Best Laid Plans

Discover how to escape the overwhelm with airtight task capture and monthly planning strategies! Learn about a creative hybrid planning system from a listener in New Zealand, blending digital tools with a paper planner. Plus, find solutions for handling incoming papers and shipping issues for planners in Australia and New Zealand. Dive into personalized planner suggestions and visualize your summer effectively. Tune in for tips on adapting to changing responsibilities while keeping your planning productive!

Sarah opens up about feeling overwhelmed and the journey to regain control. She shares effective strategies for proactive planning and managing time, including email management and structured downtime. The importance of self-compassion and adjusting priorities is emphasized. Listeners learn about useful educational tools for kids and the uplifting impact of gratitude amidst personal challenges. Community engagement is encouraged with an upcoming live event, inviting participation in new projects!

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.

The host dives into the ever-evolving nature of personal routines, emphasizing flexibility and the need for continual reassessment. Morning habits take a humorous turn as the host shares her revamped routine, integrating self-care practices. Transitioning to weekends, the discussion reveals how planning them meticulously can boost satisfaction and balance. Tips range from scheduling relaxation and setting specific work goals to ensuring fun activities are included. It's all about transforming weekends into meaningful downtime while juggling responsibilities!

Spring brings exciting new planner releases from popular brands like Erin Condren and Simplified, each offering unique designs. As summer approaches, there’s a strong emphasis on pre-planning to create a fulfilling experience, especially for parents. Listeners can expect practical tips for maintaining healthy habits, planning activities, and adjusting routines to ensure a relaxed atmosphere. With insights on tailoring summer wardrobes and scheduling, this episode is all about fostering a joyful summer amid the busy season!

Navigating the tricky terrain between planning and execution can be a struggle. Insights into burnout and mental overload reveal how they stifle productivity, while practical strategies help tackle intimidation in task management. Personal stories illustrate the psychological barriers that make action challenging, and solutions emphasize breaking down projects into achievable steps. Reflection and accountability are highlighted as key to overcoming obstacles and ensuring plans become reality.

Planning is about more than just getting things done. It can significantly reduce stress and enhance creativity. Dive into the unexpected joys of planning, like fostering self-discovery and personal growth. Reflective planning sessions can lead to deeper self-awareness and even inspire career shifts. Embrace a more intentional approach that not only organizes your tasks but also enriches your relationships and overall well-being. Discover all the fun benefits that effective planning can bring to your life!

A journey of personal recovery takes center stage, emphasizing the value of supportive routines and community. The conversation dives into reflections on goal-setting and gentle planning practices. Exciting new planners for 2025 get a mini-review, showcasing tools for enhanced organization. Finally, they tackle the stress of overwhelming reading materials, offering tips to streamline browser tabs and embrace guilt-free consumption. It's a blend of self-care, planning, and practical solutions!

Discover the joy of spring planning with strategies to alleviate stress through daily organization. Explore meal planning tools like PrepDish and engaging educational resources such as IXL. Dive into the unique challenges of the second quintile of the academic year, especially for those in the Southern Hemisphere. The discussion also covers significant events like graduations and practical steps for spring cleaning. Get ready to balance fun and responsibilities while setting actionable goals for the lively season ahead!

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 free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREEMint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLPIXL: 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices