Allison Schaaf, the creator of PrepDish, shares valuable insights on balancing a thriving meal planning business with life as a mother of four. She discusses effective meal planning strategies that minimize daily chaos, and how tools like the Clever Fox planner and Instacart enhance productivity. The conversation also explores unique goal-setting techniques, the influence of impactful books, and budget-friendly grocery shopping tips. With practical advice, she shows how structured planning can simplify both daily tasks and long-term goals.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Blended Planner and Calendar System
Use a paper planner for weekly and monthly overviews to get a big picture on goals and tasks.
Complement the planner with a Google calendar for time-specific events, especially when coordinating with others.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Prioritize Personal Time Before Work
Delay starting your work day to prioritize personal tasks and wellbeing like exercise and meditation.
Treat email as a lower priority task to avoid constant distraction and increase productivity.
insights INSIGHT
Integrate Family and Business Goals
Yearly goal setting combined with longer-term vision helps align both family and business goals.
Translating goals to digital tools like Google Sheets and Trello enhances accountability and review.
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Die with Zero presents a provocative philosophy and practical guide on how to get the most out of your money and your life. Bill Perkins argues against over-saving and under-living, advocating for investing in experiences early and maximizing positive life experiences. The book introduces concepts like 'time-bucketing,' 'net worth curve,' and 'fulfillment curve' to help readers optimize their life stages and make the most of their resources. Drawing from his own life experiences and insights from psychological science and behavioral finance, Perkins makes a compelling case for living large and accumulating memorable experiences rather than wealth.
Traction
Get a Grip on Your Business
Gino Wickman
In Traction, Gino Wickman provides a systematic approach to achieving business success through the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). The book focuses on six key components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction. It helps business leaders clarify their vision, align their leadership team, solve common business problems, and foster healthy communication and discipline within the organization. The EOS system is designed to help businesses overcome frustrations such as lack of control, people issues, insufficient profit, hitting the ceiling, and feeling stuck. The book offers practical tools, real-world examples, and actionable strategies to drive sustainable growth and improve business operations.
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.com/plans (two weeks free - and now with Instacart shopping links!)
Episode Sponsors:
PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE
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IXL: Tailored and effective online learning (my kids have used this for years as part of their school curriculum)! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at IXL.com/PLANS.
Green Chef: The best meal kit for eating well. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree to get started with FREE salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box.
Best Laid Plans 
