PART 1:
GIVEAWAYS!!! Yes, in the spirit of declutting I would love to send some planners to new loving homes – which means to you! Here’s the plan:
- I will do a random number drawing x 3. First pick will get their first choice, second pick will choose from what is left, and third pick will get what is left after that! Hopefully that will be fair enough because I don’t think realistically I can do 3 separate drawings.
- No location limitation – I will ship internationally. Equal opportunity this time!
2- Performance Lab FOCUS Planner (not available to order in the US currently – but maybe someday!)
3- Academic 2023-2024 Passion Planner (small)
I may throw in some other goodies. You will note the stack shown has >3 planners! Leave a comment if you wish to enter – I’ll just use the numerical order as drawing numbers.
DRAWING WILL END Thursday morning (7/27/23) at 9 AM Eastern and the winners will be announced in Friday’s post!
PART 2
Inspired by this episode of Deep Questions, I starting thinking about my own daily habits or disciplines. I do think there is something to the idea of using daily habits to both a) reap the benefits of the habit itself AND b) build self-efficacy.
My discipline tracking method:
- M = meditate (usually 10 min Headspace)
- O = go outside (if I run outside – that counts! so this is an easy one most day!)
- R = read
- music note = listen to some music (with kids in car counts!)
- D = duolingo
- sc = screen time
Piano –> help kid(s) with piano; Declutter –> recent addition. Maybe someday these will make it into the main “habit box”! I think I came up with this in 2020 (inspired by this Insta bullet journalist I think!) and I still use that little tracker!!
Things I try to do daily that are NOT noted above, mostly because they are so ingrained they just don’t need tracking:
- plan!
- fill out 5 year journal
- work out (well, usually 6x/week and I sort of think of this as separate as it’s so deeply ingrained to me – like flossing or taking vitamins or skincare etc)
- blog post (though lately I am skipping Saturdays!)
- read to G at night; lie with both big kids at night for 5-10 min
When I think about habits I am always really stuck by the fact that THERE IS A LOT WE DO DAILY! In fact . . . more of life is repeated habit/routine than not, right? Because of this, I think it’s really a good idea to do an audit of sorts every season – are there things you want to ADD, things you feel like you still want to do but don’t need to track anymore, or things you want to take out?
I also want to say that even though I aim to do many of those things daily, a caveat of “if time/energy allows” is important. This is a kindness to yourself. and the nice part is a new day comes . . . every day! You get a fresh start. I love that about life. And daily planners.
PS: August Q&A coming up + getting recorded this week – keep the questions coming, and TEACHERS – please send me an audio snippet or note about your favorite teacher planning strategies, and tips for keeping kids organized in the classroom are welcome, too!
EPISODE SPONSORS:
Green Chef: The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Go to greenchef.com/plans50 and use code plans50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!
196 Comments
Oh I love this reflection on daily habits. I don’t do daily tracking but use the Counter app to keep track of things, which helps me have a sense of things most days without beating myself up. The core elements include my overall mileage (cycling/walking combined, based on strava counts), outside time, social connection (a quick coffee with a colleague or a chat with a neighbour counts), books read to T, quality time with husband.
Some seasonal/specific things – NB shoe wears, because I HATE my ugly shoes and I told myself I can replace them once I’ve worn them 100 times, meals outside, volunteer hours (aiming for 40), and international books.
Reading is such a given for me, so I only track books read, rather than when I read.
I loved this episode. Entering the giveaway please. Any of the planners would be wonderful.
Hi Sarah, happy to know the giveaways is going international. Let’s see if I get lucky 😀
Hi! Entering the giveaway!
I love reading about other people’s daily habits.
Oh my gosh, yes please! The Rad & Happy looks perfect for me 🙂
Yes please for the giveaway 🙂
I have recently started tracking habits in my current planner. It’s definitely eye opening and motivating.
I’d like to enter the giveaway, too. I’d be happy with any of them, but the Rad & Happy planner is especially cool!
Love when you do planner reviews. Entering the prize draw, prefer 2 or 3 if possible. Thanks for all you do.
I love giveaways because playing with planners is fun 🙂
Prefer 1 or 2! Thanks for doing this, how fun! Love the theme of “in the spirit of decluttering”, I had a big basket of clothes to give away. I was planning to try to sell them consignment but I was putting it off. I signed up for a donation that picks it up and it is gone! Probably lost out on some cash but the declutter is my win!
I would love to try any of these planners. Thank you, Sarah!
Interested in the giveaway. Thanks for the content (blog/pod) you produce.
Hi Sarah, planners look great- I’d like to enter the giveaway please! 😊
Happy Monday! I would like to enter the giveaway. Thank you!
Ooooh! Entering the giveaway, I’d love any of the 3!!
Hi! It’s interesting to think about habits and how one views them. For me it takes a LONG time (years) for something to be just something I do. I’m in for the giveaway! Thank you!!
Hello! I would like to enter the giveaway!
Very curious about the erasable pens, cool giveaway.
Consider me entered in the giveaway 😀
Hi Sarah, what a fun giveaway!
Ooh wow, international giveaway!! I’ll enter 🙂
Would love to try a new planner! Here to enter the giveaway 🙂
Entering the giveaway! Also, I’m a teacher in Canada and I use Planboard. 😊 You can set up your timetable completely digitally and it’s colour coded.
Love your writing! Entering the giveaway.
I’d love to try a new planner!
Entering the giveaway!
Hi, entering the giveaway!
Would LOVE a planner! Thanks for doing the giveaway!! 🙂 🙂
Love your podcast! Passion planner and pens giveaway please!
Excited to enter the giveaway!
These planners look great – would love to enter!
Another excited for Internationals being included! Also a MyFitnessPal user here – another element in keeping ourselves accountable along with journaling/planning. You are very inspiring Sarah, love the comment re getting a fresh start with every new day 🙂
I’d like to enter, please!
Entering the giveaway!
Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome giveaway! Love your reviews and insight!
Hi! Entering the giveaway! 😄
I’d Mike to enter the giveaway! Thank you!
I am always in for trying something new 🙂
I’ve been looking for a back to school planner (school social worker here!) and any of these would be neat to try!
Hello! Thanks for another great episode. I especially appreciated you discussing daily habits and routines. So true – we do a lot more than we realize! I would love to give the Performance planner a try! Thanks for all you do!
Just starting my second year as faculty as would love to be better planned!
I’d like to enter the giveaway! Thank you, Sarah!
Entering the giveaway! I’d love the Passion Planner! I’m a middle school librarian at a Title 1 school. If I get lucky and get drawn, I plan on doing a giveaway at the school for the students!
I love reading about your habits! Would love to be entered into the giveaway! You got me started on actually using a regular planner last year and I love it! Also your habits really inspire me. I’m working on adopting more of those.
Love these thoughts and perspectives on daily routines and habits! A reframe I (didn’t know I!) needed: even things that are not “intentional” habits or routines, if I do them every day, are effectively routines—so why not audit and reflect on whether there’s anything I would change about those things. Love it! Also the giveaway is awesome and I’d love to enter. Not a teacher but this time of year, when back to school season looms, still always feels like a “fresh start” that could use a time audit and planner refresh.
Love this post, love your content and would love one of those planners!
Hat in the ring (:
Would be interested in any of the planners for the giveaway, thanks!
Interested in the Passion Planner giveaway.
I love your reminder to give ourselves grace – so very important!
Now that I have 3 kids in 3 schools
And 2 full time working parents, I need a better system for planning-let’s start with a new planner!!
Entering the giveaway!
Entering. Thank you
New planners are so inspiring.
Hi Sarah, thanks for your content from a longtime reader in the UK, excited that the giveaway is going global, count me in!
Inspired by your bullet journaling !
Hello, I’m interested in checking out a paper planner – thanks!
Thank you for your content Sarah from a long time reader in the UK – excited for the giveaway to go global – count me in!
Would love one of these, thank you!
I’ve also started tracking habits on an excel sheet recently – I agree I need more accountability and discipline too!
The Performance Lab planner looks interesting. Please include me in drawing. Thank you!
I’m ready for a new planner and would love to try one of these!
I’m interested in the Passion Planner giveaway! Thanks!
Sarah, thanks for being the foundation that lets such a supportive and inspiring community exist. Reading The SHU is one of my favorite habits!
Thank you for all your blog, podcast and newsletter content! Would love to try one of these planners.
I’d love to enter the giveaway! Thank you for your generosity, Sarah!
Entering the planner giveaway! I am a fan of BOB and BLP. Thanks for all the advices and content you create 🙂
I would love to enter the giveaway! Thanks as always!
Entering the giveaway! Thank you!
YOU WON! (winner #1!!!) about to email 🙂
Good time to think about a new planner! I’ve been using a very simple planner from target for a few years but would be fun to try something new.
Entering the giveaway! Love reading your blog.
I would love to enter the giveaway! Good luck to everyone;)
I would love to enter the giveaway!
The Passion Planner or Lab Focus Planner is my prefernce.
Hi Sarh, I started listening to you early this year, binged thru all your podcasts and bought a planner by end of Feb, for the first time in my life. It has been a great learning experience and is helping me stay on track on so many avenues.
Also please do not discontinue your podcasts. Your words of wisdom do make a difference in our lives for the better and are always appreciated much more than you may realize.
Thank you for your generous offer. Pls do add me to the planner’s random drawing.
Rabia
kabanirab@gmail.com
I would love to be in the giveaway for the Passion Planner! Thank you for the time you put into this blog and your work, Sarah!
Excited to enter the giveaway!
Would love to enter the giveaway for any of the 3! I’ve been using kindred and co planners for a few years and love it but also looking to branch out and try something new.
Hi Sarah! I’d love to try all three but if I get to pick one I’d choose the performance lab focus planner. Thank you 🙂 Payal
Entering the giveaway!
Entering the giveaway! Thank you!!
Oh, these planners look interesting!
Would love to enter the giveaway!
I’m entering the giveaway
Entering the giveaway! My pick is for sure the rad and happy in part because I am a sucker for any plant themed items but excited for the new layout to try.
Hi Sarah, entering the giveaway!
Would love to win a planner!
Would love to be entered in the planner drawing. Thanks!
I would love to win either planner! Exciting!
I’d love the Rad and Happy planner!
Rad and happy would be my top choice, but I’d love to win any of these 🙂
I would love the Rad and Happy Planner! I’m really needing freedom with some structure to keep me focused! I have had a hard time finding one I like!
I love your podcast!
I’d love to enter the giveaway! I’m really interested in setting up my year in quintiles soon. 🙂
I would love to try any of these planners! I think the focus one could actually be a good one for me. Thanks for your podcast!
Hi Sarah, Really great to hear that you include international readers/fans!
I love your interest in planners! Thanks for all the tips!
Interested in Rad & Hapy
Would love to win a planner! #1 and #2 are my fav! Thanks for all you do Sarah!
Yes please to entering the giveaway! And lots of love from one big Cal Newport fan to another ❤️
Would love to enter the fun giveaway!
Entering the giveaway! Thanks!
Thanks for making this give away international 🙂 I’m in!
entering the giveaway! 🙂 thank you!!
Hi! Look forward to your podcast every week!
Yay! Thank you, entering the giveaway! ❤️
Hello – also entering the giveaway 🙂
One of the planners looks just about perfect for what I’ve been looking for….here’s hoping! (And thanks for making it international!)
I am a teacher who uses a Passion Planner undated daily when I need a little extra boost. Would love to try the Academic & pens – thanks for sharing!
Count me in! Thanks for sharing the love!
I’m interested in the passion planner. Thanks for offering a give!
Hi Sarah! I am entering the giveaway. Thanks for all you do!
My daughter and I love planners! Thanks for doing the giveaway!
Hi Sarah!
One of my favorite things to plan with my students is their summer reading. It’s easy to say they’ll read, but I believe it is so important, we devote a week to working on a well developed plan. It includes; a calendar to show when they’ll be away on trips and at camp, a book list, the possible locations for reading, places they will get the books, and the time of day they’ll read. I love checking in with them in September to learn about how the plan helped them. Thank you for all of your great content!
Fingers crossed, would love one of these planners! Thanks for doing this!
Hi – would love to try the Performance planner! Thanks for all your great planning content and for running the giveaway!
Throwing my hat in for the giveaway for the academic passion planner on behalf of my middle schooler son. I am a male physician (radiologist), long time listener of your podcast and would love to give out the academic passion planner to my son who has been using a Class Tracker Ultimate Dated planner with some success this year. I would love the academic passion planner for him. Sounds like it might be a good fit.
Thanks for the giveaway! Fun!
Thanks for having a giveaway! I really like the looks of Rad & Happy Undated, and thanks for the introduction to this one since I’d not been familiar previously. I’d wondered before what your various habit tracker notes were. I really like the idea of doing that for a few habits I’d like to add (or subtract…).
Hi! I would love to win a planner! Need to shake up my routine.
Always excited to see new planners! I love that you are making so many people happy while decluttering! I’d like Passion Planner.
Hello! Entering the giveaway and hoping for an exciting new planner!
I’d love to enter the giveaway!
Thanks for all your posts, reviews, podcasts…everything!
Entering the giveaway – I’m ready for a mid-year planner switch up!
I love how you apologize for trying out the planners or testing the paper, Sarah. I would love any of the planners. There really is a planner for everyone. The “rad and happy” sounds like my free spirit son (who is about to start high school this fall), the “Passion Academic” planner sounds perfect for my 15 year old daughter (an organized and academic minded ballet dancer with a crazy busy schedule) and the Australian Focus planner sounds like it would be great for me because I have an electronic work schedule but could really use something more like a coaching planner.
Great episode! I would be happy to try any of the planners
Entering the giveaway!
I love that these planners will get used instead of tossed! Great idea!
I appreciate the planner reviews so much! Please enter me in the drawing for absolutely any 🙂
Love the description of the Performance Lab Focus Planner! Fingers crossed!
Gotta love a good notebook for random notes & brain dumps. I’ll plan vacations in one & put final details (what we did, where we are & what we spent, to : download photos v& make Mixbook ) in my actual planner after we completed the trip .
Checkout : https://youtube.com/@TheMinimalMom
For decluttering tips. I purchased her 15 min pdf /workbook (printed & bound) & her Bundt recipe book, too. Love her!
Hi! I would be so happy to win any of the planners! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Entering the giveaway! Such a fun idea.
Love the look of the passion planner!
Entering the giveaways for the Passion Planner and the Performance lab Focus planner! Great episode, Sarah.
Thank you for all your content. I’ve learned so much from you.
Excited to try one! Never had a planner!
Starting my first year as a full time school social worker and I can not figure out the right planning tool for it, I feel like this is maybe fate throwing a solution my way!
Thank you for opening it to internationals!
Would love to try the passion planner or the rad & happy.
Yael you are winner #2!!!! Emailing!
Thanks for having a giveaway eligible for Canadians:). I’d love any of the 3 options.
Entering the giveaway! I have learned so much from you. Thanks for your blog, podcasts, and Patreon 🙂
Decisions, decisions. I think I’d pick #2 (if “Hermoine Granger” uses it, it’s gotta be good right?)…but also feel like I’d ask you to make the choice for me since I have a feeling you’d pick the perfect one of the bunch to suit my needs <3
I’d love to enter the giveaway for the Rad and Happy! It looks perfect for me.
Loved listening today and love a good giveaway. Thanks, Sarah!
I am not entering the giveaway, but I really wanted to drop you a line to thank you for including international blog readers / podcast listeners. It is really frustrating when bloggers / podcasters exclude us, even though we are part of their numbers and, thus, their success and appeal to advertisers. Thank you.
Entering the giveaway (really appreciate you making it international!)
Still trying to develop daily habits as I felt inspired by Cal Newport talking about the importance of proving to yourself you can be a disciplined person, and I’m very aware I currently don’t see myself as disciplined, so your discussion on how you do that was really helpful.
Loved listening to this episode and ended up writing down my daily routines and thinking about what is working and what isn’t.
This was a great episode! Would love to win the Rad and Happy undated planner.
What a fun giveaway! Thank you for doing this!
You are #3!!! Emailing!!
Amazing and generous giveaway! Thank you SO much for opening this up internationally!
Count me in for the giveaway, thanks SHU!
I would love to try out the Rad and Happy planner!! Love love love your podcast.
Hello, and thank you for your podcast! I am inspired and refreshed by your content, especially as a fellow working mother in an academic setting 🙂 Please enter me to win any of these planners…I’m in an exploratory phase and have just now given myself permission to switch up planners mid-year (or whenever I darn well feel like it!). Thank you!
I really enjoyed the podcast episode! My favorite for the giveaway is the Rad and Happy planner. Looks like a good undated option!
Entering the giveaway!
Love your reviews and your shows! Consider me entered for any of the planners you reviewed! Cheers! Mary
Hi Sarah, I am relatively new listener to your podcast. I subscribed about 3 months ago and, since then, have diligently listened to all episodes in chronological order. I finally caught up today and what do I hear?!? – you have a planner giveaway! I will try my luck by entering the draw. I am also new to planning and so don’t really know the kind of planner I might like. If I really had to pick, I would go with the one that had the daily pages followed by the undated planner. Thanks!
Love the look of the Rad & Happy!
Love your discipline tracking method, think I’ll give it a try in my Hobinichi Techo (English). Would love the Rad and Happy Undated, but live in New Zealand so hope that’s ok!
Very fun giveaway! Keeping my fingers crossed because I might be wavering on my devotion to my current planner and looking to try something new. Or maybe I just need to get more disciplined, we’ll see.
[Something profound here]
Thanks for the podcasts 🙂
Hi Sarah, I discovered your podcast way back when you were on Laura Tremaine’s podcast! Thank you for so much fun and practical information! All three planners sound unique in their own way, please put me in all the drawings. Peggy
Sarah, Thank you for all you’ve shared! I’ve learned so much over the years. I’m a peds hospitalist so completely relate to your doc mom life. I’m still working on my planner peace and trying to be okay without having found my perfect planner planner yet. I’m also not yet living my consistent planning life yet so I welcome the experiment. I’d love the focus planner if I’m a lucky winner.
Did you say planners? 😊 I so enjoy that someone else out there enjoys planning and pens too! Please add me to the drawings
Hi Sarah! Count me in please for the Giveaway!! I would love to have the ‘Rad & Happy Undated planner’. Sally
Any of them sound lovely, I used leftover blank pages in last year’s w222 planner to do layouts as I needed them but definitely regret it. Want to jump back in, and one of these would be a mockery m
I have just discovered your podcast through Cal Newport. And hoping for an international winner for your giveaway.
My preferred planner would be the passion planner.
Wish me luck from down under
Hello! I’d love to win the rad and happy. Thanks for the giveaway x
Entering the giveaway!
Entering! Yay!
Thanks for having the giveaway, would love to try one 🙂
I would love #3 or 2. 😀
I want to enter!
Would love the Performance Lab planner – I currently use Artful Agenda – love the digital format for my phone, web, and tablet…but a goals planner like that would be helpful!
I’m always looking for ways to improve my organization, and a spiffy new planner is one of them!
Entering the giveaway because I need a kickstart on planning. Thank you for the inspiration.
Sarah – I would love to try any of the planners. Something new is always fun to try at this time of year.
Giveaway. The Focus Planner sound really cool!
(Almost) Daily Rituals: I listen to part of religious podcast (1st podcast of the day), pray, weigh myself, measure my glucose and ketones, take my meds/vitamins, and do a lesson in Duolingo.
Thank you so much Sarah! I binged your podcast and now I listen to it weekly. I wish to take part in the giveaway, I really like the Performance Lab FOCUS Planner and the Academic 2023-2024 Passion Planner. I wish to win to have another tool to help me beat procrastination.
Hi Sarah! Love the podcast, and would love to enter the giveaway. I’d be especially thrilled to receive the Rad&Happy or the Passion Planner. Finger’s crossed 🤞🤞🤞
Excited to enter the giveaway, and thanks for making it international!!!
How fun! I love trying out new planners! 🙂
Hi! Thank you so much Sarah for this fun contest! I binged your podcast last year and now I listen to it weekly. Say, I’d love to take part in the contest for the planners 2 or 3. I’d use them to beat my procastination.
I would love to enter the giveaway! Thanks so much! My current planner is not cutting it.
Entering the giveaway! They all sound fun, thank you for doing this 🥰
Entering the Giveway! Would love any of them 🙂
Entering. I’m most interested in the Focus planner.
That stack of planners is making me a little bit more excited for the back to school bonanza!
Entering the giveaway – searching for a planner that will capture work, home and all in between. I have been listening to The Best of Both Worlds and was recommended your podcast.
Yay, a planner giveaway! I’d love to try Rad and Happy or the Focus planner.
I would love to receive any of these!
I think I’m too late, but new listener, entering the drawing for a planner. Thanks!
Would love the Rad and Happy!