In today's episode, Sarah and Laura conquer a common January conundrum: task management! Sarah came up with the term "airtight task management" to describe a system that allows for you to effectively corral all of your tasks and also ensure they bubble up at the right times! In general, this involves capturing all of the necessary inputs and prioritizing them in places you know you will look, but there are nuances and variations, too. Laura and Sarah discuss their systems, practices for handling undone tasks, thoughts on digital vs paper systems, and more!

In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking how they track the questions that come in! (very meta)!

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If you're looking to increase your reading in 2025, today's episode is for you!. Sarah and Laura discuss their reading habits and the Traci Thomas joins Sarah to discuss all things books, from reading habits during busy seasons (Traci has twins!), curating your reading lists, getting out of ruts, tracking reading, and much more.

In the Q&A, a listener asks about the logistics of having overnight care for a couples getaway.

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In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss their ideas for a Winter Fun list, even though they definitely have different winter climate experiences. Then, Laura introduces this year's Time Tracking Challenge! Sarah asks Laura questions about her time tracking practices, from methods to insights gained. Laura invites listeners to join her in tracking a week in January - visit her website for details (http://lauravanderkam.com)!

In the Q&A, a listener asks if it's really necessary to start thinking about summer camp now . . .

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It's that time of here - here comes the annual goals ep, just in time for 2025!

Today, Sarah and Laura share their 2025 goals (in mostly-finalized form) in several domains: personal, work, relationships, and home!

In the Q&A, they discuss how often they review their own lists: seasonally or more?

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It's the annual "look back" episode, covering 2024 in review! Sarah and Laura share their 2024 highlights, lowlights, and do a detailed reviews of the goals they set one year ago (and shared on the show!). Find out how close they came to their stated goals (spoiler: nailed it in some areas, not so much in others), and stay tuned for next week when they share goals for 2025! Domains discussed included personal, work, relationships, and household.

In the Q&A, they answer a question about the role of house manager.

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Laura and Sarah open by discussing the top trips they've ever taken with kids, and whether they ever dreamed of living abroad. Then, Sarah interviews
Oneika Raymond! Known as Oneika the Traveller, she is an Emmy-award-winning journalist, speaker, and TV host with a passion for travel and sharing all about it! She has a 5-year old, and shares tips, best destinations, and what she has learned over the years of including her daughter in her adventures starting from a young age.

In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for ideas to get through a long winter break sans childcare! (Episode referenced: https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/08/best-of-both-worlds-podcast-long-weekends-with-little-kids-survival-guide/ )

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In today's episode, Laura and Sarah record live together! They take turns alternating their favorite life hacks, from the philosophical (be okay repeating certain things, if you love them) to the mundane (keyboard shortcuts and apps)!

In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about activities for tweens and teens - what are some things this age group will be excited to do with the family?

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In today’s episode, Sarah chats with Shira Gill, author of LifeStyled, out this week about all things organizing. Shira shares all about her philosophy of “edit then elevate”, and discusses cataloguing all of her belongings, and her advice for getting started w a big intimidating organizing project!

In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer a listener question about management of tasks that need to happen “soonish”, but not necessarily on a defined date.

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In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss all things holiday planning, including the idea of going in to plan your holiday season with a 'blank slate' mindset - choosing things to do NOT just based on what you've done before, but because at least someone enjoys them! Laura notes that tradition itself does have value, so likely the things you've done over and over will carry more weight, but nothing necessarily needs to feel 'required'.

They discuss various ideas and their own decisions about this year's holiday season in categories: hosting, cooking fancy meals, cards, gifts, parties, decor, and more!

In terms of planning next year, Sarah shares two fun options if you'd like a guided planning experience:

Detailed 4 hr sessions (with workbook) in Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2025 (https://theshubox.com/courses) OR 1 hour visioning/planning 2025 session that will definitely get you started at the BOBW Patreon: (http://patreon.com/bestofbothworldspod)

In the Q&A, Sarah and Laura note which gifts they would choose for themselves :)

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Today's episode brings you lots of ideas for lightening your own mental load. Sarah and Laura share their own current 'mental load' challenges, and then Laura shares 7 tips that you might consider if you're looking to feel less overwhelmed by the cognitive and emotional effort it takes to manage life. Strategies discussed include writing things down (always!), batching, automation, embracing vertical ownership, encouraging kids to be independent, spending out when it will help your mental peace, and the all-time favorite: care less.

In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about what the best high-paying AND flexible jobs are. (Interesting question with no straightforward answer!)

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