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Katie: Howdy, and welcome to “The Wellness Mama Podcast.” I’m Katie from wellnessmama.com and wellnesse.com. That’s wellness with an E on the tip, my new line of private care merchandise. Make sure you verify 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 a particularly priceless device. 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 countless methods of utilizing it. I’m in no way an professional. So I’m right here with the methods professional, Sandra Halling, who’s a enterprise strategist and system consultants, 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 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 creating private {and professional} tasks inside Notion. And we go into a few of these ways in which she does this at this time. And it is vitally a lot a visible factor. So we speak by 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 website and to some extra visuals on the way to really implement this in addition to she could 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 device however I’m in no way an professional at utilizing it and I wished to usher in Sandra at this time 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 at this time. One of many subjects that’s at all times arising after 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 a tremendous device that isn’t 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 professional on this, which is why I used to be so blissful to talk with you at this time however stroll us by 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 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 implies it’s very straightforward to arrange and configure. And it’s meant to do all the pieces below the solar from deal with notes, and duties, to collaboration. And one of many lovely issues about Notion is that you would be able to cross-reference and sync information from all areas of your life to all different areas. In order that implies 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 wish to run your loved ones, run your life, run your enterprise, 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 holding monitor of all the pieces I have to do in my very own life in addition to, like, long-term objective monitoring. I monitor one thing known as OKRs or aims and key outcomes for each enterprise and private, and I preserve 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 in the case of Notion. And I feel anytime we’re speaking, like, excessive degree group, it may possibly appear overwhelming at first. Definitely after I first began utilizing Notion, I used to be a bit of bit caught so far as the 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 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 an excellent start line 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’d throw on the market for a brand new person is nearly the entire notebooks and post-it notes and shoe containers that you’ve round with varied tidbits of knowledge, 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 already know, uber nerd over right here. However the entire little locations the place you could have items of knowledge that you simply don’t wanna lose monitor of and begin desirous about these as components of your life that you possibly can convey collectively in a coherent entire. So when you may have type of a one-stop store for simply getting the heart beat of issues, what would that appear to be in a great 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 once you begin utilizing it as quickly as attainable, 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 when you like taking part in round in these types of issues after which overlook that it’s meant to really make your life simpler and never type of be a distraction rabbit gap. So, it’s like discovering that blissful medium between placing some thought into what you need it to appear to be, what goal you need it to serve, what info do you want you possibly can arrange higher or had higher monitor of? So my company purchasers are normally level to love their Google Drive is a multitude or their stuff buried in Slack.
However my, like, private purchasers give it some thought extra for, like, you already know, monitoring their chore sheet, or funds, or possibly well being methods, or simply various things on the non-public facet, even hobbies. It’s an important 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 desirous about how you’d wanna convey it collectively and being actually helpful with your self, such as you talked about. I really like that you simply talked about the OKRs as a result of I monitor these as effectively. I feel it’s an important place to have the ability to do that top degree planning in addition to the low degree each day activity planning. I feel that’s one thing to consider is also, like, after I construct my system, one of many issues I’ve executed 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 type of subject 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, guarantee that when you fall down the plethora of knowledge on YouTube, about Notion is that you simply go to Notion’s official channel and take a look at the movies. And I at all times 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: Acquired it. Okay. So I’d like to undergo a bit of bit of those type of possibly get some recommendation step-by-step on issues which are 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 already know, instruments like Actual Plans that I take advantage of to do that however I additionally preserve 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 totally agree. So, stroll us by type of how somebody can begin doing that or what sort of, I assume 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 individuals usually is to consider their teams of knowledge, type 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 type 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. Truly, 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 at this time. And that’s that I linked it into what I name my day by day journal or my type 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. But it surely has the hyperlink to journaling questions and my habits. Like, am I consuming 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 overlook. 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 reasonably image of the recipe to entice me, to start out dinner prep after I ought to, and it additionally tells me, like, “Hey, what can I do at lunchtime to make my night a bit of 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 greater degree, 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 means that makes issues simpler? Tables could be fairly particular in it’s goal. 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 of extra flexibility and management about what you show the place. And, you already know, Notion, it’s arduous to speak over audio, proper, how versatile it’s. And I’m certain you possibly can 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 some other dwelling upkeep or, you already know, 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 take advantage of this in so many various methods as effectively. And like I stated, I don’t even assume I take advantage of it practically as effectively as lots of people, and particularly as you. You simply talked about a day by day homepage. And I really like this concept type of like a management heart for all the pieces you’d put into Notion. Are you able to stroll us by 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 monitor?
Sandra: Yeah. Yeah. So I really like that you simply requested that as a result of my day by day web page is definitely the place I begin my day, on daily basis. And in reality, it’s so essential 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 verify 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 simply type of, like, actually verify 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 type 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 means of claiming it. And having the check-ins for it’s a enormous means of me zooming within the midst of the day and deciding how I would like a few hours to go. So, my day by day web page is the place I’ve my verify 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 already know, 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 type of, like, the day by day habits. And in that desk, I monitor an entire 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 checklist of the issues that you simply preserve monitor of for your self.
And, you already know, that is multi functional desk however I show it in numerous sections. So, I don’t need to assume by it unexpectedly on a regular basis. I get by what I’m taking a look at a given second. And so, this day by 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 after I’m, like, pre-coffee and simply attempting to get my mind in right here. However there’s additionally a bit of it that’s like noon verify in and a bit of it that’s extra in direction of the tip 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 continual sinus points so I monitor all of the signs associated to that simply so I can see going again, “Oh, hey, you already know, 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 each day 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 these items that I would like so as to add to mine. So, speak a bit of bit extra about templates as a result of I feel this is likely 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 individuals 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 quite a lot of the issues I do are repetitive. And creating them as a template, like a day by day to do checklist or weekly planning for my crew, issues like that, it appears actually, actually useful. So, stroll us by some great benefits of templates and the way to type of work out the way to use them.
Sandra: Yeah. So, the phrase template is utilized in a few other ways and type of the Notion sphere if you’ll. So, the excessive degree model of a template is, like, you already know, you may construct out no matter you need your pages and tables to appear to be, after which you may really share that entire 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 strategy to share it on the net. And once you first go into Notion, you may, like, click on the duplicate button on a shared template and it’ll switch that entire setup into your setup. So after 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 bought the technical abilities down, which solely takes, you already know, an hour or two to do, then we switch my template into their system. My template’s a bit of little bit of a whopper, proper, as a result of I, you already know, do that day in and day trip. And that’s one strategy to type of streamline issues is to search out an individual that you simply like Notion already, you already know, both through YouTube or no matter, after which both buy or search for a free template that you would be able to 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 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 enterprise or your life. And in order that’s each an excellent factor and a nasty factor. And it’s that them not having an opinion implies 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 a very powerful? After which, however it implies 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 throughout the system which are like for any given database, you may have a template that might prefill info. So, like, finest instance for me is in a piece, I’ve a template particularly for my assembly log, if you’ll. And so, after 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, after 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 means can be possibly, 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 type 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 already know, 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 move of knowledge. 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 possibly can use it to handle a crew or run a enterprise. After which the third one, like, so many templates… So the third kind 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’ll 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 do 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 possibly aren’t so complicated, that it’s price placing them in their very own desk, then you may, you already know, use these template buttons simply to type 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 possibly 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 definitely. Does this…? Can notion combine straight with different methods that folks could be utilizing? As an example, you talked about Slack or Calendar apps or can it combine straight with any of these items or is it standalone?
Sandra: So proper now it’s standalone. What I’ll say is that Notion has the power to embed quite a lot of apps. So what which means is Notion is principally entry by 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 tip of subsequent yr, we’re gonna even have true integration with different purposes. However proper now, standalone. And I’ll say, although, each time I’ve had that, like, after I used to do it or a few of these different apps which are on the market to assist meet my life, I at all times 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 all the pieces in there after which probably not with the ability to use it to execute on the issues that you simply wanna be capable to 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 work out the way to templatized higher, however that I like to recommend to people who could be a brand new one, even for you as I take advantage of it to do one thing known as the Feynman method. And I preserve what would principally be like a journal, however the place I type of put all of my Feyman method summaries proper now. And for anyone who’s not acquainted, I’ve talked about it a bit of bit on the podcast earlier than however the Feyman method is principally the concept you could have realized one thing when you could have the power to obviously and concisely clarify it to a baby. And by chance, I’ve plenty of youngsters to really observe this and clarify to on daily basis. However that is one thing I do each time I learn a brand new e-book 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 these items to an precise written type, 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 e-book or from an idea that I’ve realized, it’s in a single place, and Notion provides me an important place to trace all of those. After which I may, like, simply discover them to share them, if I have to with my crew or no matter it could be. In order that’s a tip I really like to offer mothers is it actually helps I discover improve recall and creativity. And when you’re not a giant 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 may put it in Notion. In order that’s type of like the way you stated you employ it as a journal. That’s type of the way in which I type of day by day journal with it. And then you definitely 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 suggestions of higher ways in which I could be utilizing this to trace targets. So, do you construct templates for that or how do you map out after which preserve monitor 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 at all times discovered SMART targets to be a bit of 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 alternative. So SMART objective by no means fairly labored for me as a result of I simply wished to insurgent in opposition to it. However there’s one thing concerning the OKR methodology the place once you make the aims, the type of inspirational/aspirational issues that you simply’re attempting to do in your enterprise or your life, the impression that you simply’re attempting to have, the main focus, 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 capable of, you already know, 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 e-book known as “Begin Ending,” which when you haven’t learn it or seen it, I extremely suggest it. It’s only a nice e-book 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 methodology 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 have to, you already know, replace this factor or analysis this factor, no matter, the duties I have to handle. After which, to make it much more strong, I’ve yet another desk that I take advantage of, which I name areas, which is supposed to be type of wheel of life, if you’ll. So, any type of element to my life that I wanna have an intentional observe round and chew with, I arrange within the areas.
And so it’s type of like having a objective, however it takes off, like I stated, that point strain, in order that it’s simply, you already know, periodically, I am 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, however 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 take advantage of after the day by day web page on a each day foundation. They usually’re known as the Immediately 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 really like that. I do know, like… I feel, 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 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 effectively, so far as planning long-term issues with our youngsters, definitely for homeschooling dad and mom and having targets associated to that. And I additionally use it, like I stated, in my private life for private improvement issues or new abilities I’m attempting to study and holding monitor 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, generally, are for holding monitor of issues like Christmas reward concepts or reward concepts, generally, for all my children. I’ve issues like that as a result of they have an inclination to say issues all year long. After which reasonably than having to think about them, simply presently of the yr, additionally issues like home updates and tasks issues I have to, like, work towards with that. And also you talked about additionally issues like well being metrics, which can be related to lots of people listening. How can we use Notion to maintain monitor of these items 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 already know, I’m at all times very… I work with quite a lot of novices and quite a lot of proper mind type of inventive thoughts map kind individuals. And so I’ve a smooth spot for them. And I do know that saying the phrase working system will not be at all times attractive to everyone. However on the similar time, it’s only a means of harnessing all that creativity and all these concepts you could have, and placing the knowledge 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 preserve monitor 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 not too long ago that I type of amused myself with is I arrange an entire desk that’s, like, I name them weekly quests. And it’s principally a gamified model of holding monitor of all of the issues that I don’t need to do on daily basis however I have to do a couple of 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 an excellent job. But when I vacuum twice per week, then it provides me a bonus. And of this outdated gamified factor with formulation in there that simply amuses me to no finish. And it really encourages me to do these items that I would in any other case procrastinate or simply really feel like, “Oh, I’m too drained, it may possibly 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 at all times really feel like, oh, that is, like, yet 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 some 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 in search of in a home and, like, our ideally suited, you already know, options and what have been the prerequisites, individuals stored monitor of the dialog, the realtor and, like, the entire homes we visited, type of like doing a professional con checklist on them. After which when it bought time for the transfer, I did an entire stock. So I numbered all of the containers. After which after 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 capable of after we moved, and it’s like, okay, we’d like 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 monitor down, you already know, no matter pot and pan and my spices come that first week after the transfer. In order that’s type of, like, a sensible means 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 of bit, however I wanna be sure that 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, as an illustration, like a number of the issues we’ve talked about, like meal planning, I can pull that up after I’m on the retailer. I can work on these items after I’m at an appointment with the children or ready on the children in an exercise as a result of my cellphone is just about at all times with me. And so it’s tremendous handy that means however then it’s straightforward additionally to work on a desktop once you’re establishing a few of these greater tasks and larger 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 an excellent query. I’m out and in of it just about all day lengthy. I’ll say although, you already know, I nonetheless preserve a paper journal after I’m on the cellphone, oftentimes, as a result of I’m displaying any individual else the 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 checklist and guarantee that all the pieces’s in Notion the way in which I would like it to be and that, you already know, I can preserve monitor of all of the little particulars and the nuances. So, I discover it to be a extremely fluid factor by way of, you already know, some days I’m in there, like, actually virtually all day. Now granted, I’m a Notion marketing consultant in order that is smart. However even on days after I’m engaged on different issues or serving to any individual with a web site or different enterprise methods, I’m nonetheless out and in just about all day. And I’d say the opposite two issues I’ll throw out, I really like that you simply talked about the online, desktop, cellphone, and it really works on iPad very well. Actually, they’ve made quite a lot 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 newest 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 may possibly take, like, the primary few issues in your favorites. So, like, my favorites, the pages are day by day, fast seize, and my at this time web page plus a couple of others. And I even have that widget proper on my cellphone in order that, you already know, 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 already know, 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 to start with, this can be a tough factor to elucidate fully, 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 wish to perceive extra and who wish to begin integrating this, I’ll guarantee that hyperlink is within the present notes however type of stroll us by the way you assist individuals with that and the sources you could have.
Sandra: Yeah, so for several types of purchasers are completely different. I actually would like to have a gaggle 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 of discussion board on my web site so if anyone’s fascinated 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 when you put in /wellnessmama, you land on a web page that can have some fascinating info that’s, like, geared in 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 a bit of factor that if that’s of curiosity to anyone, they’ll join and let me know. Fundamental methods I work with individuals proper now could be by enterprise teaching and methods help. And so, generally individuals 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 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 shopper join their Google calendar with their iCloud, with their Macbook, with their cellphone, like, all these little doodads go collectively. And so Notion is type of like one piece of the puzzle for me, however it spine of the methods I arrange. So, once more, you’ll find me on the net at sandrahalling.com or on Twitter or Instagram at notionnerd.
Katie: Good. I’ll be sure that 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 e-book or plenty 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 crucial impactful books for me is “Getting Issues Finished,” which is type of a basic within the productiveness house. So, I discovered it most respected or most impactful within the sense that it taught me the way to group, and categorize, and course of info in a means that I hadn’t seen earlier than. And it got here out after 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 have now now, which is, you already know, database marketing consultant now for a few years. So, that was actually impactful. And clearly “Begin Ending” is type of an important device now. I feel “Getting Issues Finished” is type of a basic, but additionally 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 feel “Begin Ending” does a greater job of addressing the entire completely different avenues that our lives take and the way a lot info comes at us and simply type of managing the combo 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 these items. So it’s each taking a look at my life holistically, provides me a need to wanna arrange it extra. In order that’s type of how these two issues tie collectively for me.
Katie: Nice suggestions. I’ll be sure that these are linked within the present notes as effectively. I’m so glad I bought to share extra about Notion at this time as a result of like I stated, it’s a device 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 realized extra from you at this time. And hopefully shared a brand new useful resource with most of the individuals listening that may simplify their lives. However thanks to your time at this time and for all of the work you’re doing.
Sandra: Thanks a lot, Katie. It was quite a lot of enjoyable.
Katie: And thanks guys, as at all times for listening, for sharing your most respected useful resource, your time with each of us at this time. We’re so grateful that you simply did, and I hope that you’ll be part of me once more on the subsequent episode of “The Wellness Mama Podcast.”
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