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
When Your Best Laid Plans Fall Through . . . EP 310 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:00
Very personal episode today! Sarah shares her own recent experiences dealing with a recent disappointment -- zero regrets about making the plans, but definitely some sadness about them not coming to fruition. July Sponso…
Climbing Out of a Hard Phase with Lisa Woodruff EP 309 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:01
Lisa Woodruff is the founder of Organize 365 and author of multiple books, most recently Escaping Quicksand. Sarah always loves her ideas about planning and time, and in today's episode they chat overcoming overwhelm, bu…
5 Lessons from Time Tracking That Aren't What You'd Think EP 308 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:03
Sarah tracked her time for over 2 weeks (something she has struggled with in the past). What were her conclusions? Did she find 10 hours of free time that she didn't know she had? Will she continue for 10 years like her…
Midyear Planner Stack Report (Techo Kaigi!) - Video Available! EP 307 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
Today's episode is a podcast with optional video! Sarah goes through a detailed midyear status report on her 2026 Planner Stack, sharing the analog notebooks and planners she uses regularly.Items mentioned: Midori Hibino…
Need a Summer Fresh Start? Taja Fitness Planner + The Dailee EP 305 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:04
In today's episode, Sarah reviews two planners for listeners looking for some fresh start energy this summer!First is the Taja: https://www.tajaacademic.com/product/fitness-workout-journal-for-women-men-a55-5-x-8-5-worko…
Plan Your Summer with Me! EP 304 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:35
In today's episode, Sarah shares step-by-step how she thinks through planning her summer (including her real-life plans and goals for this summer!). You can use this episode as your own summer planning guide by pausing i…
More Planning x Money Talk + Sarah's Current Thoughts on AI EP 303 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:26
In today's episode, Sarah shares some follow up listener comments to the prior discussion about the intersection between spending (or saving!) and planning, and then she delves into a (somewhat raw!) discussion of her fe…
May Q&A: New Fave Pen, Does Planning Help Save Money? and More EP 302 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:31
In today's episode, Sarah provides a few life updates and then shares a wonderful planning tip from a listener.Then, topics discussed include:- Does planning help to save money?- How do you avoid rewriting daily lists wh…