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Katie: Hiya, and welcome to “The Wellness Mama Podcast.” I’m Katie from tmp.wellnessmama.com and wellnesse.com. That’s wellness with an E on the top, my new line of non-public care merchandise. Be sure you examine them out. This episode is all about one of many instruments I take advantage of to remain productive and arranged, and that I really feel is an especially beneficial instrument. And I additionally really feel like I’m not utilizing it in addition to I might be. It’s known as Notion, and it’s an app that can be utilized on telephone or desktop. It integrates with each. And there appear to be limitless methods of utilizing it. I’m not at all an knowledgeable. So I’m right here with the programs knowledgeable, Sandra Halling, who’s a enterprise strategist and system consultants, who loves the technological aspect. 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 way to use that to create a framework that helps her private life. She focuses on group and she or he guides her purchasers by means of creating private {and professional} tasks inside Notion. And we go into a few of these ways in which she does this right now. And it is vitally a lot a visible factor. So we discuss by means of as a lot as we are able to 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 web site and to some extra visuals on the way to really implement this in addition to she is likely to be keen to do a mixed course for mothers and households of the way to use this particularly for these associated subjects. So, once more, I discover this a really, very useful instrument however I’m not at all an knowledgeable at utilizing it and I needed to usher in Sandra right now to go deeper on Notion. Sandra, welcome. Thanks for being right here.
Sandra: Hello. Thanks, Katie.
Katie: I’m so excited to speak with you and be taught from you right now. One of many subjects that’s all the time arising 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 in all probability not even effectively utilizing, that has made my life a lot simpler is named Notion. And I really feel like I’ve a ton of room for enchancment in how I take advantage of it. And I additionally really feel like that is an incredible instrument that’s not tremendous well-known but, particularly amongst mothers. And I feel it may be completely unimaginable. So, to start out with, I do know that you’re an knowledgeable on this, which is why I used to be so glad to speak with you right now however stroll us by means of on a really broad degree what Notion is.
Sandra: Okay. So, Notion at its core is type of like a database. However I say that phrase, and generally folks run for the hills. So simply know that, while you’re first diving into it, it’s actually like….. It’s a no code software, which implies it’s very simple to arrange and configure. And it’s meant to do the whole lot underneath the solar from deal with notes, and duties, to collaboration. And one of many stunning issues about Notion is which you could cross-reference and sync knowledge from all areas of your life to all different areas. In order that signifies that it’s very versatile with regards to designing your individual private dashboard that is smart to you and the way in which you wish to run your loved ones, run your life, run your online business, 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 take advantage of it for enterprise and in addition for type of family administration and simply conserving observe of the whole lot I must do in my very own life in addition to, like, long-term purpose monitoring. I observe one thing known as OKRs or aims and key outcomes for each enterprise and private, and I maintain all of these issues in Notion. However I do know earlier than we began recording, you talked about a extremely good level, which is that there’s a studying curve with regards to Notion. And I feel anytime we’re speaking, like, excessive degree group, it might appear overwhelming at first. Actually once I first began utilizing Notion, I used to be somewhat bit caught so far as the way to create programs in it. And I ended up having to type of go define all of the issues I wanted to determine the way to handle after which work from there versus simply attempting to start out creating in Notion. So if somebody’s new to it, how can they type of keep away from that overwhelm or what’s a superb place to begin simply to begin to be taught or begin to determine what you’re going to place in Notion to start with?
Sandra: Yeah, so one which I’d throw on the market for a brand new person is nearly all the notebooks and post-it notes and shoe containers that you’ve round with varied tidbits of data, the whole lot from just like the whiteboard in your kitchen, the place you retain your menu, no less than that’s what I do, you understand, uber nerd over right here. However all the little locations the place you could have items of data that you simply don’t wanna lose observe of and begin fascinated about these as components of your life that you would deliver collectively in a coherent complete. So in the event you may have kind of a one-stop store for simply getting the heart beat 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 extremely good mind-set about it. As a result of Notion actually is so versatile. I feel it’s price 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 while you begin utilizing it as quickly as doable, versus attempting to construct the proper system earlier than you dive in. And that’s the opposite factor I see folks do lots is, like, bounce 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 enjoying round in these types of issues after which neglect that it’s meant to really make your life simpler and never kind of be a distraction rabbit gap. So, it’s like discovering that glad medium between placing some thought into what you need it to seem like, what function you need it to serve, what info do you would like you would set up higher or had higher observe of? So my company purchasers are often level to love their Google Drive is a large number or their stuff buried in Slack.
However my, like, private purchasers give it some thought extra for, like, you understand, monitoring their chore sheet, or funds, or perhaps well being programs, or simply various things on the private aspect, even hobbies. It’s an awesome place to trace info on hobbies. So, it’s type of like getting the lay of the land of all of the classes after which fascinated about how you’d 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 properly. I feel it’s an awesome place to have the ability to do that prime degree planning in addition to the low degree day after day process planning. I feel that’s one thing to consider is also, like, once I construct my system, one of many issues I’ve finished is I’ve time-based perspective. So I’ve, like, a every day web page, a weekly web page. However then I even have kind 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 trying 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 take 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, once they put out movies, they focus extra on the options and the way it works, versus, like, software and templates. And there’s plenty of info and examples out on YouTube about other 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: Bought it. Okay. So I’d like to undergo somewhat bit of those type of perhaps get some recommendation step-by-step on issues which are largely universally relevant to folks listening. So, issues like all of us must eat and most of us are planning meals for our households. And I’ve, you understand, instruments like Actual Plans that I take advantage of to do that however I additionally maintain 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, by way of, like, meals and meal plans, particularly, one of many issues that I like to recommend to folks usually is to consider their teams of data, kind 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 kind of notes in there. However separate recipe log, I even have a very 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 enjoying round with making this work even higher than it has earlier than. So, I’m type of tremendous excited to speak about it right now. And that’s that I linked it into what I name my every day journal or my kind of, like, my digital bullet journal, if you’ll. So, I’ve this every day homepage that I’m 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 way to arrange my gallery view in Notion. So it not solely shows a fairly image of the recipe to entice me, to start out dinner prep once I ought to, and it additionally tells me, like, “Hey, what can I do at lunchtime to make my night somewhat 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 degree, one of many issues I prefer to level out for Notion customers is that while 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 method that makes issues simpler? Tables could be fairly particular in it’s function. 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 offers you somewhat extra flexibility and management about what you show the place. And, you understand, Notion, it’s exhausting to speak over audio, proper, how versatile it’s. And I’m certain you would converse to this too, the place you simply can management so many little nuances of what you see on varied screens and dashboards. It’s not like every other house upkeep or, you understand, effort I’ve put into monitoring, like, simply all these issues that go into managing house life, actually.
Katie: That’s superior. Yeah, I really feel like I take advantage of this in so many alternative methods as properly. And like I stated, I don’t even assume I take advantage of it almost as effectively as lots of people, and particularly as you. You simply talked about a every day homepage. And I like this concept type of like a management middle for the whole lot you’d 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 the whole lot else you observe?
Sandra: Yeah. Yeah. So I like that you simply requested that as a result of my every day web page is definitely the place I begin my day, every single day. And actually, it’s so important to my course of that oftentimes… It’s additionally the place I finish my day if I’m being in line with my habits. And so, I’ve… One of many issues I love to do is do examine ins at varied level in the course of the day. And for me, a check-in is a set of questions that I prefer to ask myself to only kind of, like, actually examine in to see how I’m feeling that day, what I wish to accomplish that day, if there’s something I’m worrying about, actually only a pause from kind of the, I hate to say grind as a result of that’s not likely what I imply. However you get what I’m saying. Like, that day in time out the type of, we get into automated pilot, a greater method of claiming it. And having the check-ins for it’s a enormous method of me zooming within the midst of the day and deciding how I need a few hours to go. So, my every day web page is the place I’ve my examine ins positioned and I set these up as template button. So I’ve a preset checklist of questions which are 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 stability. That’s the tag I’ve on it for this morning. After which from there on my every day web page, I’ve a hyperlink to a separate desk, the one I used to be speaking about for kind of, like, the every 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 drugs, nutritional vitamins, so on and so forth? So you would go down the laundry checklist of the issues that you simply maintain observe of for your self.
And, you understand, that is multi functional desk however I show it in several sections. So, I don’t must assume by means of it suddenly on a regular basis. I get by means of what I’m taking a look at a given second. And so, this every day web page, it really has, like, I feel 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 examine 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 take advantage of 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 power 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 offers me all this wealthy details about what’s happening in my world from a day after day foundation. In order that’s type of how I bounce off from the every day web page.
Katie: I’m taking notes and mapping out all this stuff that I would like so as to add to mine. So, discuss somewhat bit extra about templates as a result of I feel this is without doubt one of the enormous 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 folks have created. I haven’t gotten excellent at creating my very own templates but however this has been on my checklist as a result of plenty of the issues I do are repetitive. And creating them as a template, like a every day to do checklist or weekly planning for my workforce, issues like that, it appears actually, actually useful. So, stroll us by means of the benefits of templates and the way to type of determine the way to use them.
Sandra: Yeah. So, the phrase template is utilized in a few other ways and kind of the Notion sphere if you’ll. So, the excessive degree model of a template is, like, you understand, you may construct out no matter you need your pages and tables to seem like, after which you may really share that complete setup with different folks. And so, while you say you’ve introduced templates into your system, that’s what you’re speaking about there. There’s really a approach to share it on the internet. And while you first go into Notion, you may, 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 purchasers privately, that’s usually 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 expertise down, which solely takes, you understand, an hour or two to do, then we switch my template into their system. My template’s somewhat little bit of a whopper, proper, as a result of I, you understand, do that day in and time out. And that’s one approach to kind of streamline issues is to search out an individual that you simply like Notion already, you understand, both by way of 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 properly will include all these tables that we’re speaking about pre-linked collectively. So that you don’t have to sit down there and type of figuring all of the structure. It additionally eases issues from the standpoint. I prefer to say that Notion doesn’t have an opinion about the way you handle your online business or your life. And in order that’s each a superb factor and a foul factor. And it’s that them not having an opinion signifies that it’s important to 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, but it surely signifies that we get to determine 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 degree. However there’s additionally templates inside the system which are like for any given database, you may have a template that might prefill info. So, like, greatest instance for me is in a piece, I’ve a template particularly 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 verify 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 method can be perhaps, like, you’re operating a podcast, for instance, sure steps that you simply comply with for the podcast, in all probability on a weekly foundation, on a month-to-month foundation episode. And so, these kind of checklists, if you’ll, might be their very own template in a system so that each time you begin a brand new podcast, you understand, content material calendar to your month or your quarter may open that up and also you’d have all new checkboxes to start out your stream of data. And I’m utilizing checkboxes simply to make the instance. However your templates can get actually complicated with nested tables and ask associated info. So it’s actually… That is what makes Notion superior is that it’s so malleable to what the person really wants. It may be tremendous easy with simply a few checkboxes, all actually highly effective, and you would 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 very completely different type of characteristic 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 offers 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’ll 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 complicated, that it’s price placing them in their very own desk, then you may, you understand, use these template buttons simply to kind of streamline a course of or create a set of reminders or, like I stated, 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 instantly with different programs that individuals is likely to be utilizing? As an illustration, you talked about Slack or Calendar apps or can it combine instantly 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 flexibility to embed plenty 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 may, like, embed a Google doc, or a picture, or plenty 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 purposes use to speak between one another. And so it’s gonna be in beta early subsequent yr. So, fingers crossed someday earlier than the top of subsequent yr, we’re gonna even have true integration with different purposes. However proper now, standalone. And I’ll say, although, every time I’ve had that, like, once I used to do it or a few of these different apps which are 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 virtually, like, over-integrating issues. So, in some methods, I’m type of grateful that Notion has been the standalone characteristic as a result of it actually encourages curating what you’re placing in there, versus simply dumping the whole lot in there after which not likely with the ability to use it to execute on the issues that you simply wanna be capable of do.
Katie: That’s superior. I do know one other type of unrelated factor that I take advantage of it for that I in all probability may determine the way to templatized higher, however that I like to recommend to folks that is likely to be a brand new one, even for you as I take advantage of it to do one thing known as the Feynman approach. And I maintain what would principally be like a journal, however the place I kind of put all of my Feyman approach summaries proper now. And for anyone who’s not acquainted, I’ve talked about it somewhat bit on the podcast earlier than however the Feyman approach is principally the concept that you could have realized one thing when you could have the flexibility to obviously and concisely clarify it to a toddler. And fortuitously, I’ve plenty of youngsters to really observe this and clarify to every single day. However that is one thing I do every time I learn a brand new ebook or watch a TED discuss or be taught 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 realized, it’s in a single place, and Notion offers me an awesome place to trace all of those. After which I may also, like, simply discover them to share them, if I must with my workforce or no matter it might be. In order that’s a tip I like to present mothers is it actually helps I discover improve recall and creativity. And in the event you’re not a giant fan of writing, you should utilize one other app known as Otter in your telephone to talk into your telephone and clarify, and it’ll transcribe it for you so then you may put it in Notion. In order that’s type of like the way you stated you utilize it as a journal. That’s kind of the way in which I kind of every day journal with it. And then you definitely talked about you additionally use it to trace issues like objectives, and I do too, however I’ve a sense you’re gonna have some ideas of higher ways in which I could be utilizing this to trace objectives. So, do you construct templates for that or how do you map out after which maintain observe of objectives inside Notion?
Sandra: Yeah. So, monitoring of objectives, I do OKR course of, which has been actually revolutionary for me personally, as a result of I all the time discovered SMART objectives to be somewhat too bossy, if you’ll. I’m a insurgent at coronary heart. And so, the second somebody tells me what to do, I are inclined to do the alternative. So SMART purpose 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 while you make the aims, the kind of inspirational/aspirational issues that you simply’re attempting to do in your online business or your life, the affect that you simply’re attempting to have, the main focus, and also you set these up first, abruptly having key outcomes, that are basically SMART objectives, 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 aims and outcomes each in separate tables. After which I additionally am a giant 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 advocate 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 way to really end the issues that we begin, proper? So, the way in which I take advantage of the momentum planning technique in Notion is, I’ve another tables, one’s for tasks, 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 extremely micro degree. I must, you understand, replace this factor or analysis this factor, no matter, the duties I must deal with. After which, to make it much more strong, I’ve another desk that I take advantage of, which I name areas, which is supposed to be kind of wheel of life, if you’ll. So, any kind of part to my life that I wanna have an intentional observe round and chew with, I arrange within the areas.
And so it’s kind of like having a purpose, but it surely takes off, like I stated, that point strain, in order that it’s simply, you understand, periodically, I’m going in and I take 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, but it surely 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 evaluation. They seem on… A few of them are on the every day web page or I even have two different dashboards that I take advantage of after the every day web page on a day after day foundation. They usually’re known as the In the present day Web page and The This Week Web page. And people principally permit me to have, like I stated, time-based perspective on what it’s I’m attempting to create.
Katie: I like that. I do know, like… I feel, OKR, I’m an enormous fan as properly. I’ll put a few of my favourite assets associated to understanding that within the shownotes. I feel it’s relevant to everybody. I do know it’s usually utilized in enterprise, however I feel it’s really very related to oldsters as properly, so far as planning long-term issues with our youngsters, actually for homeschooling dad and mom and having objectives associated to that. And I additionally use it, like I stated, in my private life for private growth issues or new expertise I’m attempting to be taught 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 take advantage of Notion, typically, are for conserving observe of issues like Christmas present concepts or present concepts, typically, 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 relatively than having to think about them, simply at the moment of the yr, additionally issues like home updates and tasks issues I must, 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 a whole, like, life working system. And I say that… And, you understand, I’m all the time very… I work with plenty of newcomers and plenty of proper mind kind of artistic thoughts map sort folks. And so I’ve a mushy spot for them. And I do know that saying the phrase working system will not be all the time engaging to everyone. However on the identical time, it’s only a method of harnessing all that creativity and all these concepts you could 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 maintain observe of their schoolwork. And if they’re doing on-line class or their chore schedule or their after college occasions or one which I did 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 must do every single day however I must do just a few instances per 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 per week, I get a thumbs up and a superb job. But when I vacuum twice per week, then it offers 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 might wait till tomorrow.” After which you understand how 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 wish to open it on the weekend, which I’ve by no means felt earlier than with every other app. So, by way of, like, attending to a extra sensible reply to your query, one of many issues that I take advantage of or that I did at Notion this yr that was tremendous useful is we moved.
And so not solely did I’ve in there our lists of we have been searching for in a home and, like, our supreme, you understand, options and what have been the necessities, folks stored observe of the dialog, the realtor and, like, all the homes we visited, type of like doing a professional con checklist 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 assumed 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 properly well 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 kind of, like, a sensible method that you would use an app like this to make your life simpler.
Katie: And one other factor we’ve talked about somewhat bit, however I wanna be certain we are saying explicitly is that as a result of Notion is an app, it has each desktop and telephone interfaces after which, after all, they sync. And in order that’s been actually useful to me as a result of, as an example, like among 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 children or ready on the children in an exercise as a result of my telephone is just about all the time with me. And so it’s tremendous handy that method however then it’s simple additionally to work on a desktop while you’re establishing a few of these larger tasks and greater issues. I’m curious, I imply, clearly, you’re in all probability an influence person of Notion, however how a lot are you interacting with Notion throughout any regular day?
Sandra: It’s a superb query. I’m out and in of it just about all day lengthy. I’ll say although, you understand, I nonetheless maintain a paper journal once I’m on the telephone, oftentimes, as a result of I’m exhibiting someone else the way to use Notion. So we’re of their Notion setup. However I discover it useful for my mind to put in writing some issues down. After which I’ve a course of on the finish of the week, the place I type of undergo that checklist and make it possible for the whole lot’s in Notion the way in which I need it to be and that, you understand, I can maintain observe of all of the little particulars and the nuances. So, I discover it to be a extremely fluid factor by way of, you understand, some days I’m in there, like, actually nearly all day. Now granted, I’m a Notion marketing consultant in order that is smart. However even on days once I’m engaged on different issues or serving to someone with a web site or different enterprise programs, I’m nonetheless out and in just about all day. And I’d say the opposite two issues I’ll throw out, I like that you simply talked about the online, desktop, telephone, and it really works on iPad rather well. In actual fact, they’ve made plenty of enhancements within the final couple of months on the way it works on iPad. And so, it’s like nearly 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 folks 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 telephone display. And the Notion widget is tremendous useful as a result of it might take, like, the primary few issues in your favorites. So, like, my favorites, the pages are every day, fast seize, and my right now web page plus just a few others. And I even have that widget proper on my telephone 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 plenty of, like, you understand, you’re not locked into solely being in your browser, solely be in your desktop, you could have plenty of choices and methods to entry it that may make life simpler.
Katie: Superior. And also you talked about at first, this can be a troublesome factor to clarify solely, simply verbally as a result of it’s very a lot hands-on and visible as properly. However I do know that is one thing that you simply do assist folks with and you’ve got a web site associated to. So, for individuals who wish to perceive extra and who wish 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 folks with that and the assets you could have.
Sandra: Yeah, so for several types of purchasers 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 about up somewhat discussion board on my web site so if anyone’s excited by that type of factor, they’ll let me know after which we are able to determine it out within the new yr. And the opposite factor I’ll throw out, you’ll 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 fascinating info that’s, like, geared in the direction of serving to households. And I really would like to have a workshop subsequent yr, particularly with that as a goal. So I’ll put in somewhat factor that if that’s of curiosity to anyone, they’ll enroll and let me know. Primary methods I work with folks proper now’s by means of enterprise teaching and programs help. And so, generally folks are available 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 folks 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 programs 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 telephone, like, all these little doodads go collectively. And so Notion is kind of like one piece of the puzzle for me, but it surely spine of the programs I arrange. So, once more, you’ll find me on the internet at sandrahalling.com or on Twitter or Instagram at notionnerd.
Katie: Good. I’ll be 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 affect 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 Performed,” which is kind of a basic within the productiveness house. So, I discovered it most dear or most impactful within the sense that it taught me the way to group, and categorize, and course of info in a method that I hadn’t seen earlier than. And it got here out once I was fairly younger in my profession, I feel 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 marketing consultant now for a few years. So, that was actually impactful. And clearly “Begin Ending” is type of an awesome instrument now. I feel “Getting Issues Performed” is kind of a basic, but additionally it was written 20 years in the past. So there’s some components to it, the place our lives have simply modified a lot. And I feel “Begin Ending” does a greater job of addressing all the completely different avenues that our lives take and the way a lot info comes at us and simply kind of managing the combination there. After which different books that, like, actually matter to me on a private degree 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, offers me a want to wanna set up it extra. In order that’s type of how these two issues tie collectively for me.
Katie: Nice suggestions. I’ll be certain these are linked within the present notes as properly. I’m so glad I obtained to share extra about Notion right now as a result of like I stated, it’s a instrument that I discover actually invaluable. And I additionally one, I really feel like I’m not utilizing them as a lot as I might be. And I’m excited to have realized extra from you right now. And hopefully shared a brand new useful resource with lots of the folks listening that may simplify their lives. However thanks to your time right now and for all of the work you’re doing.
Sandra: Thanks a lot, Katie. It was plenty of enjoyable.
Katie: And thanks guys, as all the time for listening, for sharing your most dear useful resource, your time with each of us right now. We’re so grateful that you simply did, and I hope that you’ll be part of me once more on the following episode of “The Wellness Mama Podcast.”
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