

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

May 9, 2022 • 28min
Planning for Stress Relief + Hemlock & Oak Review EP 93
In this episode, Sarah delves into a listener email sent about planning as stress relief. Then, she shares Peggy's Planner Peace submission, which combines use of the Monk Manual, google calendar, todoist, and Organize 365! Then, she goes into an in-depth review of the Hemlock & Oak Weekly Undated Planner.If Planner Peace is eluding you this year - it might be one to consider!Episode Sponsors:PrepDish: Easy and functional menu planning. Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE.Year & Day: Beautiful modern ceramics and flatware for hosting or just elevating your everyday table. Visit yearandday.com/plans and use code: PLANS to get $25 off your first order of $150 or more.Aura Frames: Gorgeous digital frames that are super easy to set up -- perfect for Mother's Day! Visit auraframes.com and use use code PLANS to get up to 40% off while supplies last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 2, 2022 • 31min
Planning Your Style & Wardrobe with Lani Inlander EP 92
Today's episode is a veer away from our usual planning topics - stylist Lani Inlander joins Sarah to answer some great listener questions received regarding planning your wardrobe + style! Lani discussed ways one might consider planning outfits for the week, a different way to think about identifying your style, ways to budget for a wardrobe upgrade, and tips and inspiration for closet decluttering to allow for a functional wardrobe.Lani's site: https://real-life-style.comLani's e-course: https://real-life-style.com/wear-your-power-ecourse/Episode Sponsors:Year & Day: Year & Day is giving Best Laid Plans listeners a special offer. Visit yearandday.com/plans and use code PLANS to get $25 off your first order of $150 or more.Aura Frames: Gorgeous digital high-res frames perfect for Mother's Day or any other family gifting occasion. From now until Mother’s Day, listeners can save on the perfect gift -- just visit auraframes.com and use code PLANS to get up to $40 off while supplies last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 25, 2022 • 18min
Q&A: Planning Household Division of Labor, A Gardener's Planner, Planning Kids' Reading, and Planning for Part-Time Work EP 91
In this episode, Sarah opens up with a new Planner Peace segment, and then shares several listener questions (and answers!).Q1 - Tips for planning to help share the mental load with one's partnerQ2 - Recommendations for a hobby planner, such as for gardeningQ3 - Ways to capture ideas from books you have readQ4 - Planning out reading with kids (or kids "to be read" lists!)Q5 - Planning for someone working part time (2x/week)Episode Sponsors:Year & Day: Beautiful ceramic tableware, plus flatware and more. Year & Day is giving Best Laid Plans listeners a special offer. Visit yearandday.com/plans and use PLANS to get $25 off your first order of $150 or more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 18, 2022 • 22min
When Life Gets Messy: How to Dig Yourself Out and Feel Better EP 90
In this episode, Sarah opens with a Planner Peace submission from Lynn, a fellow doctor-mom and planner lover! Lynn uses a combination of MakseLife, Midori Traveler's Notebooks, and a Hobonichi Cousin.Next, Sarah mentions a listener tip for those looking for outside accountability - an app system called Shelpful.Then, Sarah gets into today's main topic - a step by step system for digging yourself out of . . . .well, a mess. When life gets hectic and you get very behind, it can be very anxiety-provoking to have tasks and inputs built up everywhere. This episode provides a list of steps to help you get started, from identifying all of your in-baskets to scheduling catchup time into your calendar, and beyond.Visit https://theshubox.com/best-laid-plans-podcast for show notes and to leave a question or comment, written or audio!Episode Sponsor:Organize 365~ To learn more about Lisa Woodruff’s work and her amazing offerings, check out organize365.com, or go to organize365.com/minicourse for a free 7 days minicourse on getting yourself organized! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 11, 2022 • 25min
Follow Ups & Planner Launches EP 89
Sarah opens this episode with some follow ups -- thanking those who reached out to listener E, and discussing possible platforms for sharing more together. Then, she shares listener Amye's version of imperfect planner peace!Finally, she provides some details and her perspective on some big spring/academic planner launches (Simplified + EC).Episode sponsor: PrepDish! Go to PrepDish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 4, 2022 • 21min
Tracking: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly EP 88
This episode opens with a listener question about eco-friendly planners and also communication your plans with a childcare provider. Another listener writes in looking for ideas for a project to commemorate her 25 years of marriage (awwww!).Then, Sarah discusses all forms of tracking -- anything from nutrition to books read and beyond. She dives into the positive and negatives that that can come with the practice of recording various aspects of one's life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 28, 2022 • 21min
Accountability Partner Ideas + Inamio Review EP 87
A listener writes in searching for a planning accountability partner, and Sarah discusses ways that perhaps the BLP community could come together and share lists (preferably without the temptations of social media platforms).Then, she goes into a review of the Inamio 24 Hour Weekly Planner - a very similar option to Hobonichi, but with some key differences, including the paper and the price! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 21, 2022 • 36min
Nir Eyal: Planning to Fight Distractions EP 86
Nir Eyal is a former Stanford Business and Design School professor and most recently author of Indistractible: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. Sarah greatly enjoyed the book and her interest was piqued even further when she heard Nir on another podcast essentially summing up his strategy as PLANNING as the best defense against a distracted life. In this conversation, Nir dives deeply into his research on distractions and how the strategy of planning can help fight the powerful urges to spend our time and attention in ways we never intended.Find out more about Nir Eyal and see links to his work a https://www.nirandfar.com!Episode Sponsor:Organize 365! To learn more about Lisa Woodruff’s work and her unique and inspiring programs, check out organize365.com, or go to organize365.com/minicourse for a free 7 days minicourse on getting yourself organized! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 14, 2022 • 33min
Q&A: Digital Planning, Unstructured Days + MaskeLife 6 Month Undated Planner Mini-Review EP 85
In the first half of the episode, Sarah addresses two audio Q&A, one from a digital planning-curious listener and another juggling many professional demands with a 5 month old! A listener writes in about another seasonal family planning option - the 3-month Essential Calendar (https://www.theessentialcalendar.com).Finally, a fellow podcaster writes in with a question on where to keep those tasks that are 'not now, but someday' so that they don't get lost. Then, Sarah dives into the MaskeLife 6 month Undated Planner & Goal-Setting System.Listen for her true thoughts + a full walk through!Episode Sponsors:PrepDish! Check out PrepDish.com/plans for your first two weeks free! In addition to the Super fast menus that I love, PrepDish has gluten free, Paleo & low carb options so there is truly something for everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 7, 2022 • 27min
Planning a Full and Thoughtful Life with Dr. Christine Koh EP 84
In this fun conversational episode, Sarah joins Dr. Christine Koh -- former professor, podcaster, author, and self-proclaimed internet unicorn -- to chat abut all things planning and planning-adjacent!Christine shares her favorite planning techniques, her gentle way of goal-setting, and tips for family calendar management. Her approach to planning is thoughtful and kind, just like she is!Find Christine online at https://www.christinekoh.com, on Instagram @drchristinekoh, and on the podcast Edit Your Life, available on all podcast platforms! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices