In 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 B...
Jun 30, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 257
It'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! Email sarah.hart...
Jun 23, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 256
Today's episode centers around strategies for travel planning, from super-long range (5-10+ years) to daily planning while on vacation! Sarah shares her favorite strategies at each time horizon to craft travel plans that reflect your values and highest priorities, while meeting your actual real-life needs (budget, kids' ages, etc!). Mentioned:Kelsey's "The Years Are Short" sheet:https://www.risingshining.com/2022/10/the-years-are-short-family-spreadsheet.html Cameras (idea from Sarah Jedd, prior...
Jun 16, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 255
Lizzie Post is the great-great-grandaughter of famed etiquette expert Emily Post and serves as co-president at the Emily Post Institute along with her cousin Daniel Post Senning. In today's episode Sarah interviews her on all things planning AND etiquette adjacent! First, Sarah inquires about Lizzie's current favorite planning tools and rituals, and then she asks questions that get at some of the stickier parts of planning: how to manage making plans in a group, how to handle planner fatigue, ho...
Jun 09, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 254
In today's episode, Sarah welcomes listeners into summer (and southern hemisphere listeners into winter!). Then, she shares 10 less common (possibly quirky!) planning habits that work for her, from her tracking methods to her use of "defaults" and strategic use of break times, and more. She also shares a listener follow up to the new mom wondering how to deal with tasks that come to mind when she isn't with her planner! EPISODE SPONSORS IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. ...
Jun 02, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 253
Today's episode is dedicated to monthly planning rhythms! Sarah discusses why the monthly planning level can be a challenging one, but then provides reasons to try giving it some attention! Elements Discussed: - Ways to add to the "fresh start" energy - screen backgrounds + monthly tracking- Monthly work plan (new element for Sarah!)- Monthly goal setting (middle piece of the Nested Goals method - great way to break up big seasonal projects), including a look back / forward / within, and a calen...
May 26, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 252
In 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 whe...
May 19, 2025•24 min•Season 4Ep. 251
In today's episode, Sarah share the strategies that got her feeling much less "in the weeds", including airtight task capture and inbox cleaning, plus monthly work planning! Then, she shares a Planner Peace segment from Ross in NZ, who uses mostly digital tools plus a paper daily and has an incredibly well-thought-out and organized overall ecosystem! Topics for the Q&A: - Finding planners with affordable shipping to AUS and NZ- Handling incoming papers without letting them overcrowd your des...
May 12, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 250
In 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 Sponsor...
May 05, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 249
Allison Schaaf is the creator and owner of PrepDish (longtime BLP sponsor!) and her business is based on planning, specifically around meals! But she also has plenty of wisdom to share around planning the rest of life, from long term goals to handling emails and managing a team. She is also highly interested in streamlining tasks as she is a mother of 4 (including a baby!). Shared by Allison: - Clever Fox planner - Superhuman email - Traction - Die with Zero PrepDish trial mentioned: prepdish.co...
Apr 28, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 248
In today's episode, Sarah reflects on routines, noting that her recent episode on morning routines is already obsolete (as it applies to her own morning routine, anyway!). She shares thoughts about being flexible as you set your routines, and the need to continually re-evaluate, as well as her new morning routine. Then, she pivots to all things weekend planning, as inspired by her friend noting that weekends were feeling . . . unsatisfying at times (Kae blogs at gratefulkae.com). Sarah shares he...
Apr 21, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 247
In today's episode, Sarah reflects on where we are in the year and offers encouragement and ideas to help you start thinking through summer. She also provides an overview of some fun planner releases for spring, including new editions from Erin Condren, Simplified, and Laurel Denise. Episode of Amanda's Favorites where she describes designing a planner with Laurel Denise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZnWjf0qdWM Episode Sponsors: PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to...
Apr 14, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 246
Sometimes there is vast space (and struggle) between planning and executing on our plans. In this episode, Sarah delves into why that might be an offers some solutions. She also mentions Lisa Woodruff's Medical Binder and Carolyn Cohen's Wellness While Walking podcast. Episode where Carolyn was a guest: https://theshubox.com/2025/01/blp-ep-232-planning-and-goal-setting-for-health-with-carolyn-cohen.html Episode Sponsors: PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your...
Apr 07, 2025•24 min•Season 4Ep. 245
Some might think the purpose of planning is to get more done. That may be true in some cases, but there is so much more to the story than that. In this episode, Sarah shares 10 benefits of planning that have nothing to do from productivity, from stress reduction to anticipation to creativity to having more fun. Other news: BLP Live is open for registration!! Join Sarah and Laura Vanderkam in South Florida this November for 3 days of planning, reflection, relaxation, community, and fun. Visit the...
Mar 31, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 244
In today's episode, Sarah shares an update on how her recovery is going in addition to some great wisdom on the idea of a "recovery routine" from a listener. Then, she shares a planner mini-review and new additions to her 2025 Stack: - Full Focus Spiral-Bound - Excello Essential Weekly + Monthly (https://excellobrands.com/calendar-year/essential-monthly-weekly-planner-7-x-9-cy-2025-frosted/ or via Amazon (search for ESSENTIAL 2025 Monthly & Weekly Planner with Tabs, 7"x9": 14 Months) Then, s...
Mar 24, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 243
Sarah 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 your Q...
Mar 17, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 242
A 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 f...
Mar 10, 2025•20 min•Season 4Ep. 241
Today, Sarah has a really fun and conversational chat with Azizi Williams and Malika Amandi, otherwise known as the Happier Ladies! These sister started a podcast inspired by the work of Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft, and share a love for planning, experiments, goal setting, and accountability (to each other, as well as their listeners). Azizi and Malika share their favorite tools, planning rituals, and more. Their podcast can be found here; https://happierladies.wixsite.com/mysite Episode ...
Mar 03, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 240
In today's episode, Sarah answers questions accumulated in the month of February! Topics include: - How do you deal with planning events for family members (ie camp, bday parties, etc!) - How do I integrate goals lists into my planning when I feel like I have endless detailed lists dedicated to complicated projects? (Nested Goals ep: https://theshubox.com/2024/01/episode-182-nested-goals-explained.html) - Advice for planning in pregnancy + the postpartum period? - How does Sarah use the calendar...
Feb 24, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 239
In today's episode, Sarah shares her top 10 (plus maybe a bonus!) Planning + Planning Adjacent Tools! For specific links, visit https://theshubox.com/organize! 1) Kokuyo Campus Notebooks 2) Uniball Jetstream Pens (0.5 and 0.38 size) 3) Zebra Mildliners in pastel colors - especially used to create little squares for checkboxes! 4) Apple's Screen Time App + Widget 5) Stalogy Short Sticky Notes (plus bonus mention: Midori Sticky Notes Monthly Block) 6) The Essential Calendar (Sarah is an affiliate,...
Feb 17, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 238
Today's episode is dedicated to all things morning routine! Sarah shares her own (in detail) and discusses all of the questions to ask yourself if you're looking to add a bit more to your mornings (or not!). And, she shares some exciting book news -- Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Live That You Love will be out in January 2026!! Episode Sponsors: Prose: Custom skin and haircare that works! For an exclusive trial offer of 50% off your first haircare subscription order, vis...
Feb 10, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 237
We all have to get dressed, right? This is just one more area rife for planning an organizing strategies, and stylist Gab Saper (aka The Wardrobe Editor) is here to deliver! She chats with Sarah about all things wardrobe curation and organization, and Sarah also gives a brief update on recent organizing wins in her closet! Ways to find and connect with Gab: Website: https://wardrobeeditor.com Insta: https://www.instagram.com/wardrobeeditor/ Free guide: https://wardrobeeditor.myflodesk.com/hotaga...
Feb 03, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 236
In today's monthly Q&A ep, Sarah shares a Planner Peace vignette, 2 stationery shop recs, and answers 4 listener questions: Planner Peace comes from a healthcare provider who has cut her documentation time in half after reflecting and listening to Sarah's Efficiency Tips ep. She uses Google products for almost everything, plus a daily paper planner (filled out fresh each day, referring to her digital lists!) for her schedule and tasks. Stationery shop recs: Both in Chicago: Atlas Stationers ...
Jan 27, 2025•22 min•Season 4Ep. 235
If you have any kind of organizing or decluttering goals on your 2025 goals list, today's episode is for you. Sarah interviews Tyler Moore (known as Tidy Dad), a teacher and author with a passion for organizing and curating spaces to meet the needs of life as they ebb and flow through the seasons - and his current season is 3 young kids in a small NYC apartment! This interview offers plenty of inspiration and great ideas from Tyler, including the idea of an annual decluttering calendar, thoughts...
Jan 20, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 234
In 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-...
Jan 13, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 233
Carolyn Cohen is a health coach passionate about helping others reach their wellness goals, and she chats with Sarah today about how planning and goal-setting intersect with health and wellness. She discusses the pros and cons of having a separate wellness planner, effective habit tracking, the benefits of data from wearables, and more. She also introduced the idea of a health planning retreat! Find more from Carolyn at wellnesswhilewalking.com, or check out the Wellness While Walking podcast in...
Jan 06, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 232
In today's episode, Sarah shares her goals for 2025 in 4 domains: personal, work, relationships, and household! If you love listening to others share their plans and dreams for the year, this episode is for you :) Topics include fitness and health goals, goals related to kids, work goals, organizing aspirations, and more. Thank you for listening this year, and wishing you a wonderful start to 2025! Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Check out their amazing gifts, from candles to their iconic sweater...
Dec 30, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 231
In today's episode, Sarah goes through her setup of her 2025 Goals/Lists planner, a Hobonichi Weeks she will use for tracking and various collections. Then, she answers additional questions sent in the past month. Topics discussed: - Request for planner shop recs around the world + recommendation of Good Postage in Charlotte, NC - Ways to track continuing education data + resources - Sarah recommends going digital for this using a tool like Apple Notes, OneNote, or Notion - Listener tip: a Taylo...
Dec 23, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 230
Shunta Grant is the creator of the Best Today Guide and associated communities, and is passionate about helping people find the best version of "today" that they can, and the intentional stewardship of time. She is also vocal and honest about her journey with social media, which is what especially Sarah to her work! In this conversation, Sarah chats with Shunta about what cultivating your "Best Today" means, overcoming challenges, as well as Shunta's social media experiments, challenges, and cur...
Dec 16, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 229
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/courses TOOLS MENTIONED * B...
Dec 09, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 228
