterling-ink.comShe 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...
2023-08-2824 min
Best Laid PlansPlanning x Crafts: Planning to Enjoy the Hobbies You Love with Sherri McConnell of A Quilting LifeSherri 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...
2023-08-2127 min
Best Laid PlansQuintile 4: Guide to Planning and Thinking Through the SeasonIn 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...
2023-08-1419 min
Best Laid PlansAugust Q&A: Planning in Challenging Life Phases, Planner Rec for 2 Teen Boys, Big Weekly Planners, Dangling Task Management, Planner-Shy, and More!In this Q&A episode, Sarah provides her take on listener questions:Q1: Planning during challenging life phasesQ2: Back to school planner recs for a pair of teen brothersQ3: Planner matchmaking for a WFH mother seeking a BIG planner to manage both work, home tasks + homeschoolingQ4: Dangling tasksQ5: 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...
2023-08-0728 min
Best Laid PlansOrganize 365 x Best Laid Plans: Lisa Woodruff Interviews Sarah for the Back to School BlitzToday'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...
2023-07-3141 min
Best Laid PlansDaily Rituals + 3 Mini-Reviews: Passion Planner, Rad & Happy, and Performance Lab's Focus PlannerIn part 1 of today's episode, Sarah presents 3 mini-reviews -- clearing out her to-be-reviewed stash!1) Rad & Happy undated weekly planner2) Passion Planner academic weekly + erasable pens3) 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...
2023-07-2425 min
Best Laid PlansDecluttering, Organizing, and Stuff: Past, Present, and FutureIn 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!...
2023-07-1719 min
Prime Spark with Sara HartRetirement as Seen From a Boat with Sarah KellyAfter a very successful 31 year career in a series of scientific and matrix leadership roles, Sarah Kelly retired from Pfizer Inc. She now heads a consulting company and serves on the boards of a couple of organizations in Mystic, CT. Sarah joined me for the podcast from her boat at a wharf on Cape Cod. You will love listening to Sarah talk about her journey to retirement and beyond.
2023-07-1223 min
Best Laid Plans2023: Life + Planning Updates (Where It Started / How It's Going)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 startedJenni 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...
2023-06-1224 min
Best Laid PlansQ&A: Keeping Track of Health-Details, Photo & Memory Organization, Planners for Kids, and Planning on the FlyIt'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...
2023-06-0522 min
Best Laid PlansSummer Planning: From Travel to Reading to Special Summer Vibes, plus Introducing the Digital Detox Mini-CourseThis 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/coursesEpisodes Mentioned:1...
2023-05-2922 min
Best Laid PlansHabits, Intention and Overcoming Perfectionism with Monica PackerIn 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.comThanks 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
2023-05-2228 min
Best Laid PlansErin Condren + The Productivity Planner: Two Spring Planner Reviews!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
2023-05-1532 min
Best Laid PlansEfficiency Tips for Health Care ProvidersIn 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...
2023-05-0828 min
Best Laid PlansQ&A: Custom Planners, Sarah's Ideal Planner, Podcast Recs + More!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...
2023-05-0122 min
Best Laid PlansHeart to Heart Screen Time TalkSarah 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.html2) Leslie, a self-described "mid/later-life" yogi who always has thoughtful perspectives on all things planning-adjacentThen, 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...
2023-04-2424 min
Best Laid PlansMini-Q&A (Sleep + Biological Rhythms) + Product Review: Flame Tree Midi Notebooks, Karst Stone Paper, and EC Meal Planning Petite PlannerIn 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.html2) Karst Stone Paper Daily Planning Pad: via Jenni Bick: https://www.jennibick.com/collections/notebooks/products/karst-stone-paper-daily-action-pad3) EC Petite Planner Meal Planner:https://www.erincondren.com...
2023-04-1721 min
Best Laid PlansOutside-the-Box Travel Planning Tips from the RoadSarah 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...
2023-04-1017 min
Best Laid PlansAMA (Ask Me Anything): Morning Routine, Wardrobe Organization, Travel, and MoreIn 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 2023Get in Touch:Learn about...
2023-03-2727 min
Best Laid PlansOrganizing and Planning Your Budget with Allison BaggerlyAllison 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 IGBest Laid Plans episode on Finance: https://theshubox.com/2021/03/best-laid-plans-ep-32-planning-your-financial-life.htmlLinks & Resources -- Working on an Ask Me Anything...
2023-03-2032 min
Best Laid PlansPens, Highlighters, Accessories + More!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/blpaEmail me: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.com / Text: (305) 697-7189Episode 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...
2023-03-1320 min
Best Laid PlansFeb Q&A: Planning Gender Divide, Password Management, Planning in Pregnancy, and Overwhelm with Annual GoalsIn 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/blpaEmail: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.comVoice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com...
2023-02-2025 min
Best Laid PlansCoping During Stressful Times, Monthly Goal Planner, and Best Laid Plans Academy DetailsIn 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...
2023-02-0620 min
Best Laid PlansPlanner Fail? Two Great Weekly Options: Haroo Planner + Roterunner Purpose PlannerFirst, 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...
2023-01-3031 min
Best Laid PlansQ&A: Keeping Track of Meeting Notes, Irregular Schedules, Erasable Pens, Tracking Ongoing Tasks + Planner Peace Gold!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...
2023-01-1623 min
Best Laid PlansA Successful + Fun Kickoff to 2023 + Sarah's 2023 GoalsWelcome 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/blpaEpisode 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...
2023-01-0221 min
Best Laid PlansLive from Our Planning Retreat: Interview with Joshua UngerSarah 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...
2022-11-0723 min
Best Laid PlansNolki & Other Planner Updates + Planning Profile: Kate Hanley, Author + PodcasterSarah 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'
2022-09-1932 minBest Laid PlansHow Sarah Organizes Her LifeInspired 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...
2022-09-0524 min
Best Laid Plans2023 Hobonchi Deep DiveIt'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...
2022-08-2923 min
Best Laid PlansGetting Though Tough Times: COVID Edition ReAirToday'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 you2. Pay attention to basic body maintenance...
2022-07-2522 min
Best Laid PlansAn All-Digital Planner Peace, Work Notebook Recs, and Vacation Planning (and Packing!) StrategiesIn 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:Green Chef: The number one meal kit for eating well. Go to greenchef.com/plans130 use code plans130...
2022-06-0623 min
Best Laid PlansA Detailed Planner Peace and a Review of the 2022/23 EC Daily DuoIn 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.comSarah's Erin Condren referral link: https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/sarahhartunger/1Episode Sponsors:Gusto: Gusto’s modern HR platform makes it easy to...
2022-05-3025 min
Best Laid PlansWhen Life Gets Messy: How to Dig Yourself Out and Feel BetterIn 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...
2022-04-1821 min
Best Laid PlansMini Q&A + Planner Review: The ProAction PlannerIn 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
2022-01-3125 min
Best Laid PlansFinding Planner Peace via Todoist with Sarah Powers!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...
2021-10-1135 min
Best Laid PlansAsk Me Anything - Your Q&A!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
2021-06-2833 min
Best Laid PlansPlanner Matchmaking with Laura VanderkamIn 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
2021-06-1426 min
Best Laid PlansDigital Planning Hacks from Gmail to Tasks to Groceries with Kelsey WhartonIn 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
2021-04-0530 min
Best Laid PlansTips for End of Year Goal Setting (even after a roller coaster of a year!)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
2020-12-1417 min
Well Being, Well Said.8. Sarah Hart - Motherhood, Feeding A Family, & Healing Autoimmune DiseaseI am amazed by the way Sarah Hart shows up as a mother, wife, and influencer every day! And she doesn't just "show up" either... she shows up well. From the way she feeds her family to how she teaches her kids about Jesus, she is always intentional. Besides raising children, she also manages to work towards a better relationship with her husband, carves out time for some self love, and runs a beautiful health and wellness Instagram account. (@youcookbeautiful)
Not too long ago, Sarah was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease known as Hashimotos. In this episode...
2020-11-0440 min
Best Laid PlansFavorite planning-related podcasts, books, and a look into favorite fall planner releases!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
2020-09-2124 min
Best Laid PlansPlanning and Productivity Q&AIn 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
2020-08-2426 min
Best Laid PlansRocketbooks, Kanban, and More with Guest Planning Master Beth CubbageIn 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
2020-08-1734 min
Best Laid PlansHello & A Planning Story. . .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
2020-07-2814 min