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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’ll want to test 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 precious device. And I additionally really feel like I’m not utilizing it in addition to I might be. It’s referred to as Notion, and it’s an app that can be utilized on telephone or desktop. It integrates with each. And there appear to be infinite methods of utilizing it. I’m under no circumstances an professional. So I’m right here with the programs professional, Sandra Halling, who’s a enterprise strategist and system specialists, who loves the technological facet. She’s been doing totally 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 right 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 creating private {and professional} initiatives inside Notion. And we go into a few of these ways in which she does this in the present day. And it is rather 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 may take you to her website and to some extra visuals on the right way to really implement this in addition to she may be prepared to do a mixed course for mothers and households of the right way to use this particularly for these associated matters. So, once more, I discover this a really, very useful device however I’m under no circumstances an professional at utilizing it and I needed to usher in Sandra in the present day 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 study from you in the present day. One of many matters 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 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 take advantage of it. And I additionally really feel like that is a tremendous device that’s not tremendous well-known but, particularly amongst mothers. And I believe it may be completely unbelievable. 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 speak with you in the present day however stroll us by on a really broad degree what Notion is.
Sandra: Okay. So, Notion at its core is sort of like a database. However I say that phrase, and typically folks 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 every thing beneath the solar from deal with notes, and duties, to collaboration. And one of many stunning issues about Notion is you could cross-reference and sync knowledge from all areas of your life to all different areas. In order that implies that it’s very versatile relating to designing your personal private dashboard that is sensible to you and the best way you wish to run your loved ones, run your life, run your small 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 sort of family administration and simply conserving observe of every thing I have to do in my very own life in addition to, like, long-term objective monitoring. I observe one thing referred to as OKRs or targets 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 extremely good level, which is that there’s a studying curve relating to Notion. And I believe anytime we’re speaking, like, excessive degree group, it might appear overwhelming at first. Definitely after I first began utilizing Notion, I used to be a bit of bit caught so far as the right way to create programs in it. And I ended up having to sort of go define all of the issues I wanted to determine the right way to handle after which work from there versus simply making an attempt to start out creating in Notion. So if somebody’s new to it, how can they sort of keep away from that overwhelm or what’s 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 might throw on the market for a brand new person is nearly the entire notebooks and post-it notes and shoe bins that you’ve round with varied tidbits of data, every thing from just like the whiteboard in your kitchen, the place you retain your menu, a minimum of that’s what I do, you realize, uber nerd over right here. However the entire little locations the place you’ve items of data that you simply don’t wanna lose observe of and begin serious about these as elements of your life that you can carry collectively in a coherent entire. So if you happen to may have type of a one-stop store for simply getting the heart beat of issues, what would that appear like in an excellent 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 believe 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 potential, versus making an attempt to construct the right system earlier than you dive in. And that’s the opposite factor I see folks do so much 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 if you happen to 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 like, what function you need it to serve, what info do you would like you can manage higher or had higher observe of? So my company shoppers are normally level to love their Google Drive is a multitude or their stuff buried in Slack.
However my, like, private shoppers give it some thought extra for, like, you realize, monitoring their chore sheet, or funds, or perhaps well being programs, or simply various things on the private facet, even hobbies. It’s an important place to trace info on hobbies. So, it’s sort of like getting the lay of the land of all of the classes after which serious about how you’d wanna carry 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 observe these as nicely. I believe it’s an important place to have the ability to do that top degree planning in addition to the low degree day after day process planning. I believe that’s one thing to consider is also, like, after 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 type 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 sort of wanting on the classes. After which the third factor I’ll throw out, proper off the bat is, like, ensure that if you happen to 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 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 alternative ways of approaching it and, like, totally different templates. However typically 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 a bit of bit of those sort of perhaps get some recommendation step-by-step on issues which can be largely universally relevant to folks listening. So, issues like all of us need to eat and most of us are planning meals for our households. And I’ve, you realize, instruments like Actual Plans that I take advantage of 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 sort 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 folks usually is to consider their teams of data, type of like separate buckets. So, for instance, I’ve a recipe log the place I’ve totally 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 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 sort of tremendous excited to speak about it in the present day. And that’s that I linked it into what I name my every day journal or my type of, like, my digital bullet journal, if you’ll. So, I’ve this every 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 ingesting my water? Am I exercising? That great 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 totally 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. , it’s like that little stuff that may make our lives a lot simpler. And so determining the right 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 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 sort of, like, structurally how I do a meal. I’ve the totally different tables, however I’ll say, like, to even sort of zoom out or go to an much more larger degree, one of many issues I wish 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 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 a bit of extra flexibility and management about what you show the place. And, you realize, Notion, it’s exhausting to speak over audio, proper, how versatile it’s. And I’m positive you 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 in contrast to some other residence upkeep or, you realize, effort I’ve put into monitoring, like, simply all these issues that go into managing residence life, actually.
Katie: That’s superior. Yeah, I really feel like I take advantage of this in so many various methods as nicely. And like I mentioned, I don’t even suppose 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 really like this concept sort of like a management middle for every thing you’d put into Notion. Are you able to stroll us by sort 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 every thing else you observe?
Sandra: Yeah. Yeah. So I really like that you simply requested that as a result of my every day web page is definitely the place I begin my day, each day. And in reality, it’s so crucial to my course of that oftentimes… It’s additionally the place I finish my day if I’m being per my habits. And so, I’ve… One of many issues I love to do is do test ins at varied level in the course of the day. And for me, a check-in is a set of questions that I wish to ask myself to only type of, like, actually test 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 not likely what I imply. However you get what I’m saying. Like, that day in day trip the sort of, we get into automated pilot, a greater manner of claiming it. And having the check-ins for it’s a big manner 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 test ins situated and I set these up as template button. So I’ve a preset checklist 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 realize, 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 type of, like, the every day habits. And in that desk, I observe 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 can go down the laundry checklist of the issues that you simply hold observe of for your self.
And, you realize, that is multi functional desk however I show it in several sections. So, I don’t need to suppose by it suddenly on a regular basis. I get by what I’m a given second. And so, this every 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 after I’m, like, pre-coffee and simply making an attempt 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 direction of the top of the day. And in every of those areas, I take advantage of my behavior tracker and I show totally different fields. So totally different properties. So, within the morning, the one factor I actually care about is, like, did I bear in mind to take…? , did I bear in mind to have some water and what time did I get up? That sort of factor. However later within the day, there’s fields for meals and monitoring signs. Like, I’ve persistent sinus points so I observe all of the signs associated to that simply so I can see going again, “Oh, hey, you realize, 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 sort of how I bounce off from the every 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 believe this is among the big 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 superb at creating my very own templates but however this has been on my checklist as a result of a number 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 staff, issues like that, it appears actually, actually useful. So, stroll us by the benefits of templates and the right way to sort of determine the right way to use them.
Sandra: Yeah. So, the phrase template is utilized in a few alternative ways and type of the Notion sphere if you’ll. So, the excessive degree model of a template is, like, you realize, you may construct out no matter you need your pages and tables to appear like, after which you may really share that entire setup with different folks. And so, once you say you’ve introduced templates into your system, that’s what you’re speaking about there. There’s really a technique to share it on the internet. 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 shoppers 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 expertise down, which solely takes, you realize, 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 realize, do that day in and day trip. And that’s one technique to type of streamline issues is to search out an individual that you simply like Notion already, you realize, both through YouTube or no matter, after which both buy or search for a free template 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 nicely will include all these tables that we’re speaking about pre-linked collectively. So that you don’t have to sit down there and sort of figuring all of the structure. It additionally eases issues from the standpoint. I wish to say that Notion doesn’t have an opinion about the way you handle your small business or your life. And in order that’s each factor and a foul factor. And it’s that them not having an opinion implies 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 an important? 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 the easiest way to do one thing.
In order that’s templates at a excessive degree. However there’s additionally templates inside the system which can be like for any given database, you may have a template that would 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 ensure 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 manner can be perhaps, like, you’re operating 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 type 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 realize, 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 can use it to handle a staff 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 totally different sort 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 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 sort 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 realize, use these template buttons simply to type 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 definitely. Does this…? Can notion combine instantly with different programs that individuals may be utilizing? As an illustration, you talked about Slack or Calendar apps or can it combine instantly 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 flexibility to embed a number of apps. So what which means is Notion is mainly entry by the slack command. And also you press that, and also you’ll see a listing of choices. And as you begin typing, it sort 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 mainly 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, every time I’ve had that, like, after I used to do it or a few of these different apps which can be on the market to assist meet my life, I at all times discovered myself including extra to it than I may actually moderately 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 sort 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 every thing in there after which not likely 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 sort of unrelated factor that I take advantage of it for that I most likely may determine the right way to templatized higher, however that I like to recommend to folks that may be a brand new one, even for you as I take advantage of it to do one thing referred to as the Feynman approach. And I hold what would mainly be like a journal, however the place I type of put all of my Feyman approach 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 approach is mainly the concept that you’ve discovered one thing when you’ve the flexibility to obviously and concisely clarify it to a toddler. And fortuitously, I’ve plenty of kids to really apply this and clarify to each day. However that is one thing I do every 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 discovered, it’s in a single place, and Notion offers me an important place to trace all of those. After which I may also, like, simply discover them to share them, if I have to with my staff or no matter it could be. In order that’s a tip I really like to provide mothers is it actually helps I discover improve recall and creativity. And if you happen to’re not an enormous fan of writing, you should use one other app referred to 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 sort of like the way you mentioned you utilize it as a journal. That’s type of the best way I type of every 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 could 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 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 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 in regards to the OKR methodology the place once you make the targets, the type of inspirational/aspirational issues that you simply’re making an attempt to do in your small business or your life, the impression that you simply’re making an attempt to have, the main target, and also you set these up first, out of the blue having key outcomes, that are primarily 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 realize, harness that energy. And so the best way my system is configured is I’ve targets 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 e-book referred to as “Begin Ending,” which if you happen to 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 mother and father use it. It’s only a neat methodology for planning the right way to really end the issues that we begin, proper? So, the best way I take advantage of the momentum planning technique in Notion is, I’ve another tables, one’s for initiatives, which I consider as sort 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 realize, replace this factor or analysis this factor, no matter, the duties I have to deal with. After which, to make it much more sturdy, I’ve yet one more 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 part to my life that I wanna have an intentional apply 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 mentioned, that point stress, in order that it’s simply, you realize, periodically, I am going in and I have a look at these issues that matter to me, and I can sort of… , 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 assessment. 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 referred to as the Immediately Web page and The This Week Web page. And people mainly permit me to have, like I mentioned, time-based perspective on what it’s I’m making an attempt to create.
Katie: I really like that. I do know, like… I believe, OKR, I’m an enormous fan as nicely. I’ll put a few of my favourite assets associated to understanding that within the shownotes. I believe it’s relevant to everybody. I do know it’s usually utilized in enterprise, however I believe it’s really very related to folks as nicely, so far as planning long-term issues with our children, definitely for homeschooling mother and father and having targets associated to that. And I additionally use it, like I mentioned, in my private life for private growth issues or new expertise I’m making an attempt 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 take advantage of Notion, usually, are for conserving observe of issues like Christmas reward concepts or reward concepts, usually, 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 somewhat than having to consider them, simply presently 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 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 realize, I’m at all times very… I work with a number of freshmen and a number of proper mind type of inventive thoughts map sort folks. And so I’ve a gentle spot for them. And I do know that saying the phrase working system just isn’t at all times attractive to all people. However on the similar time, it’s only a manner of harnessing all that creativity and all these concepts you’ve, 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 not too long ago that I sort of amused myself with is I arrange an entire desk that’s, like, I name them weekly quests. And it’s mainly 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 just a few occasions every week. And mainly the best way the desk works is I’ve a few formulation in-built in order that so long as I vacuum as soon as every week, I get a thumbs up and job. But when I vacuum twice every week, then it offers 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 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 wish to put enjoyable issues in there. So it doesn’t at all times really feel like, oh, that is, like, yet one more 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 12 months that was tremendous useful is we moved.
And so not solely did I’ve in there our lists of we had been in search of in a home and, like, our supreme, you realize, options and what had been the prerequisites, folks saved observe of the dialog, the realtor and, like, the entire homes we visited, sort 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 bins. 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 making an attempt 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’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 assumed I used to be over-engineering it and sort 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 nicely definitely worth the effort I put in to have the ability to observe down, you realize, no matter pot and pan and my spices come that first week after the transfer. In order that’s type of, like, a sensible manner that you 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 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 illustration, like among 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 youngsters or ready on the youngsters in an exercise as a result of my telephone is just about at all times with me. And so it’s tremendous handy that manner however then it’s straightforward 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 person of Notion, however how a lot are you interacting with Notion throughout any regular day?
Sandra: It’s query. I’m out and in of it just about all day lengthy. I’ll say although, you realize, I nonetheless hold a paper journal after I’m on the telephone, oftentimes, as a result of I’m exhibiting anyone else the right 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 sort of undergo that checklist and ensure that every thing’s in Notion the best way I need it to be and that, you realize, I can hold observe of all of the little particulars and the nuances. So, I discover it to be a extremely fluid factor by way of, you realize, some days I’m in there, like, actually virtually all day. Now granted, I’m a Notion guide in order that is sensible. However even on days after I’m engaged on different issues or serving to anyone with a web site or different enterprise programs, I’m nonetheless out and in just about all day. And I might say the opposite two issues I’ll throw out, I really like that you simply talked about the net, desktop, telephone, and it really works on iPad rather well. Actually, they’ve made a number 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 sort 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 totally different codecs. And there’s a new factor on the brand new iOS working… , the newest replace for iOS really has this factor referred to as widgets, which if folks haven’t seen them or checked them out but, they’re actually cool. They mainly put little mini apps, if you’ll, proper in your telephone display screen. 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 in the present day web page plus just a few others. And I even have that widget proper on my telephone in order that, you realize, 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 sensible actually simply and on the fly. So there’s plenty of, like, you realize, you’re not locked into solely being in your browser, solely be in your desktop, you’ve 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 elucidate totally, simply verbally as a result of it’s very a lot hands-on and visible as nicely. 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 ensure that hyperlink is within the present notes however sort of stroll us by the way you assist folks with that and the assets you’ve.
Sandra: Yeah, so for various kinds of shoppers are totally 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 thinking about that sort of factor, they’ll let me know after which we are able to 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 the easiest way to search out me is on sandrahalling com. And if you happen to put in /wellnessmama, you land on a web page that may have some fascinating info that’s, like, geared in 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 of factor that if that’s of curiosity to anyone, they’ll join and let me know. Essential methods I work with folks proper now’s by enterprise teaching and programs help. And so, typically folks 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 typically what folks want is extra of, like, a sort of slower burn, if you’ll. So we do a 3 to 6 months method to dig into the totally 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 shopper join their Google calendar with their iCloud, with their Macbook, with their telephone, 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 programs 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 be sure 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 numerous 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 probably the most impactful books for me is “Getting Issues Finished,” which is type of a traditional within the productiveness house. So, I discovered it Most worthy or most impactful within the sense that it taught me the right way to group, and categorize, and course of info in a manner that I hadn’t seen earlier than. And it got here out after 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 now have now, which is, you realize, database guide now for a few years. So, that was actually impactful. And clearly “Begin Ending” is sort of an important device now. I believe “Getting Issues Finished” is type 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 totally different avenues that our lives take and the way a lot info comes at us and simply type of managing the combination there. After which different books that, like, actually matter to me on a private degree had 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 unique perspective on issues. And I like mixing these items. So it’s each my life holistically, offers me a want to wanna manage it extra. In order that’s sort of how these two issues tie collectively for me.
Katie: Nice suggestions. I’ll be sure these are linked within the present notes as nicely. I’m so glad I bought to share extra about Notion in the present day as a result of like I mentioned, 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 might be. And I’m excited to have discovered extra from you in the present day. And hopefully shared a brand new useful resource with most of the folks listening that may simplify their lives. However thanks to your time in the present day and for all of the work you’re doing.
Sandra: Thanks a lot, Katie. It was a number of enjoyable.
Katie: And thanks guys, as at all times for listening, for sharing your Most worthy useful resource, your time with each of us in the present day. 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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