Best Laid Plans

By Sarah Hart-UngerSociety & Culture Education Self-Improvement Personal Journals

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Typical duration
23 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Best Laid Plans episodes

October 12 Seasonality, Periodicity + October Q&A EP 324
In today's episode, Sarah starts off by sharing some answers to listener question! First comes a planning adjacent question around protein intake, as a listener wanted to know which planning tactics help for meeting nutritional goals. Then, Sarah discusses options for managing on-the-fly screenshots. Finally, a listener with a toddler asks for advice for this challenging era and Sarah shares her experiences and tips from that time!
Then, Sarah shifts gears and talks about the idea of seasonality or periodicity -the idea that we can't push hard all the time but instead need different levels of effort + rest within a day, week, month, season, and even year.
NOTES:
Course info: theshubox.com/courses -- registration OPEN for Planning 2027, and Planning By Season will be available for signup on 11/2 first via the newsletter.
OCTOBER SPONSORS
Boll & Branch: Amazingly comfortable bedding. Get 20% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠bollandbranch.com/plans⁠ with code plans
Factor: Healthy meals with ultimate convenience. Visit ⁠factormeals.com/plans50off⁠ and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026.
Quince: Beautifully made classic pieces for your fall wardrobe, and more. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Explore Worldwide: Explore Worldwide’s trips are crafted, planned and facilitated by real human experts who know all those hidden local gems. Check out all of the wonderful options at ⁠exploreworldwide.com⁠IXL: Effective home learning for grades K-12! Visit ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.
Warby Parker: Buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at ⁠WarbyParker.com/PLANS⁠.
PrepDish: Strategic and healthy meal planning right in your inbox. Check out ⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠ for 2 weeks, free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 min
October 05Top 10 Rules for Planning & Life Management EP 323
Inspired by an episode of EMPowered Radio (https://macroswithem.com/pages/podcast) , Sarah is listing her top 10 Standard Operating Procedures or rules for planning and life management.
The summary:
Take your time to plan well, FIRST.

No task left behind / Airtight Task Management
Episode mentioned: https://theshubox.com/2026/02/blp-ep-288-your-guide-to-airtight-task-management.html

Planning goes in the planning container - once you have your list, you execute and focus on the task at hand

One source of truth!!!!

Control your inputs.

Planning doesn’t occur in a vacuum - have a communication plan
Lazy Genius Ep mentioned: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy/familymeetings

Use the tools that make you happy and fit your current life circumstances. Switch if you want, but you better have a really good reason.

Watch your energy and remember you are a human — even during the planning phases.

For the most part, TRY to remain faithful to your list. (goes hand in hand with making a realistic list!!!!)

Be willing to iterate - don’t let planning box you in too tightly!!!
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Course info including Best Laid Plans: 2027 registration (now also CME option available!) - visit theshubox.com/courses
Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter
OCTOBER SPONSORS
Boll & Branch: Amazingly comfortable bedding. Get 20% off your first order plus free shipping at bollandbranch.com/plans with code plans
Factor: Healthy meals with ultimate convenience. Visit factormeals.com/plans50off and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026.
Quince: Beautifully made classic pieces for your fall wardrobe, and more. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Explore Worldwide: Explore Worldwide’s trips are crafted, planned and facilitated by real human experts who know all those hidden local gems. Check out all of the wonderful options at exploreworldwide.com
IXL: Effective home learning for grades K-12! Visit https://www.ixl.com/plans to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.
Warby Parker: Buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/PLANS.
PrepDish: Strategic and healthy meal planning right in your inbox. Check out PrepDish.com/plans for 2 weeks, free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
September 28 Planner Shopping Tips + 2 Mini-Reviews -- Aura Estelle + Faded Chronicle EP 322
It's a planner-packed episode today!
Sarah discusses:
- Planner buying season - mindset + shopping tips! For fun, Sarah's 2027 stack can be viewed at youtube.com/@bestlaidplansvideo
- Upcoming planning experiences, including Planning 2027 (registration opens 10/1, with details in the newsletter - theshubox.com/newsletter). Special bonus this year - participants also get the brand new Nested Goals workbook (pdf).
- Reviews of two fantastic Tomoe River Paper options:
1) Aura Estelle Magnet Planner (A5 vertical weekly - https://www.auraestelle.com/products/2027-weekly-vertical-magnet-planner?variant=48662624469224) - $54.95 (preorder)
2) Faded Chronicle (A5 Collective - https://fadedchronicle.com/products/preorder-the-2027-chronicle-planner-tn-all-in-one?_pos=1&_fid=ae647e958&_ss=c) - $59
If you'd like to be entered for a chance to win one of these, visit today's show notes at theshubox.com (winner drawn 9/30!).
OUR SPONSORS:
IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans with listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.
Factor: Head to ⁠⁠factormeals.com/plans⁠⁠ and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026.
Boll & Branch: Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠⁠BollAndBranch.com/plans⁠⁠ with code plans.
Quince: Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers or go to ⁠⁠quince.com/plans⁠⁠
PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 min
September 21 Mixed Bag Episode! Fall Life Update, Course Info, Weekend Ideas, and Planning FAQs EP 321
In today's mixed bag episode, Sarah chats about:
- Current life update, 1 month into Quintile 4 (Back to School)
- Hobonichi drama with happy ending (eventual unboxing video will be at https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo -- but likely not for a week or so!)
- Upcoming course offerings (including 2027!) - brief overview, with first 2027 courses launching in October. (Best place to stay up to date about offerings is the newsletter - theshubox.com/newsletter !)
- Great listener tips from M on weekend planning to balance intention + spontaneity (love his idea of last-minute performance tickets!)
- FAQs -- the 5 things I get asked most often, with overview responses! The questions:
1) Where should I capture this task? (Reference - Airtight Task Capture ep: https://theshubox.com/2026/02/blp-ep-288-your-guide-to-airtight-task-management.html)
2) I have a lot going on- which planner should I use?
3) What do I do if my partner resists planning?
4) What happens if the month and season start at the time time (or if the season starts just before the month, or vice versa?)
5) What do I do if my plans go up in flames every time I start my work day due to some emergency?
OUR SPONSORS:
IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans with listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.
Factor: Head to ⁠⁠factormeals.com/plans⁠⁠ and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026.
Boll & Branch: Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠⁠BollAndBranch.com/plans⁠⁠ with code plans.
Quince: Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers or go to ⁠⁠quince.com/plans⁠⁠
PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 min
September 14 Planning Big Projects + Making Room for Fun with Gemma Hartley EP 320
In today's episode, Sarah interviews author and mother of 3 Gemma Hartley about her planning system, with a focus on the tools Gemma uses to plan (and enjoy life!) while she tackles bit projects like writing a book.
Mentioned on the podcast:
Standard Issue planner: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/2026-2027-black-standard-issue-weekly-desk-planner-designworks-ink/1148365276
Google Tasks
Notion
Courses page: theshubox.com/courses (find info on the free time management for heathcare providers webinar here!)
Sarah's newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter
OUR SPONSORS:
IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans with listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠.
Factor: Head to ⁠factormeals.com/plans⁠ and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026.
Boll & Branch: Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠BollAndBranch.com/plans⁠ with code plans.
Quince: Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers or go to ⁠quince.com/plans⁠
PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
36 min
September 07 Routines Deep Dive + Weekend Planning Challenges EP 319
Today's episode is all about routines! First, Sarah addresses a listener question around weekend planning - how to avoid feeling like the time was wasted without locking yourself in to too many scheduled activities?
Then, Sarah talks all about ROUTINES -- why they deserve attention, and a wide variety of routines you might not have thought about (from your "getting ready" routine to your shutdown ritual!).
Note of a FREE 2-session seminar on time management for healthcare providers (Sarah is cohosting along with two Johns Hopkins physicians) - get the signup link on today's show notes post at theshubox.com.
OUR SPONSORS:
IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans with listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans.
Factor: Head to factormeals.com/plans and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026.
Boll & Branch: Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/plans with code plans.
Quince: Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers or go to quince.com/plans
PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
22 min
August 31 Why Autopilot Doesn't Work + 5 Things Sarah is Loving Now EP 318
In this episode, Sarah discusses why autopilot (or always choosing the default, easiest choices) doesn't work. She starts with the example of health, and then compares the decline of our society's physical health (particularly metabolic health) to cognitive and emotional struggles many face today in our current digital landscape.
She then moves on to 5 things she is loving now -- lightening the mood considerably!
Mentioned on the ep:
- Cal Newport's recent episode discussing cognitive KPIs: https://www.thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/how-to-build-a-cognitive-training-plan-monday-advice/
- Hobonichi launch site:
https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/magazine/2027/y27/?srsltid=AfmBOopv4kxup7kx0tbdd2yl9WyyElZXI15WfwGg9l-az5ya6klfqXkX

August Sponsors:
Factor Meals: Head to factormeals.com/plans50off and and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box while supplies last until 10/31/2026
IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
22 min
August 24 Reasons to Plan Seasonally + Goal Planners (Farewell to PowerSheets + Amplify!) EP 317
In today's episode, Sarah shares some of the ways in which she benefitted from her own seasonal planning session, and then she pivots to a discussion of goal planners- what's out there, what's going away, and what can they help with. She also notes her plans to create a Nested Goals Workbook for 2027 - stay tuned! To stay the most up to date, be sure to subscribe to Sarah's newsletter at theshubox.com/newsletter
Planners Mentioned:
Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets (being discontinued): https://cultivatewhatmatters.com/collections/planners
Amplify (being discontinued)
https://www.amplifyplanner.com/
Ink + Volt
https://inkandvolt.com/collections/planners/dated
Commit30
https://commit30.com/products/2027-weekly-goal-planner
MakseLife
https://makselife.com/collections/all-planners
EC Monthly
https://www.erincondren.com/monthly-planner
Full Focus
https://fullfocusstore.com/collections/planners
August Sponsors:
Factor Meals: Head to factormeals.com/plans50off and and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box while supplies last until 10/31/2026
IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 min
August 17 8 Back-to-School Planning Tactics and All About Quintile 4 EP 316
In today's episode, Sarah confesses to her recent planner switchup, and then shares her love for Quintile 4, her "throwback" fall favorites, and 8 planning tactics for the back to school season.
MD Notebook mentioned: https://amzn.to/4wWYhyM (affiliate link)
August Sponsors:
Factor Meals: Head to factormeals.com/plans50off and and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box while supplies last until 10/31/2026
IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 min
August 10 August Q&A: Digital Task Management, Uncluttered Phone Screens, Planner Perfectionism + More! EP 315
In today's episode, Sarah addresses listener questions sent for the month of August!
Topics include:
- Her current work schedule
- Digital task management adventures thus far, plus a listener rec for Tick Tick
- Sarah's current uncluttered phone setup
- Addressing planner perfectionism
- Annual vs Academic calendars
- Planner news mentioned:
Aura Estelle Magnet Planner: https://www.auraestelle.com/collections/2027-magnet-release
Hobonichi launch site: https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/magazine/2027/y27/?srsltid=AfmBOooovhvxPNwqs3QaGJ1sPfcv7mMp2W1A3OfaywUsenfnzUgUjzLi
August Sponsors:
Factor Meals: Head to factormeals.com/plans50off and and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box while supplies last until 10/31/2026
IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.
PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 min

About Best Laid Plans

From the publisher's feed

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…