

Best Laid Plans
Sarah Hart-Unger
Welcome to Best Laid Plans -- a podcast all about planning and the planning tools we love. From planning techniques and organizing philosophies to planners and notebooks, we cover it all. Host Sarah Hart-Unger is a mother of 3, physician, podcasting pro, and a lover of lists and all things paper! Listen in weekly for conversations about planning and productivity as well as product reviews and interviews with planning experts!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 7, 2023 • 29min
August Q&A: Planning in Challenging Life Phases, Planner Rec for 2 Teen Boys, Big Weekly Planners, Dangling Task Management, Planner-Shy, and More! EP 158
In this Q&A episode, Sarah provides her take on listener questions:Q1: Planning during challenging life phasesQ2: Back to school planner recs for a pair of teen brothersQ3: Planner matchmaking for a WFH mother seeking a BIG planner to manage both work, home tasks + homeschoolingQ4: Dangling tasksQ5: Planner recs for a listener who loves BUT is embarrassed by her planner!She also features several listener tips + follow ups from past episodes!Episode Sponsors:PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.Vivaia: Comfortable, beautiful, and sustainable shoes! Go to vivaia.com to get 15% off your purchase with the code PLANSCONTACT INFO:Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.comVoice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplansSend me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/coursesSign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletterLeave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 snips
Jul 31, 2023 • 41min
Organize 365 x Best Laid Plans: Lisa Woodruff Interviews Sarah for the Back to School Blitz EP 157
Today's episode is a little bit of a departure from the regular format - Sarah shares an interview Lisa Woodruff did with her for the Organize 365 Back to School Blitz! She discusses some of her favorite basic tips for planning (quintiles, retreats, routines + more) and they delve into some planning basics for the back to school season - coming sooner than we think :)You can find Lisa (and sign up for her free Back to School Blitz!) at organize365.com.Episode Sponsors:VIVAIA: Comfortable, stylish, and sustainable footwear in styles that wlll take you everywhere! Go to vivaia.com to get 15% off your purchase with the code PLANSGreen Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.CONTACT + Info:Voice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplansSend me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/coursesSign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletterLeave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 24, 2023 • 25min
Daily Rituals + 3 Mini-Reviews: Passion Planner, Rad & Happy, and Performance Lab's Focus Planner EP 156
In part 1 of today's episode, Sarah presents 3 mini-reviews -- clearing out her to-be-reviewed stash!1) Rad & Happy undated weekly planner2) Passion Planner academic weekly + erasable pens3) Performance Lab's Focus Planner (Australia)Visit the show notes on theshubox.com if you are interested in winning one of these planners - just leave a comment in the show notes!In part 2, Sarah discusses daily rituals and how they help establish self-efficacy. She then inventories her own list of current daily tasks + rituals. Things to consider:- What do you currently do daily? What is on autopilot, and what is purposeful?- Anything to add / take out? When do you audit your own daily habits + rituals?- How do you handle it when you miss a day?EPISODE SPONSOR:Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!CONTACT INFO:Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.comVoice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplansSend me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/coursesSign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletterLeave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 17, 2023 • 19min
Decluttering, Organizing, and Stuff: Past, Present, and Future EP 155
In today's episode, Sarah discusses the planning-adjacent topic of organizing and curating our spaces and stuff. She shares her history with organizing (being organized + clearing clutter has not always been a personal strength!) and prior influences, from Marie Kondo to Lisa Woodruff. Finally, she discusses her current challenges and plans to gradually work on further organizing and decluttering her home and spaces.Episode Sponsors:Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!Contact Info:Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.comVoice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplansSend me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/coursesSign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletterLeave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 10, 2023 • 22min
July Q&A: Getting Started with Longer-Team Goal Setting, Paper 101, Planner for a Nontraditional Student, Erasable Pens & More EP 154
In this Q&A, Sarah answers questions about:1) Becoming more comfortable with setting longer term (monthly, seasonal, yearly) goalsInterested in setting your 2024 yearly goals with Sarah in FL? Visit: https://theshubox.com/courses2) Paper sizes, weights, and pen types! (Paper Planner 101!)Reference: https://goldspot.com/blogs/magazine/notebook-sizes-compared-and-explained3) Planner matchmaking: "I am about to start medical school in July. I am a non traditional student so I will have a per diem job, family, pets, and other life obligations going on. I am looking for a planner recommendation that can fit all aspects of life!"4) Erasable pen tip: Legami (and Passion Planner)Legami on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/legami_milano_erasable_pen5) Time OFF between jobs - thoughts on what to do!-------------------------------------Episode Sponsors:Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 snips
Jul 3, 2023 • 33min
Real-Life Planner Interview: Stacy Mellem and her Franklin-Covey Journey EP 153
In today's episode, Sarah interviews Stacy Mellem, a devoted Franklin-Covey user for over 30 years! Stacy shares how she's made the system work for her over the years, and why she believes planning is still important in retirement (or what she refers to as her "jubilacion" (the Spanish word for retirement, which really does sound better!).Franklin-Covey Planners: https://store.franklinplanner.com (this podcast is not affiliated, just including as reference!)Episode Sponsors:Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 26, 2023 • 24min
Summer Adventures in Disc-Bound Planning - Inkwell Press EP:152
Sarah discusses her prior hesitancy around planners with rings and discs, and then delves into her current unexpected love for the Inkwell Press Disc Bound Planner with 2023-24 inserts, as well as the advantages that come with a planner where everything is movable!Products mentioned:Cover - hard cardboard or vegan leatherWeekly inserts (vertical or horizontal layouts) - 140 lb paper, bright white, colorful but professional/muted color paletteDaily insertsBlank insertsPoly monthly dividersDiscs (metal)Referral code: http://r.sloyalty.com/r/wAyhU90GQyUr --> this should provide $10 off any order of $50 or more; referrer will receive a small credit with each order.Episode Sponsors:PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 snips
Jun 19, 2023 • 23min
Summer Goals Revisited, Review of Mark's Monthly, and Photo Management Follow Up EP 151
In today's episode, Sarah revisits her own summer planning and discusses how she shifted her goals to reflect current priorities and time pressure. She reminds listeners that sometimes planning can mean downshifting in one area to focus on another, and that while we can do a lot - we cannot focus on every area at once.Then, a mini-review of the Mark's Log Diary from JetPens. This book is super cute and has some unique features, but those with large handwriting may want to avoid!JetPens Chat GPT video mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mO35uSMkFAFinally, 3 listeners share tips on organizing photos + digital memories, from daily pruning to Chatbooks to Miss Freddy.Episode Sponsors:King Jim: The most amazing modern label maker, the TEPRA Lite! You can order directly from their site at kingjim.us and shipping is free over $75, or you can check out their store on Amazon.Jenni Kayne: Classic, cool, and comfortable - truly luxurious pieces that last! Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 12, 2023 • 24min
2023: Life + Planning Updates (Where It Started / How It's Going) EP 150
Life update episode! Sarah shares what is going well this year, and things that have been more challenging -- plus an update on which of her 2023 planners are still in use at the almost-6-month mark!Episode Sponsors:Earth Breeze: Liquidless earth-friendly detergent sheets! Right now, listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/plans to get startedJenni Kayne: Classic, cool, and comfortable - truly luxurious pieces that last! Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout!PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal planning! I LOVE not having to create a menu every week, and the prep instructions make getting dinner on the table each night easy. We use PrepDish almost every week (the Super Fast menu)! Visit PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.Contact Info:Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.comVoice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplansSend me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpaSign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletterLeave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 5, 2023 • 22min
Q&A: Keeping Track of Health-Details, Photo & Memory Organization, Planners for Kids, and Planning on the Fly EP 149
It's a June Q&A episode!Questions:1- Small portable planner to track migraine-related details?2- Ways to deal with photos + memory keeping (esp with a newborn)?3- Planner/collection system to deal with family's increasingly complex medical needs? (Mentioned: https://www.jetpens.com/Lihit-Lab-Bloomin-Pocket-Folder-A4-8-Pockets-Pure-Blue/pd/33404; Organize 365 Warrior Mama Binder)4- Recs for kids' planners for school (if the school doesn't hand one out)5- Dealing with planning paradox of a blank mind when trying to plan but a million details to capture while on the go6- Recommendation for great PAPER to print out pdf discbound planner sheets? (Requesting listener input!!)Resources:Courses: theshubox.com/courses for info on Digital Detox + Best Laid Plans LIveEpisode Sponsors:Earth Breeze: Liquidless earth-friendly detergent sheets! Right now, listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/plans to get started//Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for eating well. Go to GreenChef.com/plans60 and use code plans60 to get 60% off plus free shipping//Jenni Kayne: Classic, cool, and comfortable - truly luxurious pieces that last! Find your forever pieces at jennikayne.com. Listeners get 15% off your first order when you use code PLANS at checkout!//Contact Info:Email: sarah.hart.unger@gmail.comVoice questions: https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplansSend me a text or voice memo - (305) 697-7189Do something IRL and learn about Best Laid Plans LIVE in South Florida: https://theshubox.com/blpaSign up for my newsletter: https://theshubox.com/newsletterLeave me a review if you can (Apple Podcasts Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-laid-plans/id1525311647) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


