413: How one can Use Notion for Group and Productiveness With Sandra Halling

413: How to Use Notion for Organization and Productivity With Sandra Halling

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Katie: Good day, 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. Be sure you verify them out. This episode is all about one of many instruments I exploit to remain productive and arranged, and that I really feel is an especially priceless device. And I additionally really feel like I’m not utilizing it in addition to I may very well 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 limitless methods of utilizing it. I’m on no account an professional. So I’m right here with the programs professional, 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 considering to assist small companies and entrepreneurs and people at implementing Notion and tips on how to use that to create a framework that helps her private life. She focuses on group and she or he guides her shoppers via 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 extremely a lot a visible factor. So we speak via as a lot as we will simply verbally right here, however she’s additionally gonna have a hyperlink within the present notes at wellnessmama.fm, that can take you to her website and to some extra visuals on tips on how to really implement this in addition to she is likely to be prepared to do a mixed course for mothers and households of tips on how to use this particularly for these associated matters. So, once more, I discover this a really, very useful device however I’m on no account an professional at utilizing it and I wished to herald 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 talk 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 exploit it. And I additionally really feel like that is an incredible device that’s not tremendous well-known but, particularly amongst mothers. And I feel it may be completely unbelievable. So, to begin with, I do know that you’re an professional on this, which is why I used to be so pleased to talk with you in the present day however stroll us via on a really broad degree what Notion is.

Sandra: Okay. So, Notion at its core is form 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 every thing beneath 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 implies that it’s very versatile in relation to designing your personal private dashboard that is sensible to you and the way in which you need 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 exploit it for enterprise and in addition for form of family administration and simply conserving monitor of every thing I have to do in my very own life in addition to, like, long-term purpose monitoring. I monitor one thing referred to as OKRs or targets 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 relation to Notion. And I feel anytime we’re speaking, like, excessive degree group, it will possibly appear overwhelming at first. Actually after I first began utilizing Notion, I used to be slightly bit caught so far as tips on how to create programs in it. And I ended up having to form of go define all of the issues I wanted to determine tips on how to handle after which work from there versus simply attempting to begin creating in Notion. So if somebody’s new to it, how can they form of keep away from that overwhelm or what’s a great 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 all the notebooks and post-it notes and shoe packing containers that you’ve got round with varied tidbits of data, every thing from just like the whiteboard in your kitchen, the place you retain your menu, at the very least that’s what I do, , uber nerd over right here. However all the little locations the place you’ve gotten items of data that you simply don’t wanna lose monitor of and begin eager about these as components of your life that you could possibly convey collectively in a coherent entire. So if you happen to might have kind of a one-stop store for simply getting the heartbeat of issues, what would that appear to be 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 healthier once 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 individuals do lots 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 if you happen to like enjoying round in these types of issues after which overlook that it’s meant to truly make your life simpler and never kind of be a distraction rabbit gap. So, it’s like discovering that pleased medium between placing some thought into what you need it to appear to be, what objective you need it to serve, what info do you would like you could possibly set up higher or had higher monitor of? So my company shoppers are normally level to love their Google Drive is a large number or their stuff buried in Slack.

However my, like, private shoppers give it some thought extra for, like, , monitoring their chore sheet, or funds, or possibly well being programs, or simply various things on the private aspect, even hobbies. It’s a fantastic place to trace info on hobbies. So, it’s form of like getting the lay of the land of all of the classes after which eager 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 nicely. I feel it’s a fantastic place to have the ability to do that top degree planning in addition to the low degree day after 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 achieved is I’ve time-based perspective. So I’ve, like, a each 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 form of wanting on the classes. After which the third factor I’ll throw out, proper off the bat is, like, make it possible for 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 recommend 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 numerous info and examples out on YouTube about alternative ways of approaching it and, like, 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: Received it. Okay. So I’d like to undergo slightly bit of those form of possibly get some recommendation step-by-step on issues which might be largely universally relevant to individuals listening. So, issues like all of us must eat and most of us are planning meals for our households. And I’ve, , instruments like Actual Plans that I exploit 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 via form 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, specifically, one of many issues that I like to recommend to individuals typically 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 prime after which have the directions and any kind 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. Truly, 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 form of tremendous excited to speak about it in the present day. And that’s that I linked it into what I name my each day journal or my kind of, like, my digital bullet journal, if you’ll. So, I’ve this each day homepage that I am going to that has all these reflections, which I can get into in a second. However it has the hyperlink to journaling questions and my habits. Like, am I ingesting my water? Am I exercising? That 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 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 recognize, it’s like that little stuff that may make our lives a lot simpler. And so determining tips on how to arrange my gallery view in Notion. So it not solely shows a fairly image of the recipe to entice me, to begin dinner prep after I ought to, and it additionally tells me, like, “Hey, what can I do at lunchtime to make my night slightly smoother?”

In order that’s form of, like, structurally how I do a meal. I’ve the completely different tables, however I’ll say, like, to even form 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 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 approach that makes issues simpler? Tables may be fairly particular in it’s objective. Like I used to be saying, I’ve a recipe desk, however that’s very separate from my meal plan desk. And that’s separate from my digital bullet journal and behavior monitoring desk. And by doing issues like that, it provides you slightly extra flexibility and management about what you show the place. And, , Notion, it’s laborious to speak over audio, proper, how versatile it’s. And I’m certain you could possibly communicate to this too, the place you simply can management so many little nuances of what you see on varied screens and dashboards. It’s in contrast to another house upkeep or, , 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 exploit this in so many alternative methods as nicely. And like I mentioned, I don’t even suppose I exploit it almost as effectively as lots of people, and particularly as you. You simply talked about a each day homepage. And I really like this concept form of like a management middle for every thing you’d put into Notion. Are you able to stroll us via form 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 monitor?

Sandra: Yeah. Yeah. So I really like that you simply requested that as a result of my each day web page is definitely the place I begin my day, day by 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 according to 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 only kind of, like, actually verify in to see how I’m feeling that day, what I need to accomplish that day, if there’s something I’m worrying about, actually only a pause from 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 day trip the form of, we get into automated pilot, a greater approach of claiming it. And having the check-ins for it’s a big approach of me zooming within the midst of the day and deciding how I need a few hours to go. So, my each day web page is the place I’ve my verify ins situated and I set these up as template button. So I’ve a preset checklist of questions which might 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, , 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 each day web page, I’ve a hyperlink to a separate desk, the one I used to be speaking about for kind of, like, the each 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 drugs, nutritional vitamins, so on and so forth? So you could possibly go down the laundry checklist of the issues that you simply preserve monitor of for your self.

And, , that is multi function desk however I show it in numerous sections. So, I don’t must suppose via it on a regular basis. I get via what I’m a given second. And so, this each 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 top of the day. And in every of those areas, I exploit my behavior tracker and I show completely different fields. So completely different properties. So, within the morning, the one factor I actually care about is, like, did I bear in mind to take…? You recognize, did I bear in mind to have some water and what time did I get up? That form 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, , 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 happening in my world from a day after day foundation. In order that’s form of how I leap off from the each day web page.

Katie: I’m taking notes and mapping out all this stuff that I want so as to add to mine. So, speak slightly bit extra about templates as a result of I feel 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 individuals 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 plenty of the issues I do are repetitive. And creating them as a template, like a each day to do checklist or weekly planning for my crew, issues like that, it appears actually, actually useful. So, stroll us via the benefits of templates and tips on how to form of determine tips on how to use them.

Sandra: Yeah. So, the phrase template is utilized in a few alternative ways and kind of the Notion sphere if you’ll. So, the excessive degree model of a template is, like, , you possibly can construct out no matter you need your pages and tables to appear to be, after which you possibly can 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 possibly can, 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 typically what we do is as soon as I get them arrange with the fundamentals, and so they’re rocking and rolling, and so they’ve obtained the technical expertise down, which solely takes, , an hour or two to do, then we switch my template into their system. My template’s slightly little bit of a whopper, proper, as a result of I, , do that day in and day trip. And that’s one strategy to kind of streamline issues is to search out an individual that you simply like Notion already, , 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 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 form of figuring all of the format. It additionally eases issues from the standpoint. I prefer to say that Notion doesn’t have an opinion about the way you handle your online business or your life. And in order that’s each a great 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, but it surely 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 inside the system which might be like for any given database, you possibly can have a template that might prefill info. So, like, greatest instance for me is in a piece, I’ve a template specifically 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 approach can be possibly, like, you’re operating a podcast, for instance, sure steps that you simply comply with for the podcast, most likely on a weekly foundation, on a month-to-month foundation episode. And so, these kind 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, , content material calendar on your month or your quarter might open that up and also you’d have all new checkboxes to begin your move of data. And I’m utilizing checkboxes simply to make the instance. However your templates can get actually advanced with nested tables and ask associated 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 could possibly use it to handle a crew or run a enterprise. After which the third one, like, so many templates… So the third sort of template is definitely what we name a template button. And a template button is a totally completely different form of function 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 form 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 advanced, that it’s price placing them in their very own desk, then you possibly can, , use these template buttons simply to kind 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 possibly you do each week or month or one thing.

Katie: Yeah, I’m considering of so many new methods to make use of this for lots extra areas of my life definitely. Does this…? Can notion combine immediately with different programs that folks is likely to be utilizing? For example, you talked about Slack or Calendar apps or can it combine immediately with any of this stuff or is it standalone?

Sandra: So proper now it’s standalone. What I’ll say is that Notion has the flexibility to embed plenty of apps. So what meaning is Notion is principally entry via the slack command. And also you press that, and also you’ll see an inventory of choices. And as you begin typing, it form of narrows all the way down to what you want. One of many issues you are able to do is you possibly can, like, embed a Google doc, or a picture, or numerous different issues. Simply final week, there was a launch Notion put out a discover that they’re within the midst of testing API, which is principally the decision that functions use to speak between one another. And so it’s gonna be in beta early subsequent 12 months. So, fingers crossed someday earlier than the top of subsequent 12 months, we’re gonna even have true integration with different functions. However proper now, standalone. And I’ll say, although, every time I’ve had that, like, after I used to do it or a few of these different apps which might be on the market to assist meet my life, I at all times discovered myself including extra to it than I might actually moderately course of. So there’s one thing about API that may ship us on a path of just about, like, over-integrating issues. So, in some methods, I’m form 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 having the ability to use it to execute on the issues that you simply wanna have the ability to do.

Katie: That’s superior. I do know one other form of unrelated factor that I exploit it for that I most likely might determine tips on how 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 exploit it to do one thing referred to as the Feynman method. And I preserve what would principally be like a journal, however the place I kind of put all of my Feyman method summaries proper now. And for anyone who’s not acquainted, I’ve talked about it slightly bit on the podcast earlier than however the Feyman method is principally the concept that you’ve gotten realized one thing when you’ve gotten the flexibility to obviously and concisely clarify it to a toddler. And fortuitously, I’ve numerous kids to truly observe this and clarify to day by 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 this stuff 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 a fantastic 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 might be. In order that’s a tip I really like to offer 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 possibly can put it in Notion. In order that’s form of like the way you mentioned you employ it as a journal. That’s kind of the way in which I kind of each day journal with it. And then you definately 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 suggestions of higher ways in which I may be utilizing this to trace objectives. So, do you construct templates for that or how do you map out after which preserve monitor 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 at all times discovered SMART objectives to be slightly 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 wished to insurgent in opposition to it. However there’s one thing concerning the OKR methodology the place once you make the targets, 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 target, and also you set these up first, all of the sudden having key outcomes, that are primarily 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 capable of, , harness that energy. And so the way in which 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 tips on how to really end the issues that we begin, proper? So, the way in which I exploit the momentum planning technique in Notion is, I’ve another tables, one’s for initiatives, which I consider as form 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, , replace this factor or analysis this factor, no matter, the duties I have to deal with. After which, to make it much more strong, I’ve another desk that I exploit, which I name areas, which is supposed to be kind of wheel of life, if you’ll. So, any kind 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 kind of like having a purpose, but it surely takes off, like I mentioned, that point stress, in order that it’s simply, , periodically, I am going in and I have a look at these issues that matter to me, and I can form of… You recognize, 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 evaluate. They seem on… A few of them are on the each day web page or I even have two different dashboards that I exploit after the each day web page on a day after day foundation. They usually’re referred to as the Right now Web page and The This Week Web page. And people principally permit me to have, like I mentioned, time-based perspective on what it’s I’m attempting to create.

Katie: I really like that. I do know, like… I feel, OKR, I’m an enormous fan as nicely. 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 typically utilized in enterprise, however I feel 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 objectives associated to that. And I additionally use it, like I mentioned, in my private life for private improvement issues or new expertise I’m attempting to study and conserving 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 exploit Notion, typically, are for conserving monitor of issues like Christmas reward concepts or reward concepts, typically, 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 consider them, simply right now 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 monitor of this stuff or how would you set that up?

Sandra: Yeah, so that is the place Notion can actually be an entire, like, life working system. And I say that… And, , I’m at all times very… I work with plenty of novices and plenty of proper mind kind of artistic thoughts map sort individuals. And so I’ve a tender spot for them. And I do know that saying the phrase working system will not be at all times engaging to everyone. However on the similar time, it’s only a approach of harnessing all that creativity and all these concepts you’ve gotten, 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 college occasions or one which I did just lately that I form 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 conserving monitor of all of the issues that I don’t must do day by day however I have to 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 great job. But when I vacuum twice per week, then it provides me a bonus. And of this previous gamified factor with formulation in there that simply amuses me to no finish. And it really encourages me to do this stuff that I’d in any other case procrastinate or simply really feel like, “Oh, I’m too drained, it will possibly 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 at all times really feel like, oh, that is, like, another factor I’ve to do. The important thing factor for me with Notion, like, I really need to open it on the weekend, which I’ve by no means felt earlier than with another app. So, by way of, like, attending to a extra sensible reply to your query, one of many issues that I exploit or that I did at Notion this 12 months that was tremendous useful is we moved.

And so not solely did I’ve in there our lists of we had been in search of in a home and, like, our best, , options and what had been the necessities, individuals stored monitor of the dialog, the realtor and, like, all the homes we visited, form of like doing a professional con checklist on them. After which when it obtained time for the transfer, I did an entire stock. So I numbered all of the packing 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 might 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 form 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 monitor down, , no matter pot and pan and my spices come that first week after the transfer. In order that’s kind of, like, a sensible approach that you could possibly use an app like this to make your life simpler.

Katie: And one other factor we’ve talked about slightly 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, in fact, they sync. And in order that’s been actually useful to me as a result of, for example, 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 this stuff after 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 at all times with me. And so it’s tremendous handy that approach 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 a great query. I’m out and in of it just about all day lengthy. I’ll say although, , I nonetheless preserve a paper journal after I’m on the telephone, oftentimes, as a result of I’m displaying anyone else tips on how 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 form of undergo that checklist and make it possible for every thing’s in Notion the way in which I need it to be and that, , 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, , some days I’m in there, like, actually virtually all day. Now granted, I’m a Notion advisor 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 very well. In truth, they’ve made plenty 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 form 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 recognize, the most recent replace for iOS really has this factor referred to 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 telephone display screen. And the Notion widget is tremendous useful as a result of it will possibly take, like, the primary few issues in your favorites. So, like, my favorites, the pages are each 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, , 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 numerous, like, , you’re not locked into solely being in your browser, solely be in your desktop, you’ve gotten numerous choices and methods to entry it that may make life simpler.

Katie: Superior. And also you talked about to start with, it is a troublesome factor to clarify fully, 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 individuals with and you’ve got a web site associated to. So, for individuals who need to perceive extra and who need to begin integrating this, I’ll make it possible for hyperlink is within the present notes however form of stroll us via the way you assist individuals with that and the sources you’ve gotten.

Sandra: Yeah, so for various kinds of shoppers 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 about up slightly discussion board on my web site so if anyone’s enthusiastic about that form of factor, they will let me know after which we will determine it out within the new 12 months. And the opposite factor I’ll throw out, you’ll find Twitter at notionnerd and Instagram @notionnerd additionally. So one of the best ways to search out me is on sandrahalling com. And if you happen to 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 12 months, particularly with that as a goal. So I’ll put in slightly factor that if that’s of curiosity to anyone, they will enroll and let me know. Foremost methods I work with individuals proper now could be via enterprise teaching and programs assist. And so, generally individuals are available in and so they 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 form 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 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 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 net at sandrahalling.com or on Twitter or Instagram at notionnerd.

Katie: Excellent. 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 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 some of the impactful books for me is “Getting Issues Finished,” 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 tips on how to group, and categorize, and course of info in a approach 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 now have now, which is, , database advisor now for a few years. So, that was actually impactful. And clearly “Begin Ending” is form of a fantastic device now. I feel “Getting Issues Finished” is kind 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 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 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 special perspective on issues. And I like mixing this stuff. So it’s each my life holistically, provides me a want to wanna set up it extra. In order that’s form 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 obtained 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 may very well be. And I’m excited to have realized extra from you in the present day. And hopefully shared a brand new useful resource with lots of the individuals listening that may simplify their lives. However thanks on your time in the present day and for all of the work you’re doing.

Sandra: Thanks a lot, Katie. It was plenty of enjoyable.

Katie: And thanks guys, as at all times for listening, for sharing your most dear 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 following episode of “The Wellness Mama Podcast.”

Should you’re having fun with these interviews, would you please take two minutes to go away a score or evaluate on iTunes for me? Doing this helps extra individuals to search out the podcast, which implies much more mothers and households may benefit from the knowledge. I actually recognize your time, and thanks as at all times for listening.

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