Where To START, and Planning to Revolutionize Your Social Life EP 295

Where To START, and Planning to Revolutionize Your Social Life EP 295

Author: Sarah Hart-Unger March 23, 2026 Duration: 35:36
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. Episode Sponsors IXL:  Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans  listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.  Green Chef:  Healthy meals that fit your nutrition goals (and are delicious too!).  Head to Greenchef dot com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.  Mint Mobile:  Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile!  Shop plans at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠.  PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!).  Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world that often feels chaotic, the simple act of putting pen to paper can be a radical act of intention. Best Laid Plans explores that very impulse, delving into the human desire to organize our time, our tasks, and our thoughts. Host Sarah Hart-Unger brings a uniquely grounded perspective to these conversations; as a practicing physician, a mother of three, and a seasoned podcast creator, her life is a living laboratory for different planning systems. This isn't just a show about buying the perfect notebook, though you'll certainly hear thoughtful reviews. It's about the philosophies behind our calendars and to-do lists, and how those frameworks shape our days and ambitions. Each episode feels like a chat with a deeply knowledgeable friend, one who understands that our systems must serve our messy, real lives. You'll find discussions that range from practical techniques for managing professional projects to the cultural significance of journaling, all filtered through Sarah's appreciation for both analog tools and digital efficiency. The podcast regularly features interviews with experts who examine productivity from psychological, artistic, and sociological angles, moving beyond simple hacks. It’s for anyone who has ever found solace in a list or wondered if there’s a better way to navigate their obligations and goals. By listening to this podcast, you join a community considering how the structures we create-or abandon-fundamentally influence our sense of accomplishment and well-being.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Best Laid Plans
Podcast Episodes
Planning Big Projects + Making Room for Fun with Gemma Hartley EP 320 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:08
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.Menti…
Routines Deep Dive + Weekend Planning Challenges EP 319 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:11
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,…
Why Autopilot Doesn't Work + 5 Things Sarah is Loving Now EP 318 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:23
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 (partic…
8 Back-to-School Planning Tactics and All About Quintile 4 EP 316 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:02
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: htt…
Reading + Focus Training Plans EP 314 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:15
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 o…
Goals in Real Life: Mid-Year Chat with a Friend EP 313 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:09
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…
The Case for Planning Fun EP 312 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:24
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 dai…