Show Notes
In today's episode, Sarah answers a question from Nate (who heard Sarah on Cal Newport's Deep Questions Podcast), who asked where it makes sense to START in terms of implementing all of the planning systems she talks about on this podcast (and in her book!). How does one begin to build a system - all at once, or piece by piece?Useful references mentioned:Airtight Task Management Episode: https://theshubox.com/2026/02/blp-ep-288-your-guide-to-airtight-task-management.htmlAnnual Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2024/11/ep-226-your-mini-guide-to-2025-annual-planning.htmlSeasonal Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2024/03/blp-episode-189-diving-into-quintile-2.htmlMonthly Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2025/05/blp-ep-252-monthly-planning-rhythms-completist-mini-review.htmlWeekly Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2020/08/day-140-blp-ep-2-weekly-review.html (note: this is the SECOND EVER ep of BLP, so stay tuned for a renewed weekly planning episode coming soon!)Daily Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2021/02/blp-ep-28-daily-planning-routines-and-crowding-out-bad-habits.htmlThen, Sarah interviews September Gerety, an CEO in her empty nest phase who has found herself with a thriving community and social life -- and it all started with some planned. She shares her story (as well as a bit about her current systems!). If you have questions for September, you can find her via this episode's show notes at theshubox.com.
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More from Best Laid Plans
In today's episode, Sarah shares her current daily layout (you can see a photo on today's show notes - theshubox.com) in the MD Notebooks she is currently using (Jetpens: https://www.jetpens.com/MD-Notebook-A5-Lined/pd/13606; Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4ds8jQL) as well as the prompt she uses to help with scheduling.Then, she discusses several planning tactics that help alleviate anxiety.NOTES:Sarah's annual planning course Best Laid Plans: Planning 2027 is open for registration at theshubox.com/coursesPlanning By Season 2027 will release via newsletter in early November - you can subscribe for more info and initial access at theshubox.com/newsletter
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.
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.
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) - $59If 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!).
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?