Welcome to Best Laid Plans -- a podcast all about planning and the planning tools we love. From planning techniques and organizing philosophies to planners and notebooks, we cover it all. Host Sarah Hart-Unger is a mother of 3, physician, podcasting pro, and a lover of lists and all things paper! Listen in weekly for conversations about planning and productivity as well as product reviews and interviews with planning experts!
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POTY: The Podcast for Parents of the Year is a funny look at parenting and work/life balance. Join us while we discuss our parenting fails and wins and the ups and downs of raising 4 kids.
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Would you like the ability to influence the thoughts, feelings, behaviors of others? To be able to guide the ones we love
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How a Full Time Academic + Mother of 5 Gets it Done (with Joy!), Featuring Sarah Jedd EP 220
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In 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) sha…
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October Q&A: 99% Paper Planner Peace, Hot Tips, and Can Chat GPT Pick Your Planner? EP 221
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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 Segment Products mentioned: - Plotter: https://plotterusa.com/leather-binders - Raymay-Davinci: https://yosekastationery.com/search?q=raymay Hot Tips: Apps mentioned: OneSec , Forest Essential Calen…
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Top 10 Ideas for Your Paper Planner, Digital Displays, Screen Time Consciousness + more EP 219
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Highlights of this episode: - Sarah opens by sharing details about BLP at Home: Planning 2025 (visit theshubox.com/courses for details) - A listener (Bridget) shares her experiences with a display showing Google calendar - her setup, impact on kids, husband, etc! - Discussion of screen time consciousness and the app Aro, which gamifies putting away…
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It's (almost) a new month, and today's episode is all about THE MONTH! Sarah shares her love for the 12 natural outpoints in our year and discusses ways she loves to mark the start of a new month. She shares her monthly goal setting tactics, and how the month slots into the Nested Goals framework. She also advocates for planning in FUN on a monthly…
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Sept Q&A: Quintiles Idea, Annual Planning, Family Communication Tools, Extra-long Term Goals, and Studying for a Big Test (MCAT) EP 217
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In today's episode, Sarah shares some listener tips + answers questions that came in through email or text (305-697-7189)! Topics include: - Fun tip for using stickers/etc acquired on vacation - Unique Quintiles use case from Emily (http://pfforphds.com/podcast/) - Discussion of annual planning recommendations (note - for those that want a guided a…
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In today's episode, Kendra Adachi joins Sarah to chat about all things planning-adjacent including her new book, The Plan! Kendra is a NYT Bestselling author and podcaster at the Lazy Genius, and she brings her compassion and unique perspective to planning, goal setting, and time management in her latest book, The Plan. Sarah and Kendra discuss goa…
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Mixed Bag Ep: Planner Peace, Planner News, and Dealing with Stressful / Uncertain Times EP 215
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It'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/…
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How to Build More Intentionality Into Your Life EP 214
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In today's episode, Sarah explores the concept of intentionality. She discussed examples and ways we can unknowingly live without much intention and then suggests strategies (large and small) to promote more intentional living. Things to think about: - Career autopilot/drift - Responding to others' expectations - Saying yes to everything - Failing …
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August Q&A: Inbox Zero, Big Projects, Working Speed, Mindfulness, and More! EP: 213
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It's August's Q&A episode! Join Sarah as she tackles listener questions and comments. Topics include: - an inbox zero success story - approaching nebulous//large projects such as book writing - what does it mean to "work faster" compared to others - thoughts on the Organize 365 Sunday Basket system (Sarah has one!) - teaching planning and organizin…
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Mixed Bag: PTO Tracking, Post-Vacation Analysis + 2025 Planner Preview (Hobonichi + More) EP 212
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It's a Mixed Bag ep! Topics covered: 1- PTO Spreadsheet - inspired by my friend Kae (gratefulkae.com) 2- Vacation Postmortem! Consider doing a post-trip analysis with a partner. Can also extend to other home areas (summer, a school year, a holiday season, etc!) 3- Two upcoming books I’m excited about - Kendra Adachi’s The Plan and Oliver Burkeman’s…
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Quintile 4 + Q&A Deep Dive: Sticking to Your Plan EP 211
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Today's episode features a discussion of all things related to Quintile 4, the season after summer! Sarah features some back to school discussion, but there she also addresses some non-school-related shifts in the season as well as future planning to think about. Then, she dives into a listener query about sticking to plans -- how do you stick to y…
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You Only Die Once: Mortality, Planning, and So Much More with Jodi Wellman EP 210
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In today's episode, Sarah interviews Jodi Wellman on her work on mortality and how the concept of death / our finite lives can inspire living a life with vitality, meaning, and -- for lack of a better term, more "aliveness." Jodi holds a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and spent years exploring and applying these tough topics to help others …
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Best Laid Plans Academy: Honing Your Planning Systems at Every Level EP 209
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In today's episode, Sarah discusses her flagship planning course, Best Laid Plans Academy, as she prepares the launch the fourth round (the first in 2024!). She discusses takeaways from prior rounds, why this material works in a course format, and shares the course topics and logistics. To learn more, visit theshubox.com/courses; signup information…
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July Q&A: Planner Peace x 2, Task Management on Paper, Notetaking, and More! EP 208
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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 comi…
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Planners, Goals, and Fun with MakseLife Founder Sierra Friend EP 207
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In today's episode, Sarah interviews Sierra Friend, creator and head of MakseLife, a major player in the planner universe today! She discusses how her line of planners came to be, what sets them apart in the market, her thoughts on goal setting, and much more! Teen planning printable discussed in the episode (free!): https://makselife.com/collectio…
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Summer Reading: Reading Habits, TBR Lists, Paper vs Digital, and Favorites of 2024 (so far!) EP206
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In today's episode, Sarah talks all about one of her favorite hobbies -- reading! She discusses her own reading journey over the years and then talks about the practical side: reading routines, to-be-read list management, library holds, physical vs digital, abandoning books, and more! Finally, she shares her top 10 books (so far) in 2024! Detailed …
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July 1 is the New January 1? Your Virtual Midyear Retreat EP 205
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In today's episode, Sarah shares 10 questions to help you think through the rest of 2024! Sit back, grab a notebook and your favorite pens, and plan along with her -- or do a whole day of planning and dreaming at your own DIY retreat! Either way, this episode will get you inspired for your July 1st fresh start. BOBW Midyear Check In Ep: https://lau…
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In 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://ww…
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June Q + A: Working in Distracting Environments, Budget Planning, Mental Health and More EP 203
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In 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 illn…
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In today's episode, Sarah shares some ideas and inspiration for your summer -- some of it a little bit outside of the typical (summer cleaning, anyone?). Topics discussed: - Sharing the load of summer planning and fun-making - Summer checklists . . . not just for kids - Summer fun ideas for less than ideal weather - Summer habit / routine changes -…
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In today's episode, Sarah shares her recent marathon journey, from goal-setting (a looooong time ago!) to the tools and routines that supported her training to the race itself. Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Find your new uniform at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout! Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless …
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May Q&A: Margins, Travel, Laurel Denise Planners, and Avoiding That "Am I Missing Something?" Feeling EP 200
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In 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 a…
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Top 5 Things Episode (in honor of my birthday!) EP 199
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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 o…
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Using ClickUp to Organize it All with Jade Boyd EP 198
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In today's episode, Sarah shares some unexpected recent planning pivots, and then business and production coach Jade Boyd joins her to talk all things ClickUp -- in her opinion, one digital platform that can be used to organize it all. Jade also shares her love of paper as daily planning tool, the intimidation factor with digital organizing solutio…
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Do you ever have a project that seems to pop up on your annual goals list year after year, but never gets done? This episode is an exploration of how to tackle these projects and goals. Sarah gets personal, sharing her own Big Daunting Projects and some questions that might be worth asking about things that show up again and again (and again) on ye…
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Decor, Cozy Minimalism, and Creating a Functional Home with Myquillyn Smith EP 196
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Today's episode is a planning-adjacent topic! Sarah opens with a bit about her own decorating and organizing challenges and then interviews author Myquillyn Smith, an expert on decorating and creating functional spaces within the home. They chat about many planning-related aspects of big home projects, including how to get started when it all seems…
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Spring Planner Releases (Erin Condren, Simplified, and NOLTY) + Some Planner Switchups! EP 195
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In today's episode, Sarah provides a more in-depth review of two NOLTY April-start monthly planners, and then provides updates on the latest releases from Erin Condren (some excited changes to their Daily Duo!) and Simplified (so pretty). She then shares her own planner switchup for Spring! Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Find perfect transitional s…
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Planner Peace: Remarkable2 + Digital/Paper Hybrid System with Erin Peth EP 194
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Today's episode features a planner peace submission that was so intriguing that it warranted an entire episode! Our listener Erin has a lot on her plate (full time job, 2 kids, volunteer work, caring for relatives, and more!) -- and she has put together and incredibly comprehensive system that brings her to a current state of Planner Peace! Rather …
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April Q&A + Listener Tips: A Tool for ADHD/Time-Blindness, Repurposing Unused Planners, 5-Year Journals, Life Planning Workbooks, and More EP 193
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Welcome to April's Q&A/Tips episode! Sarah shares a brief recap of her family vacation (and getting back into life!) and then brings April's Q&A + Tips. Topics: 1) Quarters in the Southern Hemisphere - an Australian listener reports back! 2) Cool idea for repurposing an unused planner into a paper Second Brain/Collections Notebook/Master Planner 3)…
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Happy new quarter or quintile!! Today's episode is travel-inspired because Sarah will be returning from a family trip just before it airs. In today's episode, she shares her current travel planning strategies as a parent of kids who are now at ages that are pretty easy to travel with (6, 10, and about-to-be 12!). She covers her use of Apple Notes a…
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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 layouts 2) Biz Mom Planner by Tiffani - she…
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Today'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, compo…
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Planning Your Spring: Quintile 2 Planning Deep Dive EP 189
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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 your Quintile…
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March Q&A: Planning in Career Transitions, Morning Planning, and Organizing Tasks Around a Big Move or Other Life Shift EP 188
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Welcome 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 sess…
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Planner Friend Double Interview with Amanda's Favorites! EP 187
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Today is a departure from the typical BLP format - in today's special edition episode, Sarah joins Amanda of Amanda's Favorites both via audio and on YouTube (view the video version on Amanda's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEd0U-Hl3ZI ). The two hosts interview each other about a wide array of topics, from daily life to designing t…
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Today'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, …
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We 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 Menti…
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February Q&A: Checklists, Business, Inbox Zero, Email Management + More EP 184
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It'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) projects 2) Thoughts on Atul Gawande's The Checklist Manifesto 3) "Can you talk about busyness?" 4) 100 Dream List - what is it, and where to keep? 5) Planning-adjacent ideas for m…
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Finding Digital Planner Peace with Kaelyn Lopez EP 183
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Sarah loves paper planners but there are so many people out there planning effectively with digital tools - and it was time to interview one of them! In this episode, Sarah interviews her friend Kaelyn Lopez (Kae, an RN working in transplant coordination and mother of 2 who blogs at gratefulkae.com ) for this episode because Kae has gradually shift…
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January Update + Deep Dive into Nested Goal Setting EP 182
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In today's episode, Sarah shares how her year is shaping up so far, including a report on her planner choices for the year. Then, the episode is devoted to a deep dive into Nested Goal Setting - her method for setting goals and identifying tasks based on time horizon from daily to yearly. She reviews her methodology in detail and answers common que…
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January Q&A: Task Management, Project Management for Home Tasks, Negative Goals, and Building a Seasonal Reference Planner EP 181
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In 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-parent The Eisenhower Matrix (James Clear's take): https://jamescle…
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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 Plan…
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This 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…
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In 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.com Voice questions: https://www.speak…
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In 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 S…
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December Q&A: Thought Capture Overload, Weekly/Monthly Planning, Work + Post-Baby Goal-setting, and Hobonichi Setup! EP 176
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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 Overload 2) End-of-residency Planning - Lack of Motivation to Set Work Goals 3) Organization of weekly / monthly / quintile goals lists 4) Post-baby plannin…
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In today's episode, Sarah shares how she used her 2023 planners and then unveils her 2023 planner stack!! Products Mentioned: Hobonichi Cousin Avec Hobonichi A6 Original Cloth & Paper Disc-Bound Half-Letter Hobonichi 5 Year Journal Ashley Shelly Monthly (Amanda's Favorites Collab) BLP NEWS: - Planning By Season (seasonal planning sessions) and Digi…
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Digital Detox Lessons, Yearly Themes, Seasonal Planning + More EP 174
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In 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/new…
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Meal Planning + More with Meghan Splawn from Didn't I Just Feed You EP 173
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Today'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 Shop Find more from Meghan and listen to Didn't I Just Feed…
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November Q&A! Health/fitness goals, Starting a Planning Habit, Goal-setting Planners, and Planning the Holidays EP 172
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Sarah 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 quintile 3- Goal-setting pl…
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