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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 non-public care merchandise. Remember to examine them out. This episode is all about one of many instruments I take advantage of to remain productive and arranged, and that I really feel is an especially priceless instrument. And I additionally really feel like I’m not utilizing it in addition to I might be. It’s known as Notion, and it’s an app that can be utilized on cellphone or desktop. It integrates with each. And there appear to be infinite methods of utilizing it. I’m not at all an skilled. So I’m right here with the programs skilled, Sandra Halling, who’s a enterprise strategist and system specialists, who loves the technological aspect. She’s been doing completely different types of this for 20 years. And now she brings her company expertise and her strategic pondering to assist small companies and entrepreneurs and people at implementing Notion and the best way to use that to create a framework that helps her private life. She focuses on group and he or she 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 at the moment. And it is extremely a lot a visible factor. So we speak by as a lot as we will simply verbally right here, however she’s additionally gonna have a hyperlink within the present notes at wellnessmama.fm, that can take you to her website and to some extra visuals on the best way to truly implement this in addition to she may be keen to do a mixed course for mothers and households of the best way to use this particularly for these associated subjects. So, once more, I discover this a really, very useful instrument however I’m not at all an skilled at utilizing it and I wished to herald Sandra at the moment 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 be taught from you at the moment. One of many subjects that’s all the time arising once I ask the listeners what they need me to speak extra about is issues like group and productiveness. And an app that I’ve been 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 an incredible instrument that isn’t 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 skilled on this, which is why I used to be so comfortable to talk with you at the moment however stroll us by 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, while you’re first diving into it, it’s actually like….. It’s a no code utility, which suggests it’s very straightforward to arrange and configure. And it’s meant to do every little 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 on the subject of designing your personal private dashboard that is sensible to you and the best way you need 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 form of family administration and simply preserving observe of every little thing I must do in my very own life in addition to, like, long-term aim monitoring. I observe one thing known as OKRs or aims and key outcomes for each enterprise and private, and I maintain all of these issues in Notion. However I do know earlier than we began recording, you talked about a extremely good level, which is that there’s a studying curve on the subject of Notion. And I feel anytime we’re speaking, like, excessive degree group, it will possibly appear overwhelming at first. Actually once I first began utilizing Notion, I used to be somewhat bit caught so far as the best way to create programs in it. And I ended up having to form of go define all of the issues I wanted to determine the best way to handle after which work from there versus simply making an attempt 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 be taught or begin to determine what you’re going to place in Notion to start with?
Sandra: Yeah, so one which I’d throw on the market for a brand new person is nearly the entire notebooks and post-it notes and shoe bins that you’ve round with numerous tidbits of data, every little thing from just like the whiteboard in your kitchen, the place you retain your menu, a minimum of that’s what I do, , uber nerd over right here. However the entire little locations the place you might have items of data that you just don’t wanna lose observe of and begin serious about these as elements of your life that you can carry collectively in a coherent complete. So when you may have type of a one-stop store for simply getting the heart beat of issues, what would that seem like in a really perfect world? And even, like, breaking out the crayons and, like, drawing it out within the early days is a extremely good mind-set about it. As a result of Notion actually is so versatile. I feel it’s value taking the time to customise it for your self. After which the second factor is I additionally wouldn’t, like, overdo that as a result of Notion is best while you begin utilizing it as quickly as attainable, versus making an attempt to construct the right system earlier than you dive in. And that’s the opposite factor I see individuals do loads is, like, soar 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 enjoying round in these types of issues after which overlook that it’s meant to truly make your life simpler and never type of be a distraction rabbit gap. So, it’s like discovering that comfortable medium between placing some thought into what you need it to seem like, what objective you need it to serve, what info do you would like you can set up higher or had higher observe of? So my company shoppers are often 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, , monitoring their chore sheet, or funds, or perhaps well being programs, or simply various things on the private aspect, even hobbies. It’s an excellent 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 serious about how you’ll wanna carry it collectively and being actually helpful with your self, such as you talked about. I like that you just talked about the OKRs as a result of I observe these as nicely. I feel it’s an excellent place to have the ability to do that prime degree planning in addition to the low degree day after day activity planning. I feel that’s one thing to consider is also, like, once I construct my system, one of many issues I’ve performed 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 subject 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 trying on the classes. After which the third factor I’ll throw out, proper off the bat is, like, make it possible for when you fall down the plethora of data on YouTube, about Notion is that you just go to Notion’s official channel and have a look at the movies. And I all the time 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, utility and templates. And there’s a lot 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 just use to configure your system?
Katie: Acquired it. Okay. So I’d like to undergo somewhat bit of those form of perhaps get some recommendation step-by-step on issues which can be largely universally relevant to individuals listening. So, issues like all of us need to eat and most of us are planning meals for our households. And I’ve, , instruments like Actual Plans that I take advantage of to do that however I additionally maintain my meal plan in Notion, together with like a seasonal rotating meal plan. However you talked about a meal plan being a factor that’s nice to trace in Notion that I totally agree. So, stroll us by form of how somebody can begin doing that or what sort of, I suppose not template, what sort of system they need to arrange in there to have the ability to construct on?
Sandra: Yeah. So, by way of, like, meals and meal plans, particularly, one of many issues that I like to recommend to individuals typically is to consider their teams of data, 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 prime 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 enjoying round with making this work even higher than it has earlier than. So, I’m form of tremendous excited to speak about it at the moment. 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. Nevertheless 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 truly 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 best way to arrange my gallery view in Notion. So it not solely shows a fairly image of the recipe to entice me, to begin dinner prep once I ought to, and it additionally tells me, like, “Hey, what can I do at lunchtime to make my night somewhat 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 while you’re beginning out, what’s the distinction between a web page and a desk? And the way do you make tables relate to one another in a manner that makes issues simpler? Tables could 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 offers you somewhat extra flexibility and management about what you show the place. And, , Notion, it’s arduous to speak over audio, proper, how versatile it’s. And I’m positive you can communicate to this too, the place you simply can management so many little nuances of what you see on numerous screens and dashboards. It’s not like every other residence upkeep or, , 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 alternative methods as nicely. And like I mentioned, 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 every day homepage. And I like this concept form of like a management middle for every little thing you’ll put into Notion. Are you able to stroll us by form of, like, the way you set that up and all of the issues that you just carry on there, and the way you then go from there and to every little thing else you observe?
Sandra: Yeah. Yeah. So I like that you just requested that as a result of my every day web page is definitely the place I begin my day, on daily basis. And actually, it’s so vital 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 examine ins at numerous 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 examine 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 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 time out the form of, we get into automated pilot, a greater manner of claiming it. And having the check-ins for it’s a large manner of me zooming within the midst of the day and deciding how I need a few hours to go. So, my every day web page is the place I’ve my examine ins positioned and I set these up as template button. So I’ve a preset listing 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, , 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 a complete slew of issues from, like, I’ve checkboxes for did I sweat? Did I stretch? Did I meditate? Did I do my morning pages? Did I do a thought mannequin? Did I take medication, nutritional vitamins, so on and so forth? So you can go down the laundry listing of the issues that you just maintain observe of for your self.
And, , that is multi functional desk however I show it in several sections. So, I don’t need to assume by it suddenly on a regular basis. I get by what I’m taking a look at a given second. And so, this every day web page, it truly has, like, I feel 4 sections to it. And so there’s a web page that’s worthy of my consideration at 5:00 within the morning once I’m, like, pre-coffee and simply making an attempt to get my mind in right here. However there’s additionally a bit of it that’s like noon examine in and a bit of it that’s extra in the direction of the top of the day. And in every of those areas, I take advantage of my behavior tracker and I show completely different fields. So completely different properties. So, within the morning, the one factor I actually care about is, like, did I keep in mind to take…? You already know, did I keep 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 power sinus points so I observe all of the signs associated to that simply so I can see going again, “Oh, hey, , this has truly been bugging me for a few weeks now, not simply a few days. And simply offers me all this wealthy details about what’s occurring in my world from a day after day foundation. In order that’s form of how I soar 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 somewhat bit extra about templates as a result of I feel this is among the large strengths of Notion. And I do know that there appears to be a capability to share templates as a result of I’ve used templates that different individuals have created. I haven’t gotten excellent at creating my very own templates but however this has been on my listing as a result of plenty of the issues I do are repetitive. And creating them as a template, like a every day to do listing or weekly planning for my workforce, issues like that, it appears actually, actually useful. So, stroll us by some great benefits of templates and the best way to form of determine the best 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’ll be able to construct out no matter you need your pages and tables to seem like, after which you’ll be able to truly share that complete setup with different individuals. And so, while you say you’ve introduced templates into your system, that’s what you’re speaking about there. There’s truly a solution to share it on the internet. And while you first go into Notion, you’ll be able to, like, click on the duplicate button on a shared template and it’ll switch that complete setup into your setup. So once I work with shoppers privately, that’s typically what we do is as soon as I get them arrange with the fundamentals, they usually’re rocking and rolling, they usually’ve obtained the technical expertise down, which solely takes, , an hour or two to do, then we switch my template into their system. My template’s somewhat little bit of a whopper, proper, as a result of I, , do that day in and time out. And that’s one solution to type of streamline issues is to search out an individual that you just like Notion already, , both through YouTube or no matter, after which both buy or search for a free template which you could switch in your system. It’s an enormous time saver as a result of these templates, in the event that they’re designed 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 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 small 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 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, 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 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’ll be able to 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, once I began new issues, say, I’ve a brand new gross sales plan or one thing like that, I even have prefilled questions that I like to verify I ask. And so, once I begin a dialog of that nature, I can simply press a button on that desk, launches a brand new web page, with all of these questions preloaded… So I don’t even have to consider it. One other manner could be perhaps, like, you’re operating a podcast, for instance, sure steps that you just comply with 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, , content material calendar to your month or your quarter may open that up and also you’d have all new checkboxes to begin your move of data. And I’m utilizing checkboxes simply to make the instance. However your templates can get actually 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 truly wants. It may be tremendous easy with simply a few checkboxes, all actually highly effective, and you can use it to handle a workforce or run a enterprise. After which the third one, like, so many templates… So the third sort of template is definitely what we name a template button. And a template button is a very completely different form of characteristic in Notion, the place it simply exists on the web page and you may put something into it that you just 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 do this. And you may form of sneak them in all through. And so, if there’s sure issues that you just do on a repeated foundation, however perhaps aren’t so complicated, that it’s value placing them in their very own desk, then you’ll be able to, , 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 actually. Does this…? Can notion combine instantly with different programs that folks may be utilizing? As an example, 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 power to embed plenty 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 form of narrows all the way down to what you want. One of many issues you are able to do is you’ll be able to, like, embed a Google doc, or a picture, or a lot 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 12 months. So, fingers crossed someday earlier than the top of subsequent 12 months, we’re gonna even have true integration with different purposes. However proper now, standalone. And I’ll say, although, every time I’ve had that, like, once I used to do it or a few of these different apps which can be on the market to assist meet my life, I all the time 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 just about, like, over-integrating issues. So, in some methods, I’m form 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 every little thing in there after which probably not with the ability to use it to execute on the issues that you just wanna be capable to do.
Katie: That’s superior. I do know one other form of unrelated factor that I take advantage of it for that I most likely may determine the best way to templatized higher, however that I like to recommend to folks that may be a brand new one, even for you as I take advantage of it to do one thing known as the Feynman method. And I maintain 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 somewhat bit on the podcast earlier than however the Feyman method is principally the concept that you might have realized one thing when you might have the power to obviously and concisely clarify it to a toddler. And fortunately, I’ve a lot of kids to truly observe this and clarify to on daily basis. However that is one thing I do every time I learn a brand new e book or watch a TED speak or be taught a brand new idea by researching or actually delve into the research on a subject. And I discover it actually helps recall. However by committing 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 keep in mind one thing from a e book or from an idea that I’ve realized, it’s in a single place, and Notion offers me an excellent place to trace all of those. After which I can even, like, simply discover them to share them, if I must with my workforce or no matter it could be. In order that’s a tip I like to provide mothers is it actually helps I discover improve recall and creativity. And when you’re not a giant fan of writing, you should utilize 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’ll be able to put it in Notion. In order that’s form of like the way you mentioned you employ 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 objectives, and I do too, however I’ve a sense you’re gonna have some ideas of higher ways in which I could be utilizing this to trace objectives. So, do you construct templates for that or how do you map out after which maintain observe of objectives inside Notion?
Sandra: Yeah. So, monitoring of objectives, I do OKR course of, which has been actually revolutionary for me personally, as a result of I all the time discovered SMART objectives to be somewhat too bossy, if you’ll. I’m a insurgent at coronary heart. And so, the second somebody tells me what to do, I are likely to do the alternative. So SMART aim 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 while you make the aims, the type of inspirational/aspirational issues that you just’re making an attempt to do in your small business or your life, the impression that you just’re making an attempt to have, the main focus, and also you set these up first, instantly having key outcomes, that are basically SMART objectives, they’re well timed and particular, it feels much more approachable to me. And there are issues that I actually care about. So I’m capable of, , harness that energy. And so the best way 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 mother and father use it. It’s only a neat methodology for planning the best way to truly end the issues that we begin, proper? So, the best way I take advantage of the momentum planning methodology 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 must, , replace this factor or analysis this factor, no matter, the duties I must deal with. After which, to make it much more sturdy, 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 part 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 aim, but it surely takes off, like I mentioned, that point strain, 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 already know, a few of them have checkboxes, a few of them have tables, a few of them simply have quotes to remind me of issues. So it’s a really fluid course of by the point it will get to areas, but it surely permits me to separate out issues I care about that I wanna be intentional about from precise measurable spindles that I’ve in my enterprise. And all of those tables, very areas of my system. So all of them seem in my weekly evaluation. They seem on… A few of them are on the every day web page or I even have two different dashboards that I take advantage of after the every day web page on a day after day foundation. They usually’re known as the Right now Web page and The This Week Web page. And people principally enable me to have, like I mentioned, time-based perspective on what it’s I’m making an attempt to create.
Katie: I 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 truly very related to folks as nicely, so far as planning long-term issues with our youngsters, actually 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 making an attempt to be taught and preserving 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, basically, are for preserving observe of issues like Christmas reward concepts or reward concepts, basically, for all my children. I’ve issues like that as a result of they have a tendency to say issues all year long. After which moderately than having to consider them, simply presently of the 12 months, additionally issues like home updates and initiatives issues I must, 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 observe of these items or how would you set that up?
Sandra: Yeah, so that is the place Notion can actually be a whole, like, life working system. And I say that… And, , I’m all the time very… I work with plenty of inexperienced persons and plenty of proper mind type of artistic thoughts map sort individuals. And so I’ve a delicate spot for them. And I do know that saying the phrase working system isn’t all the time attractive to everyone. However on the identical time, it’s only a manner of harnessing all that creativity and all these concepts you might have, and placing the 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 maintain 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 form of amused myself with is I arrange a complete desk that’s, like, I name them weekly quests. And it’s principally a gamified model of preserving observe of all of the issues that I don’t need to do on daily basis however I must do just a few occasions per week. And principally the best way 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 offers me a bonus. And of this outdated gamified factor with formulation in there that simply amuses me to no finish. And it truly encourages me to do these items 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 all the time really feel like, oh, that is, like, yet another factor I’ve to do. The important thing factor for me with Notion, like, I truly need to open it on the weekend, which I’ve by no means felt earlier than with every other app. So, by way of, like, attending to a extra sensible reply to your query, one of many issues that I take advantage of or that I did at Notion this 12 months that was tremendous useful is we moved.
And so not solely did I’ve in there our lists of we had been searching for in a home and, like, our preferrred, , options and what had been the prerequisites, individuals stored observe of the dialog, the realtor and, like, the entire homes we visited, form of like doing a professional con listing on them. After which when it obtained time for the transfer, I did a complete stock. So I numbered all of the bins. After which once I packed a field, I simply made, like, a 3 phrase or a 3 sentence, only a actually fast… What am I 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 capable of after we moved, and it’s like, okay, we’d like no matter, the espresso grinder. I may truly 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 observe down, , 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 somewhat bit, however I wanna make certain we are saying explicitly is that as a result of Notion is an app, it has each desktop and cellphone interfaces after which, after all, they sync. And in order that’s been actually useful to me as a result of, as an illustration, like a number of the issues we’ve talked about, like meal planning, I can pull that up once I’m on the retailer. I can work on these items once 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 all the time with me. And so it’s tremendous handy that manner however then it’s straightforward additionally to work on a desktop while 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 maintain a paper journal once I’m on the cellphone, oftentimes, as a result of I’m displaying someone else the best way to use Notion. So we’re of their Notion setup. However I discover it useful for my mind to write down some issues down. After which I’ve a course of on the finish of the week, the place I form of undergo that listing and make it possible for every little thing’s in Notion the best way I need it to be and that, , I can maintain observe of all of the little particulars and the nuances. So, I discover it to be a extremely fluid factor by way of, , some days I’m in there, like, actually nearly all day. Now granted, I’m a Notion marketing consultant in order that is sensible. However even on days once I’m engaged on different issues or serving to someone with a web site or different enterprise programs, I’m nonetheless out and in just about all day. And I’d say the opposite two issues I’ll throw out, I like that you just talked about the net, desktop, cellphone, and it really works on iPad very well. In actual fact, they’ve made plenty of enhancements within the final couple of months on the way it works on iPad. And so, it’s like nearly so many enhancements that I 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 already know, the most recent replace for iOS truly 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 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 every day, fast seize, and my at the moment web page plus just a few others. And I even have that widget proper on my cellphone 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 a lot of, like, , you’re not locked into solely being in your browser, solely be in your desktop, you might have a lot 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 clarify solely, 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 just 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 by the way you assist individuals with that and the sources you might have.
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 ready up somewhat discussion board on my web site so if anyone’s desirous 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, yow will discover Twitter at notionnerd and Instagram @notionnerd additionally. So the easiest way to search out me is on sandrahalling com. And when you put in /wellnessmama, you land on a web page that can have some attention-grabbing info that’s, like, geared in the direction of serving to households. And I truly would like to have a workshop subsequent 12 months, particularly with that as a goal. So I’ll put in somewhat factor that if that’s of curiosity to anyone, they will enroll and let me know. Major methods I work with individuals proper now’s by enterprise teaching and programs 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 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 consumer join their Google calendar with their iCloud, with their Macbook, with their cellphone, like, all these little doodads go collectively. And so Notion is type of like one piece of the puzzle for me, but it surely spine of the programs I arrange. So, once more, yow will discover me on the internet at sandrahalling.com or on Twitter or Instagram at notionnerd.
Katie: Excellent. I’ll make certain these are linked right here. And one other query I like to ask on the finish. You talked about one already, but when there’s a e book or numerous books which have had a dramatic impression in your life, and in that case what they’re and why?
Sandra: Yeah. So, I’ve to say that one of the vital impactful books for me is “Getting Issues Achieved,” which is type of a traditional within the productiveness area. So, I discovered it most useful or most impactful within the sense that it taught me the best way to group, and categorize, and course of info in a manner that I hadn’t seen earlier than. And it got here out once I was fairly younger in my profession, I feel I used to be about 20 or so. So it simply hit me on the proper second to create what we’ve now, which is, , database marketing consultant now for a few years. So, that was actually impactful. And clearly “Begin Ending” is form of an excellent instrument now. I feel “Getting Issues Achieved” 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 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 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 taking a look at my life holistically, offers me a need 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 make certain these are linked within the present notes as nicely. I’m so glad I obtained to share extra about Notion at the moment as a result of like I mentioned, it’s a instrument that I discover actually invaluable. And I additionally one, I really feel like I’m not utilizing them as a lot as I might be. And I’m excited to have realized extra from you at the moment. And hopefully shared a brand new useful resource with lots of the individuals listening that may simplify their lives. However thanks to your time at the moment and for all of the work you’re doing.
Sandra: Thanks a lot, Katie. It was plenty of enjoyable.
Katie: And thanks guys, as all the time for listening, for sharing your most useful useful resource, your time with each of us at the moment. We’re so grateful that you just did, and I hope that you’ll be a part of me once more on the following episode of “The Wellness Mama Podcast.”
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