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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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In today's episode, Sarah opens with a planner peace vignette from Olga, who describes her various methods for planning in fun!
Then, she discusses the topic of reading and focus, with emphasis on ideas around improving one's focus over time with intentional time spent building the skill and endurance around paying attention.
Mentioned:
Atlantic article (gift link):
Substack with the 'training plan for reading' concept: https://naomialderman.substack.com/p/lets-do-a-couch-to-5k-for-reading
Also mentioned:
Hemlock & Oak tariff news- https://www.hemlockandoak.com/blogs/theweeklyspread/where-we-stand-50-tariffs-on-us-orders-starting-august-19th?srsltid=AfmBOoomppnNJfzC4vjTsrYdNz5Eg0RobWbH1lYg3jaCBuUz4vFcMGMT
Hobonichi launch- https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/?srsltid=AfmBOorTU25X3TOOOAPmMywniMoK8OBswJXGVs56jrgUjk9TRpkYWpgm
BLPA2.0: theshubox.com/courses

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

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In today's episode, Sarah does a midyear goal setting chat with her friend Kae! They answer a series of questions together to troubleshoot and check in with how the year is going so far, providing encouragement and ideas along the way.
You can use this episode as a template of sorts to conduct your own friend or partner check-in, at the end of a month, season, or year!
Find more from Kae at gratefulkae.com (and check out the Google Tasks Widget she recommends!)
Additional note: BLPA2.0 registration is OPEN for fall! Visit theshubox.com/courses for details!

Our Sponsors

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

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Some people feel like planning in fun takes away . . . well, some of the fun! Sarah counters some of the common arguments for planning in fun, and offers suggestions for adding fun to every time frame, from yearly to daily!

July Sponsors

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

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