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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.
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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...2025-05-0526 minBest 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...2025-01-1328 minBest 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...2024-12-0927 minBest 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/newsletter2024-07-2235 minBest 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...2024-06-2424 minBest 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...2024-06-1727 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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
Loving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerFinding Empowering Love in 2024 with Stephen Muiruri, Ladies THIS is Your Year of Self Discovery and Love!Send us a textIf you are wondering if there is no future with love in it for you, or you feel lonely, or burnt out with seeking a partner, you are going to love today's episode. Get ready to feel hope and empowerment at any age! Nt very many people can leave me speechless, but today's guest, Stephen Muiruri did just that. I just sat and soaked in all the refreshing wisdom of Stephen's words. Come on a journey of self discovery with me! Stephen is a Transformational Speaker and Relationship Coach. He c...2024-02-2736 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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 minBest 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...2023-11-2721 minBest 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...2023-11-2037 minBest 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?2023-11-1330 minBest 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...2023-11-0630 minBest 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...2023-10-2333 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerDharma- One of my Favorite Episodes!Send us a textDue to traveling and not being able to get this week's episode done, I am replaying this episode 54 as a Special! Next week I have a very amazing treat! I can't wait to tell you about it! Questions? Comments? Interested in being a guest on my podcast? Click one of my social media links below and send me a DM!Don't forget to subscribe, rate and leave feedback! Have a great day!Find me, Follow me and Benefit from me at these links!https://www.instagram.com...2023-10-1717 minBest 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!...2023-10-1622 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerJust Change Already! Why You May Not Be Making ProgressSend us a textThis week on episode 82 I get back to basics of determining if we have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset and how each one can help or hinder your progress. So many nuggets in this episode!!! Enjoy! Questions? Comments? Interested in being a guest on my podcast? Click one of my social media links below and send me a DM!Don't forget to subscribe, rate and leave feedback! Have a great day!Find me, Follow me and Benefit from me at these links!https://www.ins...2023-10-1019 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerWhen You Have One of THOSE Days. UUghSend us a textWe all have them! Hopefully not as much, but once in a while you jut have a day where nothing goes right. Episode 81 discusses that and how to deal with miscommunications. Thanks for joining me!!Questions? Comments? Interested in being a guest on my podcast? Click one of my social media links below and send me a DM!Don't forget to subscribe, rate and leave feedback! Have a great day!Find me, Follow me and Benefit from me at these links!https://www.instagram.com/missi_lov...2023-10-0320 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerLife Hacks to Eliminate Distractions. Be More PresentSend us a textDo you find that you cannot focus and give your attention to the person or task at hand? Today I coach on ways to learn how to limit distractions and practice mindfulness and focus. You don't want to miss this!! Here's to Loving Life on YOUR terms! Questions? Comments? Interested in being a guest on my podcast? Click one of my social media links below and send me a DM!Don't forget to subscribe, rate and leave feedback! Have a great day!Find me, Follow me and...2023-09-2615 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerThe World's Chaos Have You Paralyzed With Fear? Push Play and Start Living Again!Send us a textEvery time you pick up your phone to get online you are more than likely being bombarded with bad news or even projected bad news.. Join me today and learn how to have hope despite what you see and hear! Remember!! Living in a state of fear is really not living at all! Questions? Comments? Interested in being a guest on my podcast? Click one of my social media links below and send me a DM!Don't forget to subscribe, rate and leave feedback! Have a great da...2023-09-1918 minBest 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'2023-09-1824 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerStory Telling with Author and Artist, Dee Burks. How Story Telling Changes Your Mindset to Keep You Inspired on Your Journey!Send us a textHave you ever been to an event where the speaker begins with a story that connects you to them or their content on an emotional level? It's powerful isn't it? Today I have my great friend Dee Burks on the podcast! She is a Best Selling author and has a successful You Tube Channel, Dee utilizes story telling for a living! Join us to learn the powerful way story telling keeps us as humans connected and helps change our mindsets when we need it the most! I am sharing links...2023-09-1233 minBest 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...2023-09-1127 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerYou Are Not Everyone's Cup of Tea! How to Stop Trying to Fit In.Send us a textHey community! Today I'm coaching on great steps to enjoy awkward situations where you dont know anyone in a group setting and you do not fit in. Learn great mindset tips on relaxing and enjoying anyways, with confidence!Being newly relocated in a new town has provided us with several of these situations!! Questions? Comments? Interested in being a guest on my podcast? Click one of my social media links below and send me a DM!Don't forget to subscribe, rate and leave feedback! Have a great day...2023-09-0517 minBest 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...2023-09-0421 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerStress and Your Relationship, Boosting Being Validated and SupportedSend us a textSo many relationships start to crumble when one partner is not feeling valued. Resentment and animosity flood in where the respect and love once lived.Today we discuss how to keep that from happening! Onward with our leaving the old versions of ourselves behind!! Questions? Comments? Interested in being a guest on my podcast? Click one of my social media links below and send me a DM!Don't forget to subscribe, rate and leave feedback! Have a great day!Find me, Follow me and Benefit from me...2023-08-2921 minBest 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...2023-08-2826 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerTips and Mantras to Prioritize Yourself so Your Cup is FullSend us a textDid you know if you do not take time to prioritize yourself, you become someone elses priority due to melt downs etc. Today we discuss how not to find yourself in that boat!! I promised I would include the powerful mantras in the show notes so you can copy and paste them!! Utilizing these will help you have more success with mindsets and reaching your goals. Mantras to say as you wake, as you look at your reflection, as you go through your day and as you go to sleep. 2023-08-2218 minBest 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...2023-08-2130 minLoving Life Mindsets With Melissa UngerHow to Get Your Empowerment Back and Create that New Version of YOU!Send us a textToday I discuss things that we dont really pay alot of attention to, Simple strategies to realize anad utilize your inner power! You are a force to be reckoned with, you have a voice, you have a place and t doesnt matter your circumstances! Join me and start loving your life! Questions? Comments? Interested in being a guest on my podcast? Click one of my social media links below and send me a DM!Don't forget to subscribe, rate and leave feedback! Have a great day!Find me...2023-08-1524 min