Best Laid Plans

This episode opens with a discussion of fall launch updates from a few of Sarah's favorite brands, as well as a brief recap of what she is using now. Then, she answers listener questions on illness tracking, combining different areas of life into one book, and finally organizing weekly task lists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today'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 of things she wants to do differently with her own planning in 2025, followed by a listener question asking for an example of how "Plan a Neighborhood Party" would make its way through the Nested Goals system. Info on BLP at Home Planning 2025: theshubox.com/courses Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is all about Q5 - the last two months of the year! Sarah shares her thoughts on why this time period feels "special", the inherent fun parts and challenges, and her approach to goal setting in this celebratory season. Info on BLP at Home: Planning 2025 is at theshubox.com/courses Episode Sponsors:  Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweaters . Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Sarah reviews 3 new planner offerings you might be considering of 2025! Products reviewed/discussed: Full Focus Wellness Planner, a new version of the classic Full Focus Planner https://fullfocusstore.com/pages/wellness-planner/ Ashley Shelly's Sewn Undated Daily, a compact versatile daily layout https://ashleyshelly.com/product/daily-notebook-planner-undated/ Organize 365's intriguing rainbow planning products - tear-off pad + spiral bound https://member.organize365.com/product-category/planning Note: Full Focus and Ashley Shelly products were purchased; Organize 365's planners were sent as a gift with no obligation to review Sarah also answers a Q&A from a listener: at what stage do you bring your partner into your annual planning process? Final reminder: Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2025 has early pricing ($30 less) until November 1st, so this is the last reminder on the podcast. Space is limited. Visit theshubox.com/courses for details! Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Calendar: https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS - use BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off Note: Sarah is an affiliate and earns a small commission from each Essential Calendar sale with her code Personalized Filofax inserts: https://us.filofax.com/pages/personalization-station Vertical AND Horizontal Weekly Planner Mentioned: Twines and Paper Weekbook: https://twinesandpaper.com/en-us/products/preorder-weekbook-hybrid-2025-softcover-book-bound-tomoe-river-paper Q&A: - Handling non-urgent tasks that keep getting kicked down the curb - Planning household tasks ChatGPT Segment: Podcast ep mentioned: https://jadeboyd.co/how-i-organize-it-all-in-one-place-with-clickup/ (Jade's interview of Sarah is not up yet, but her podcast is The Business Edit) Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2025 is open for registration, with discounted rates until 11/1! Plan your year with structure and fun -- visit http://theshubox.com/courses for details. Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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) 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. Find much more from Sarah at http://harrytimes.com! Additional note: Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2025 is open for registration, with discounted rates until 11/1! Plan your year with structure and fun -- visit http://theshubox.com/courses for details. Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne:Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS. Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 your phone (into their special lockbox or otherwise) - Lots of inspiration if you are starting to think about (yes already) setting up your 2025 planner! Sarah shares top 10 uses/views she has returned to over and over again in her systems. (Prior ep mentioned: https://theshubox.com/2024/03/blp-episode-190-the-ideal-week.html) Sponsors: Jenni Kayne:Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS. Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 level and reveals her own very practical monthly rituals. Jenni Kayne:Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. IXL:  Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership at IXL.com/PLANS.  Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 annual planning experience, BLP at Home: Planning 2025 will open for registration in October) - Recs for a family calendar system (note - if you love using a digital calendar display system, let me know!) What we use: EC Whiteboard: https://www.erincondren.com/wall-organization-center Essential Calendar (affiliate link): https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS - Planning super long term things (like for 1-2 years down the road) - Studying for a big test - how to create deadlines? Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: The Q&A series is sponsored by Jenni Kayne! Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/classplans for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass! Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 goals, compassionate planning, planning challenges women face, planning along with hormonal swings, and so much more. Preorder The Plan wherever books are sold, and you will receive a free Pep Talk series from Kendra (either written or audio) every single Monday until the end of 2024. Find preorder bonus details and more about the book here: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/theplan Episode Sponsors: Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/plansclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass! Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/family-plan-calendar Laurel Denise: Hemlock & Oak: Part 2: Planner News! Sarah discusses some new trends in planning, including planner minimalism - as evidenced by Rochelle In Theory's recent "Hobonichi Anti-Haul" video Other planner news: Wild Strides Paper Co: Planner/Training Log combos for runners, by pro runner Grayson Murphy - https://wildstridespaper.com Full Focus Wellness Planner: https://fullfocusstore.com/pages/wellness-planner/ In Part 3, Sarah provides planning-adjacent tips for buoying yourself during tough or uncertain times (perhaps a pep talk to herself!) Episode Sponsors: Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/plansclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass! Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 to set boundaries - Consuming media that is served to you via algorithms - Setting intentions for the day - Regularly re-evaluating routines and habits - Thinking through how you wish to spend precious resources - Giving yourself time and space to think through your big goals! Episode Sponsors: Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/plansclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass! Jenni Kayne: Gorgeous apparel and home pieces. Visit jennikayne.com; listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout. Amazfit: Find awesome health tracking watches and more at www.amazfit.com/PLANS (coupon code will provide 15% off!) or look for Amazfit at your favorite major retailer. PrepDish: Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 organizing to school-aged kids - mindfulness! How do you stay present in the moment if you're always planning the next thing? Request - if you enjoy the show, consider subscribing + setting your podcast player to automatically download! Episode sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout. Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts. 4- Hobonichi Release! Their preview is at https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/magazine/2025/y25/ 5- Hemlock & Oak Paper Covers! My link: https://www.hemlockandoak.com/pages/_go_?ref=8195:338926&discount=BLP - use discount code BLP 6- Halo Planner is out! https://www.thehaloplanner.com/shopify-products/the-halo-planner-q4-2024?_kx=pEbNyEVSsMRzyt72zDDz91CczlNZdlBltKjzzraQMoUL1fg2AWRFo5wbuF5ol2IB.Vgsz5G Note - currently it shows the price in $HK not USD, I will ask if they plan to have it show USD as well! 7- Just Scribble Planners - https://www.shopjustscribble.com Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout. Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 your plan, and how do you avoid being reactive when tasks are coming at you throughout the day? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 with her work on Four Thousand Mondays and her recent book, You Only Die Once. Sarah and Jodi discuss memento mori, the darker side of habits and routines, and so much more. You can find Jodi's work at fourthousandmondays.com and her book, You Only Die Once, at all major book retailers. Other works referenced: Oliver Burkeman, author of 4000 Weeks TIm Urban's The Tail End: https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/12/the-tail-end.html Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout. Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 will be available first to newsletter subscribers on August 1! Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter Episode Sponsors: Prose Beauty: Truly customized skin and haircare. Go to prose.com/plans for 50% off your first subscription order. Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout. Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Planners Mentioned: Go Girl Planner Pro: https://gogirlplanner.com/collections/pro-planners Laurel Denise Academic Year Vertical Weekly Planner: https://laureldenise.com/collections/2024-2025-planners Hobonichi Weeks: https://www.jetpens.com/search?q=hobonichi+weeks&v=2 Sponsors: Prose Beauty: Truly customized skin and haircare. Go to prose.com/plans for 50% off your first subscription order. Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout. Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/collections/free-printables/products/goals-for-teens-free-printable Where to find MakseLife: makselife.com Sierra on IG: @plannerfriend Episode Sponsors: Prose Beauty: Truly customized skin- and haircare. Use code prose.com/plans for 50% off your first subscription order. Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout. Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 show notes including book lists can be found at theshubox.com Podcast episode mentioned on evening routine, Episode Sponsors Jenni Kayne: Find your summer aesthetic at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout! Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless laundry detergent! Listeners can receive 40% off Earth Breeze by visiting earthbreeze.com/plans Mint Mobile: To get their new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15/month for the first 3 months, go to mintmobile.com/plans PrepDish: Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks of meal plans, FREE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices