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Katie: Hiya, and welcome to “The Wellness Mama Podcast.” I’m Katie from wellnessmama.com and wellnesse.com. That’s wellness with an E on the top, my new line of private care merchandise. You should definitely test them out. This episode is all about one of many instruments I exploit to remain productive and arranged, and that I really feel is an especially useful software. And I additionally really feel like I’m not utilizing it in addition to I may very well be. It’s known as Notion, and it’s an app that can be utilized on cellphone or desktop. It integrates with each. And there appear to be infinite methods of utilizing it. I’m not at all an knowledgeable. So I’m right here with the methods knowledgeable, Sandra Halling, who’s a enterprise strategist and system specialists, who loves the technological facet. She’s been doing completely different types of this for 20 years. And now she brings her company expertise and her strategic pondering to assist small companies and entrepreneurs and people at implementing Notion and the best way to use that to create a framework that helps her private life. She focuses on group and she or he guides her shoppers by means of creating private {and professional} initiatives inside Notion. And we go into a few of these ways in which she does this as we speak. And it is rather a lot a visible factor. So we speak by means of as a lot as we will simply verbally right here, however she’s additionally gonna have a hyperlink within the present notes at wellnessmama.fm, that can take you to her website and to some extra visuals on the best way to really implement this in addition to she may be prepared to do a mixed course for mothers and households of the best way to use this particularly for these associated matters. So, once more, I discover this a really, very useful software however I’m not at all an knowledgeable at utilizing it and I needed to herald Sandra as we speak to go deeper on Notion. Sandra, welcome. Thanks for being right here.
Sandra: Hello. Thanks, Katie.
Katie: I’m so excited to talk with you and study from you as we speak. One of many matters that’s all the time developing once I ask the listeners what they need me to speak extra about is issues like group and productiveness. And an app that I’ve been most likely not even effectively utilizing, that has made my life a lot simpler is known as Notion. And I really feel like I’ve a ton of room for enchancment in how I exploit it. And I additionally really feel like that is an incredible software that isn’t tremendous well-known but, particularly amongst mothers. And I believe it may be completely unbelievable. So, to begin with, I do know that you’re an knowledgeable on this, which is why I used to be so completely satisfied to talk with you as we speak however stroll us by means of on a really broad stage what Notion is.
Sandra: Okay. So, Notion at its core is type of like a database. However I say that phrase, and generally individuals run for the hills. So simply know that, once you’re first diving into it, it’s actually like….. It’s a no code software, which suggests it’s very simple to arrange and configure. And it’s meant to do all the pieces beneath the solar from deal with notes, and duties, to collaboration. And one of many lovely issues about Notion is which you could cross-reference and sync information from all areas of your life to all different areas. In order that signifies that it’s very versatile in the case of designing your personal private dashboard that is smart to you and the way in which you need to run your loved ones, run your life, run what you are promoting, and so forth.
Katie: Yeah, I really feel like I’m solely starting to barely scratch the floor of understanding what number of makes use of it has. And I exploit it for enterprise and in addition for type of family administration and simply conserving observe of all the pieces I have to do in my very own life in addition to, like, long-term objective monitoring. I observe one thing known as OKRs or goals and key outcomes for each enterprise and private, and I hold all of these issues in Notion. However I do know earlier than we began recording, you talked about a very good level, which is that there’s a studying curve in the case of Notion. And I believe anytime we’re speaking, like, excessive stage group, it could appear overwhelming at first. Definitely once I first began utilizing Notion, I used to be a bit bit caught so far as the best way to create methods in it. And I ended up having to type of go define all of the issues I wanted to determine the best way to handle after which work from there versus simply attempting to begin creating in Notion. So if somebody’s new to it, how can they type of keep away from that overwhelm or what’s a very good place to begin simply to begin to study or begin to determine what you’re going to place in Notion to start with?
Sandra: Yeah, so one which I might throw on the market for a brand new consumer is nearly the entire notebooks and post-it notes and shoe containers that you’ve got round with varied tidbits of data, all the pieces from just like the whiteboard in your kitchen, the place you retain your menu, at the very least that’s what I do, you understand, uber nerd over right here. However the entire little locations the place you might have items of data that you simply don’t wanna lose observe of and begin occupied with these as elements of your life that you possibly can deliver collectively in a coherent complete. So in the event you may have form of a one-stop store for simply getting the heartbeat of issues, what would that seem like in a really perfect world? And even, like, breaking out the crayons and, like, drawing it out within the early days is a very good mind-set about it. As a result of Notion actually is so versatile. I believe it’s value taking the time to customise it for your self. After which the second factor is I additionally wouldn’t, like, overdo that as a result of Notion is best once you begin utilizing it as quickly as doable, versus attempting to construct the right system earlier than you dive in. And that’s the opposite factor I see individuals do loads is, like, leap in after which get so enthusiastic about how enjoyable it’s to design it as a result of it truly is enjoyable in the event you like taking part in round in these types of issues after which neglect that it’s meant to really make your life simpler and never form of be a distraction rabbit gap. So, it’s like discovering that completely satisfied medium between placing some thought into what you need it to seem like, what objective you need it to serve, what data do you would like you possibly can arrange higher or had higher observe of? So my company shoppers are often level to love their Google Drive is a large number or their stuff buried in Slack.
However my, like, private shoppers give it some thought extra for, like, you understand, monitoring their chore sheet, or funds, or perhaps well being methods, or simply various things on the private facet, even hobbies. It’s a terrific place to trace data on hobbies. So, it’s type of like getting the lay of the land of all of the classes after which occupied with how you’ll wanna deliver it collectively and being actually helpful with your self, such as you talked about. I like that you simply talked about the OKRs as a result of I observe these as effectively. I believe it’s a terrific place to have the ability to do that top stage planning in addition to the low stage everyday job planning. I believe that’s one thing to consider is also, like, once I construct my system, one of many issues I’ve carried out is I’ve time-based perspective. So I’ve, like, a day by day web page, a weekly web page. However then I even have form of matter perspective. So I’ve a enterprise homepage and a private homepage, after which additionally issues for hobbies and so forth. So it’s type of wanting on the classes. After which the third factor I’ll throw out, proper off the bat is, like, make it possible for in the event you fall down the plethora of data on YouTube, about Notion is that you simply go to Notion’s official channel and have a look at the movies. And I all the time counsel that even for my, like, superior customers, as a result of Notion, as an organization, after they put out movies, they focus extra on the options and the way it works, versus, like, software and templates. And there’s a number of data and examples out on YouTube about alternative ways of approaching it and, like, taking a look at completely different templates. However generally what will get misplaced in that’s, like, the actually easy core ideas of what’s a web page and what’s a desk? And so, like, what are the constructing blocks inside Notion that you simply use to configure your system?
Katie: Obtained it. Okay. So I’d like to undergo a bit bit of those type of perhaps get some recommendation step-by-step on issues which can be largely universally relevant to individuals listening. So, issues like all of us need to eat and most of us are planning meals for our households. And I’ve, you understand, instruments like Actual Plans that I exploit to do that however I additionally hold my meal plan in Notion, together with like a seasonal rotating meal plan. However you talked about a meal plan being a factor that’s nice to trace in Notion that I absolutely agree. So, stroll us by means of type of how somebody can begin doing that or what sort of, I suppose not template, what sort of system they need to arrange in there to have the ability to construct on?
Sandra: Yeah. So, when it comes to, like, meals and meal plans, specifically, one of many issues that I like to recommend to individuals typically is to consider their teams of data, form of like separate buckets. So, for instance, I’ve a recipe log the place I’ve completely different web sites. And I’ll go on the web site and seize the prettiest image of no matter it’s and put that on the high after which have the directions and any form of notes in there. However separate recipe log, I even have a totally separate desk for, like, my menu plan. So it’s like what day am I planning to eat what, proper? And from there, I hyperlink that. Really, it’s simply round with this yesterday, my Sunday afternoon on which was taking part in round with making this work even higher than it has earlier than. So, I’m type of tremendous excited to speak about it as we speak. And that’s that I linked it into what I name my day by day journal or my form of, like, my digital bullet journal, if you’ll. So, I’ve this day by day homepage that I am going to that has all these reflections, which I can get into in a second. However it has the hyperlink to journaling questions and my habits. Like, am I ingesting my water? Am I exercising? That good things after which it additionally has this show of my week and can really inform me what I plan to eat, or no matter I plan to make for dinner. And Notion has all these nice completely different show codecs, if you’ll. So, one of many issues I can do is definitely set this up in order that there’s a reminder that if we’re having stir fry for dinner, I ought to make the rice at lunchtime so I don’t neglect. You already know, it’s like that little stuff that may make our lives a lot simpler. And so determining the best way to arrange my gallery view in Notion. So it not solely shows a fairly image of the recipe to entice me, to begin dinner prep once I ought to, and it additionally tells me, like, “Hey, what can I do at lunchtime to make my night a bit smoother?”
In order that’s type of, like, structurally how I do a meal. I’ve the completely different tables, however I’ll say, like, to even type of zoom out or go to an much more larger stage, one of many issues I prefer to level out for Notion customers is that once you’re beginning out, what’s the distinction between a web page and a desk? And the way do you make tables relate to one another in a manner that makes issues simpler? Tables might be fairly particular in it’s objective. Like I used to be saying, I’ve a recipe desk, however that’s very separate from my meal plan desk. And that’s separate from my digital bullet journal and behavior monitoring desk. And by doing issues like that, it provides you a bit extra flexibility and management about what you show the place. And, you understand, Notion, it’s laborious to speak over audio, proper, how versatile it’s. And I’m certain you possibly can communicate to this too, the place you simply can management so many little nuances of what you see on varied screens and dashboards. It’s in contrast to another dwelling upkeep or, you understand, effort I’ve put into monitoring, like, simply all these issues that go into managing dwelling life, actually.
Katie: That’s superior. Yeah, I really feel like I exploit this in so many various methods as effectively. And like I mentioned, I don’t even assume I exploit it almost as effectively as lots of people, and particularly as you. You simply talked about a day by day homepage. And I like this concept type of like a management middle for all the pieces you’ll put into Notion. Are you able to stroll us by means of type of, like, the way you set that up and all of the issues that you simply carry on there, and the way you then go from there and to all the pieces else you observe?
Sandra: Yeah. Yeah. So I like that you simply requested that as a result of my day by day web page is definitely the place I begin my day, each day. And in reality, it’s so important to my course of that oftentimes… It’s additionally the place I finish my day if I’m being in keeping with my habits. And so, I’ve… One of many issues I love to do is do test ins at varied level through the day. And for me, a check-in is a set of questions that I prefer to ask myself to simply form of, like, actually test in to see how I’m feeling that day, what I need to accomplish that day, if there’s something I’m worrying about, actually only a pause from form of the, I hate to say grind as a result of that’s probably not what I imply. However you get what I’m saying. Like, that day in day trip the type of, we get into computerized pilot, a greater manner of claiming it. And having the check-ins for it’s a large manner of me zooming within the midst of the day and deciding how I need a few hours to go. So, my day by day web page is the place I’ve my test ins situated and I set these up as template button. So I’ve a preset record of questions which can be in a web page. And so all I’ve to do is click on the template button and it pops open a brand new web page with all my questions and I fill them out. After which I suppose all in a mirrored image database. So I can go and see that, like, you understand, on December 14th, I used to be speaking about steadiness. That’s the tag I’ve on it for this morning. After which from there on my day by day web page, I’ve a hyperlink to a separate desk, the one I used to be speaking about for form of, like, the day by day habits. And in that desk, I observe a complete slew of issues from, like, I’ve checkboxes for did I sweat? Did I stretch? Did I meditate? Did I do my morning pages? Did I do a thought mannequin? Did I take medication, nutritional vitamins, so on and so forth? So you possibly can go down the laundry record of the issues that you simply hold observe of for your self.
And, you understand, that is multi function desk however I show it in several sections. So, I don’t need to assume by means of it on a regular basis. I get by means of what I’m taking a look at a given second. And so, this day by day web page, it really has, like, I believe 4 sections to it. And so there’s a web page that’s worthy of my consideration at 5:00 within the morning once I’m, like, pre-coffee and simply attempting to get my mind in right here. However there’s additionally a piece of it that’s like noon test in and a piece of it that’s extra in the direction of the top of the day. And in every of those areas, I exploit my behavior tracker and I show completely different fields. So completely different properties. So, within the morning, the one factor I actually care about is, like, did I bear in mind to take…? You already know, did I bear in mind to have some water and what time did I get up? That type of factor. However later within the day, there’s fields for meals and monitoring signs. Like, I’ve continual sinus points so I observe all of the signs associated to that simply so I can see going again, “Oh, hey, you understand, this has really been bugging me for a few weeks now, not simply a few days. And simply provides me all this wealthy details about what’s occurring in my world from a everyday foundation. In order that’s type of how I leap off from the day by day web page.
Katie: I’m taking notes and mapping out all this stuff that I want so as to add to mine. So, speak a bit bit extra about templates as a result of I believe this is likely one of the large strengths of Notion. And I do know that there appears to be a capability to share templates as a result of I’ve used templates that different individuals have created. I haven’t gotten superb at creating my very own templates but however this has been on my record as a result of a variety of the issues I do are repetitive. And creating them as a template, like a day by day to do record or weekly planning for my workforce, issues like that, it appears actually, actually useful. So, stroll us by means of some great benefits of templates and the best way to type of work out the best way to use them.
Sandra: Yeah. So, the phrase template is utilized in a few alternative ways and form of the Notion sphere if you’ll. So, the excessive stage model of a template is, like, you understand, you possibly can construct out no matter you need your pages and tables to seem like, after which you possibly can really share that complete setup with different individuals. And so, once you say you’ve introduced templates into your system, that’s what you’re speaking about there. There’s really a solution to share it on the internet. And once you first go into Notion, you possibly can, like, click on the duplicate button on a shared template and it’ll switch that complete setup into your setup. So once I work with shoppers privately, that’s typically what we do is as soon as I get them arrange with the fundamentals, they usually’re rocking and rolling, they usually’ve obtained the technical abilities down, which solely takes, you understand, an hour or two to do, then we switch my template into their system. My template’s a bit little bit of a whopper, proper, as a result of I, you understand, do that day in and day trip. And that’s one solution to form of streamline issues is to search out an individual that you simply like Notion already, you understand, both through YouTube or no matter, after which both buy or search for a free template which you could switch in your system. It’s an enormous time saver as a result of these templates, in the event that they’re designed effectively will include all these tables that we’re speaking about pre-linked collectively. So that you don’t have to take a seat there and type of figuring all of the format. It additionally eases issues from the standpoint. I prefer to say that Notion doesn’t have an opinion about the way you handle what you are promoting or your life. And in order that’s each a very good factor and a foul factor. And it’s that them not having an opinion signifies that you must have an opinion. All of us have time for ourselves, how are we utilizing Notion, the place are we gonna begin our day? What’s gonna be crucial? After which, nevertheless it signifies that we get to resolve all that stuff, versus having to fall into regardless of the software program developer determined was one of the best ways to do one thing.
In order that’s templates at a excessive stage. However there’s additionally templates throughout the system which can be like for any given database, you possibly can have a template that might prefill data. So, like, finest instance for me is in a piece, I’ve a template specifically for my assembly log, if you’ll. And so, once I began new issues, say, I’ve a brand new gross sales plan or one thing like that, I even have prefilled questions that I like to ensure I ask. And so, once I begin a dialog of that nature, I can simply press a button on that desk, launches a brand new web page, with all of these questions preloaded… So I don’t even have to consider it. One other manner could be perhaps, like, you’re working a podcast, for instance, sure steps that you simply observe for the podcast, most likely on a weekly foundation, on a month-to-month foundation episode. And so, these form of checklists, if you’ll, may very well be their very own template in a system so that each time you begin a brand new podcast, you understand, content material calendar in your month or your quarter may open that up and also you’d have all new checkboxes to begin your move of data. And I’m utilizing checkboxes simply to make the instance. However your templates can get actually advanced with nested tables and ask associated data. So it’s actually… That is what makes Notion superior is that it’s so malleable to what the consumer really wants. It may be tremendous easy with simply a few checkboxes, all actually highly effective, and you possibly can use it to handle a workforce or run a enterprise. After which the third one, like, so many templates… So the third sort of template is definitely what we name a template button. And a template button is a totally completely different type of function in Notion, the place it simply exists on the web page and you may put something into it that you simply wanna replicate. And I like to make use of it as a result of it provides the title of the web page a prefilled label, so it pops in versus utilizing a template in a desk, which doesn’t try this. And you may type of sneak them in all through. And so, if there’s sure issues that you simply do on a repeated foundation, however perhaps aren’t so advanced, that it’s value placing them in their very own desk, then you possibly can, you understand, use these template buttons simply to form of streamline a course of or create a set of reminders or, like I mentioned, it’s good for making a set of checkboxes that perhaps you do each week or month or one thing.
Katie: Yeah, I’m pondering of so many new methods to make use of this for lots extra areas of my life actually. Does this…? Can notion combine immediately with different methods that folks may be utilizing? For example, you talked about Slack or Calendar apps or can it combine immediately with any of this stuff or is it standalone?
Sandra: So proper now it’s standalone. What I’ll say is that Notion has the power to embed a variety of apps. So what meaning is Notion is principally entry by means of the slack command. And also you press that, and also you’ll see an inventory of choices. And as you begin typing, it type of narrows all the way down to what you want. One of many issues you are able to do is you possibly can, like, embed a Google doc, or a picture, or a number of different issues. Simply final week, there was a launch Notion put out a discover that they’re within the midst of testing API, which is principally the decision that functions use to speak between one another. And so it’s gonna be in beta early subsequent 12 months. So, fingers crossed someday earlier than the top of subsequent 12 months, we’re gonna even have true integration with different functions. However proper now, standalone. And I’ll say, although, each time I’ve had that, like, once I used to do it or a few of these different apps which can be on the market to assist meet my life, I all the time discovered myself including extra to it than I may actually fairly course of. So there’s one thing about API that may ship us on a path of just about, like, over-integrating issues. So, in some methods, I’m type of grateful that Notion has been the standalone function as a result of it actually encourages curating what you’re placing in there, versus simply dumping all the pieces in there after which probably not with the ability to use it to execute on the issues that you simply wanna have the ability to do.
Katie: That’s superior. I do know one other type of unrelated factor that I exploit it for that I most likely may work out the best way to templatized higher, however that I like to recommend to folks that may be a brand new one, even for you as I exploit it to do one thing known as the Feynman approach. And I hold what would principally be like a journal, however the place I form of put all of my Feyman approach summaries proper now. And for anyone who’s not acquainted, I’ve talked about it a bit bit on the podcast earlier than however the Feyman approach is principally the concept that you might have discovered one thing when you might have the power to obviously and concisely clarify it to a baby. And fortuitously, I’ve a number of kids to really apply this and clarify to each day. However that is one thing I do each time I learn a brand new ebook or watch a TED speak or study a brand new idea by researching or actually delve into the research on a subject. And I discover it actually helps recall. However by committing this stuff to an precise written kind, I even have them in a single place for reference. So if I ever want to return and bear in mind one thing from a ebook or from an idea that I’ve discovered, it’s in a single place, and Notion provides me a terrific place to trace all of those. After which I may also, like, simply discover them to share them, if I have to with my workforce or no matter it could be. In order that’s a tip I like to offer mothers is it actually helps I discover improve recall and creativity. And in the event you’re not an enormous fan of writing, you need to use one other app known as Otter in your cellphone to talk into your cellphone and clarify, and it’ll transcribe it for you so then you possibly can put it in Notion. In order that’s type of like the way you mentioned you utilize it as a journal. That’s form of the way in which I form of day by day journal with it. And then you definately talked about you additionally use it to trace issues like targets, and I do too, however I’ve a sense you’re gonna have some ideas of higher ways in which I might be utilizing this to trace targets. So, do you construct templates for that or how do you map out after which hold observe of targets inside Notion?
Sandra: Yeah. So, monitoring of targets, I do OKR course of, which has been actually revolutionary for me personally, as a result of I all the time discovered SMART targets to be a bit too bossy, if you’ll. I’m a insurgent at coronary heart. And so, the second somebody tells me what to do, I are likely to do the other. So SMART objective by no means fairly labored for me as a result of I simply needed to insurgent towards it. However there’s one thing concerning the OKR methodology the place once you make the goals, the form of inspirational/aspirational issues that you simply’re attempting to do in what you are promoting or your life, the impression that you simply’re attempting to have, the main target, and also you set these up first, immediately having key outcomes, that are basically SMART targets, they’re well timed and particular, it feels much more approachable to me. And there are issues that I actually care about. So I’m in a position to, you understand, harness that energy. And so the way in which my system is configured is I’ve goals and outcomes each in separate tables. After which I additionally am an enormous fan of Charlie Gilkey, and the Productive Flourishing Academy. He has a ebook known as “Begin Ending,” which in the event you haven’t learn it or seen it, I extremely suggest it. It’s only a nice ebook for anyone actually. Like, I’ve seen professionals use it. I’ve seen creatives use it. I’ve seen dad and mom use it. It’s only a neat methodology for planning the best way to really end the issues that we begin, proper? So, the way in which I exploit the momentum planning technique in Notion is, I’ve another tables, one’s for initiatives, which I consider as type of just like the smaller steps to creating my key outcomes occur. After which I’ve a desk for actions or duties with a very micro stage. I have to, you understand, replace this factor or analysis this factor, no matter, the duties I have to care for. After which, to make it much more sturdy, I’ve another desk that I exploit, which I name areas, which is supposed to be form of wheel of life, if you’ll. So, any form of element to my life that I wanna have an intentional apply round and chew with, I arrange within the areas.
And so it’s form of like having a objective, nevertheless it takes off, like I mentioned, that point stress, in order that it’s simply, you understand, periodically, I am going in and I have a look at these issues that matter to me, and I can type of… You already know, a few of them have checkboxes, a few of them have tables, a few of them simply have quotes to remind me of issues. So it’s a really fluid course of by the point it will get to areas, nevertheless it permits me to separate out issues I care about that I wanna be intentional about from precise measurable spindles that I’ve in my enterprise. And all of those tables, very areas of my system. So all of them seem in my weekly overview. They seem on… A few of them are on the day by day web page or I even have two different dashboards that I exploit after the day by day web page on a everyday foundation. And so they’re known as the At this time Web page and The This Week Web page. And people principally permit me to have, like I mentioned, time-based perspective on what it’s I’m attempting to create.
Katie: I like that. I do know, like… I believe, OKR, I’m an enormous fan as effectively. I’ll put a few of my favourite sources associated to understanding that within the shownotes. I believe it’s relevant to everybody. I do know it’s typically utilized in enterprise, however I believe it’s really very related to folks as effectively, so far as planning long-term issues with our youngsters, actually for homeschooling dad and mom and having targets associated to that. And I additionally use it, like I mentioned, in my private life for private improvement issues or new abilities I’m attempting to study and conserving observe of all of these. I really feel like there’s simply so some ways to make use of that.
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And a few different ways in which I exploit Notion, normally, are for conserving observe of issues like Christmas reward concepts or reward concepts, normally, for all my children. I’ve issues like that as a result of they have a tendency to say issues all year long. After which somewhat than having to consider them, simply at the moment of the 12 months, additionally issues like home updates and initiatives issues I have to, like, work towards with that. And also you talked about additionally issues like well being metrics, which can also be related to lots of people listening. How can we use Notion to maintain observe of this stuff or how would you set that up?
Sandra: Yeah, so that is the place Notion can actually be an entire, like, life working system. And I say that… And, you understand, I’m all the time very… I work with a variety of freshmen and a variety of proper mind form of artistic thoughts map sort individuals. And so I’ve a delicate spot for them. And I do know that saying the phrase working system just isn’t all the time engaging to all people. However on the identical time, it’s only a manner of harnessing all that creativity and all these concepts you might have, and placing the data that we’re all monitoring in our heads down and to get, once more. That’s the important thing factor for me, whether or not we’re about education and even simply serving to your children hold observe of their schoolwork. And if they’re doing on-line class or their chore schedule or their after faculty occasions or one which I did just lately that I type of amused myself with is I arrange a complete desk that’s, like, I name them weekly quests. And it’s principally a gamified model of conserving observe of all of the issues that I don’t need to do each day however I have to do a couple of occasions every week. And principally the way in which the desk works is I’ve a few formulation inbuilt in order that so long as I vacuum as soon as every week, I get a thumbs up and a very good job. But when I vacuum twice every week, then it provides me a bonus. And of this previous gamified factor with formulation in there that simply amuses me to no finish. And it really encourages me to do this stuff that I would in any other case procrastinate or simply really feel like, “Oh, I’m too drained, it could wait till tomorrow.” After which you know the way that goes. Like, then it’s like three days later and you continue to haven’t vacuumed or no matter. So I prefer to put enjoyable issues in there. So it doesn’t all the time really feel like, oh, that is, like, another factor I’ve to do. The important thing factor for me with Notion, like, I really need to open it on the weekend, which I’ve by no means felt earlier than with another app. So, when it comes to, like, attending to a extra sensible reply to your query, one of many issues that I exploit or that I did at Notion this 12 months that was tremendous useful is we moved.
And so not solely did I’ve in there our lists of we have been on the lookout for in a home and, like, our best, you understand, options and what have been the necessities, individuals saved observe of the dialog, the realtor and, like, the entire homes we visited, type of like doing a professional con record on them. After which when it obtained time for the transfer, I did a complete stock. So I numbered all of the containers. After which once I packed a field, I simply made, like, a 3 phrase or a 3 sentence, only a actually fast… What am I attempting to say? Three phrase, there we go. Three phrase description of what went within the field. And so then I used to be in a position to after we moved, and it’s like, okay, we want no matter, the espresso grinder. I may really search the desk and discover it. And I knew, okay, that is field 89 or no matter it was. And I’ve to say, I believed I used to be over-engineering it and type of laughing at myself however I used to be having a lot enjoyable doing it, I did it anyway, and it completely paid off. Like, it was effectively definitely worth the effort I put in to have the ability to observe down, you understand, no matter pot and pan and my spices come that first week after the transfer. In order that’s form of, like, a sensible manner that you possibly can use an app like this to make your life simpler.
Katie: And one other factor we’ve talked about a bit bit, however I wanna make certain we are saying explicitly is that as a result of Notion is an app, it has each desktop and cellphone interfaces after which, after all, they sync. And in order that’s been actually useful to me as a result of, for example, like a few of the issues we’ve talked about, like meal planning, I can pull that up once I’m on the retailer. I can work on this stuff once I’m at an appointment with the youngsters or ready on the youngsters in an exercise as a result of my cellphone is just about all the time with me. And so it’s tremendous handy that manner however then it’s simple additionally to work on a desktop once you’re establishing a few of these larger initiatives and greater issues. I’m curious, I imply, clearly, you’re most likely an influence consumer of Notion, however how a lot are you interacting with Notion throughout any regular day?
Sandra: It’s a very good query. I’m out and in of it just about all day lengthy. I’ll say although, you understand, I nonetheless hold a paper journal once I’m on the cellphone, oftentimes, as a result of I’m displaying any person else the best way to use Notion. So we’re of their Notion setup. However I discover it useful for my mind to write down some issues down. After which I’ve a course of on the finish of the week, the place I type of undergo that record and make it possible for all the pieces’s in Notion the way in which I need it to be and that, you understand, I can hold observe of all of the little particulars and the nuances. So, I discover it to be a very fluid factor when it comes to, you understand, some days I’m in there, like, actually virtually all day. Now granted, I’m a Notion guide in order that is smart. However even on days once I’m engaged on different issues or serving to any person with a web site or different enterprise methods, I’m nonetheless out and in just about all day. And I might say the opposite two issues I’ll throw out, I like that you simply talked about the online, desktop, cellphone, and it really works on iPad very well. The truth is, they’ve made a variety of enhancements within the final couple of months on the way it works on iPad. And so, it’s like virtually so many enhancements that I type of wanna get a model new iPad simply so I can use it. It’s nice to have the ability to see it in all these completely different codecs. And there’s a new factor on the brand new iOS working… You already know, the most recent replace for iOS really has this factor known as widgets, which if individuals haven’t seen them or checked them out but, they’re actually cool. They principally put little mini apps, if you’ll, proper in your cellphone display. And the Notion widget is tremendous useful as a result of it could take, like, the primary few issues in your favorites. So, like, my favorites, the pages are day by day, fast seize, and my as we speak web page plus a couple of others. And I even have that widget proper on my cellphone in order that, you understand, if I’m within the kitchen, making a cup of tea between calls, and I consider one thing, I can pop it open and add it to my fast seize or no matter web page is smart actually simply and on the fly. So there’s a number of, like, you understand, you’re not locked into solely being in your browser, solely be in your desktop, you might have a number of choices and methods to entry it that may make life simpler.
Katie: Superior. And also you talked about at first, it is a troublesome factor to clarify solely, simply verbally as a result of it’s very a lot hands-on and visible as effectively. However I do know that is one thing that you simply do assist individuals with and you’ve got a web site associated to. So, for individuals who need to perceive extra and who need to begin integrating this, I’ll make it possible for hyperlink is within the present notes however type of stroll us by means of the way you assist individuals with that and the sources you might have.
Sandra: Yeah, so for several types of shoppers are completely different. I actually would like to have a bunch of mothers or dads simply households that wanna use it for homeschool or private stuff and all of that stuff. So what I’m gonna do is ready up a bit discussion board on my web site so if anyone’s fascinated about that type of factor, they will let me know after which we will determine it out within the new 12 months. And the opposite factor I’ll throw out, you could find Twitter at notionnerd and Instagram @notionnerd additionally. So one of the best ways to search out me is on sandrahalling com. And in the event you put in /wellnessmama, you land on a web page that can have some attention-grabbing data that’s, like, geared in the direction of serving to households. And I really would like to have a workshop subsequent 12 months, particularly with that as a goal. So I’ll put in a bit factor that if that’s of curiosity to anyone, they will join and let me know. Fundamental methods I work with individuals proper now could be by means of enterprise teaching and methods assist. And so, generally individuals are available in they usually need simply Notion and so we’ll deep dive over 30 days to get each step up and rocking and rolling. After which generally what individuals want is extra of, like, a type of slower burn, if you’ll. So we do a 3 to 6 months strategy to dig into the completely different methods they’ve of their enterprise and streamline issues, join all of the dots. Like, simply this morning, I used to be serving to a consumer join their Google calendar with their iCloud, with their Macbook, with their cellphone, like, all these little doodads go collectively. And so Notion is form of like one piece of the puzzle for me, nevertheless it spine of the methods I arrange. So, once more, you could find me on the internet at sandrahalling.com or on Twitter or Instagram at notionnerd.
Katie: Good. I’ll make certain these are linked right here. And one other query I like to ask on the finish. You talked about one already, but when there’s a ebook or a lot of books which have had a dramatic impression in your life, and if that’s the case what they’re and why?
Sandra: Yeah. So, I’ve to say that one of the vital impactful books for me is “Getting Issues Completed,” which is form of a traditional within the productiveness house. So, I discovered it most beneficial or most impactful within the sense that it taught me the best way to group, and categorize, and course of data in a manner that I hadn’t seen earlier than. And it got here out once I was fairly younger in my profession, I believe I used to be about 20 or so. So it simply hit me on the proper second to create what we’ve now, which is, you understand, database guide now for a few years. So, that was actually impactful. And clearly “Begin Ending” is type of a terrific software now. I believe “Getting Issues Completed” is form of a traditional, but in addition it was written 20 years in the past. So there’s some parts to it, the place our lives have simply modified a lot. And I believe “Begin Ending” does a greater job of addressing the entire completely different avenues that our lives take and the way a lot data comes at us and simply form of managing the combination there. After which different books that, like, actually matter to me on a private stage have been, like, some Ram Dass books, “Paths to God.” And Eckert Tolle’s “A New Earth” was additionally actually impactful for me as a result of it simply gave me a special perspective on issues. And I like mixing this stuff. So it’s each taking a look at my life holistically, provides me a want to wanna arrange it extra. In order that’s type of how these two issues tie collectively for me.
Katie: Nice suggestions. I’ll make certain these are linked within the present notes as effectively. I’m so glad I obtained to share extra about Notion as we speak as a result of like I mentioned, it’s a software that I discover actually invaluable. And I additionally one, I really feel like I’m not utilizing them as a lot as I may very well be. And I’m excited to have discovered extra from you as we speak. And hopefully shared a brand new useful resource with most of the individuals listening that may simplify their lives. However thanks in your time as we speak and for all of the work you’re doing.
Sandra: Thanks a lot, Katie. It was a variety of enjoyable.
Katie: And thanks guys, as all the time for listening, for sharing your most beneficial useful resource, your time with each of us as we speak. We’re so grateful that you simply did, and I hope that you’ll be a part of me once more on the following episode of “The Wellness Mama Podcast.”
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