Best Laid Plans

Cal Newport, computer science professor and author of the Time Block Planner, joins to discuss productivity and planning. He outlines his capture, configure, control framework. Hear about multi-scale time blocking, using paper and digital tools together, planning weekends differently, and how his planner emphasizes daily attention and repairable time-block grids.

A clear breakdown of a monthly review process with practical steps to celebrate wins and decide what to do with unfinished tasks. Walkthrough of monthly budget reconciliation and tips for planning big upcoming events with a partner. Guidance on setting realistic monthly actions, choosing one to three habit goals, planning logistics 60 days ahead, and checking reading lists and library holds.

Still in planner selection mode for 2021? The Wonderland 222 Planner and Notebook is worth a look, even if you think you've already figured out your perfect system! As a die hard Hobonichi fan I did not think there'd be any question as to what I'll be using next year but . . . this one truly gives me pause, and this episode includes a full review with all of the details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're deep into planner-buying season, so today's ep is a double review feature! The first product is the compact, versatile and lovely MyWeek. MyWeek is a weekly planner with a lot of versatility and flexibility. Cultivate What Matters is a very popular brand of planners focusing on goal-setting and intentionality. The PowerSheets Goal Planner features gorgeous design, bright colors, and would be a lovely accompaniment for your weekly and monthly review sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another Q&A episode! Today, Sarah addresses questions on planning through hectic work days when a lot of unpredictable tasks come up. She also answers questions about planning uncertainty in this era of the pandemic, whether to keep or toss old planners, and where she keeps her planner sidekick. She follows up with some brief planners news on new releases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode features a brief update on screen time goals and the planning methods supporting habit change. Then comes our deep dive into the guest segment with Imani Michelle, an attorney in NYC with a passion for planning! Imani plans primarily in ring bound systems, and she gets into the beauty and flexibility that comes with using inserts. Her favorite brands include Cloth & Paper, Luxplans, and 8Lotus -- and she shares her very favorite products from each of these companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this review episode, Sarah starts with some listener-submitted tips, and then dives deep into the Amplify Planner and a custom Papier dot grid journal. In the Q&A, a listener writes in about whether having one or many planning tools is better (spoiler answer: it depends!). As always, find more detailed show notes with pictures at theshubox.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's deep dive concept episode is all about tracking habits. Sarah goes into various ways people track habits in their planning systems, as well as what has worked best for her which is a simple practice of daily habit tracking. She shares her own foundation habits. Finally, there is a brief discussion of two new planners on the scene - the Amplify quarterly planner and a new rising star, Wonderland 222. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another BLP Q&A Epsiode! In this episode, Sarah answers questions about her accessory notebook, workout and meal planning, keeping track of big projects, and how to capture small details that link to calendar events. Then comes a surprise cameo from a young Hobonichi fan . . . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This potpourri episode is filled with favorites related to planning! Sarah goes into her most influential/inspirational planning-related books as well as her top 5 favorite planning podcasts. Then, there is an overview of upcoming fall planner releases for 2021! Find Sarah on instagram @shubox_plans as well as theshubox.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices