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Cal Newport is a computer science professor and writer about topics from technology to productivity to work culture, and he is also now the author of his newly released Time Block Planner!  Cal chats with Sarah -- a long time fan -- about his productivity systems, digital/paper hybrid planning, planning weekends and personal time, and of course his new paper planner.  Delve into the planner at timeblockplanner.com and find more of Cal's work at calnewport.com.   As always, show notes available at theshubox.com/best-laid-plans-podcast

Episode 2 focused on the components of current weekly review process; this episode does the same for the monthly review. The Components: 1) Review Prior Month’s Goals and any Lists - celebrate successes & decide what to do with incomplete tasks 2) Budget reconciliation (we use You Need a Budget) 3) Review any upcoming big events with partner (if applicable) 4) Set Action/Task goals for the month -- I separate into realms of Work, Self, Family, and Blog/Pod.  Create page showing these clearly if you use a physical planner. 5) Identify any habits to focus on for the month - create trackers of some kind, if applicable 6) Look ahead 60 days and identify any childcare needs (less relevant in time of pandemic for us, but leaving it on here hoping that someday relevant again!) 7) Review Library Holds list and make sure some great titles will be on their way!  

Still in planner selection mode for 2021?  The Wonderland 222 Planner and Notebook is worth a look, even if you think you've already figured out your perfect system!   As a die hard Hobonichi fan I did not think there'd be any question as to what I'll be using next year but . . . this one truly gives me pause, and this episode includes a full review with all of the details.     As always, notes with images can be found at theshubox.com/best-laid-plans-podcast.  Please note: I did receive this planner for review from the company but otherwise have no affiliate relationship and do not earn from listener purchases.

We're deep into planner-buying season, so today's ep is a double review feature!  The first product is the compact, versatile and lovely MyWeek -- created and manufactured in Canada by designer Cyrstal Reynolds.  MyWeek is a weekly planner with a lot of versatility and flexibility -- my favorite part is the organized to-do list section!  Cultivate What Matters is a very popular brand of planners focusing on goal-setting and intentionality.  The PowerSheets Goal Planner features gorgeous design, bright colors, and would be a lovely accompaniment for your weekly and monthly review sessions -- I picture it alongside a big pack of multicolored pens and a fall-scented candle.   As always, you can find pictures & more info the show notes at http://theshubox.com/best-laid-plans-podcast!  Please continue to spread the word and leave reviews - thanks to all!

It's another Q&A episode!  Today, Sarah addresses questions on planning through hectic work days when a lot of unpredictable tasks come up.  She also answers questions about planning uncertainty in this era of the pandemic, whether to keep or toss old planners, and where she keeps her planner sidekick.  She follows up with some brief planners news on new releases.

Today's episode features a brief update on screen time goals and the planning methods supporting habit change.  Then comes our deep dive into the guest segment with Imani Michelle, an attorney in NYC with a passion for planning!  Imani plans primarily in ring bound systems, and she gets into the beauty and flexibility that comes with using inserts.  Her favorite brands include Cloth & Paper, Luxplans, and 8Lotus -- and she shares her very favorite products from each of these companies.  We also get into handwriting (because hers is GORGEOUS) and pens, because of course.  Finally, we discuss how self-care and planning intersect.  Find more of Imani's work at her blog (theimanimichelle.com) or her instagram, @theimanimichelle!

In this review episode, Sarah starts with some listener-submitted tips, and then dives deep into the Amplify Planner and a custom Papier dot grid journal. In the Q&A, a listener writes in about whether having one or many planning tools is better (spoiler answer: it depends!).  As always, find more detailed show notes with pictures at theshubox.com!

Today's deep dive concept episode is all about tracking habits.  Sarah goes into various ways people track habits in their planning systems, as well as what has worked best for her which is a simple practice of daily habit tracking.  She shares her own foundation habits, and then provides a deeper exploration of the one she is currently working on -- screen & social media time.  Finally, there is a brief discussion of two new planners on the scene - the Amplify quarterly planner and a new rising star, Wonderland 222.

It's another BLP Q&A Epsiode!  In this episode, Sarah answers questions about her accessory notebook, workout and meal planning, keeping track of big projects, and how to capture small details that link to calendar events.  Then comes a surprise cameo from a young Hobonichi fan . . .      

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!

Tatiana is an inspiring young entrepreneur with amazing design sense and a giving, open spirit.  She has a shop called The Stationery Muse that features beautiful stickers, planning products, and now she is launching her own planner product for entrepreneurs!   She shares how she grew her business, what it is like to design a planner, and shares her own planning favorites.  

Welcome to the first official product review episode!  Today Sarah will be reviewing 2 very different products - the large and comprehensive ring-bound Live Rich Planner and the compact Japanese Jibun Techo Biz (B6).  Find out if either of these deserves consideration for your 2021 system!  As always, look for show notes with pictures on theshubox.com -- just click on the "Best Laid Plans" button and scroll down to the full show notes posts!

This episode was inspired by a listener who wanted to hear about ideas for getting started with planning from scratch.  While it is hard to be prescriptive about what any one person should use, there are definitely a number of fundamental things to think through as you create your planning and productivity toolkit:  calendaring, task and goals management, routines, and finally the aethestics of it all!  While there is no one-size-fits-all system, this episode provides you with the framework you need to decide how to get started.

In 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.  Then, there's a deeper dive into capturing those to do items that come up at inopportune times, like when you are brushing your teeth!  You can submit future questions any time via Sarah's blog (theshubox.com) or through Instagram (@shubox_plans)!

You can find Beth at her blog parentlightly.com. Show music courtesy of Rushmore Beekeepers with additional production by Greene Means Go

To give you an idea of my typical planning toolbox, today's episode features a planner 'walk through' of the Hobonichi Techo Cousin planner system and the accessories I love to use with it it. Discussions include using calendar pages for tracking, time blocking, and daily planning. There's also a mention of a few of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) digital tools. At the time of this episode's recording I was experimenting with a bullet journal. I enjoy that approach so more on that in the future.

This episode takes a deep dive into one of Sarah's favorite planning techniques: the Weekly Review.  There are so many great ways to do a weekly review process, and one size definitely does not fit all!  Listen to discover the many elements you can mix and match to create a perfect jumping off point for each new week.  

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!