Why Paper Planning Still Works Better Than Digital

Are you constantly interrupted by household stuff all week long? The emails from school, the forms that need signing, the bills that aren't on autopay, the portals that need checking. For years, I was handling these things every single day, either stopping what I was doing or carving out time each afternoon to stay on top of it all. But here's what I finally figured out: most of that stuff didn't actually need to be done that day. It just felt urgent because I didn't have a system for it.Today I'm breaking down what I call my Household COO time. It's a dedicated block of time (usually about two hours) that I schedule once a week to handle all the household coordination stuff that piled up during the week. This one shift has changed my stress levels, my focus during the week, and honestly got rid of a ton of resentment I didn't even realize I was carrying.In This Episode, I'll Cover:What Household COO time is and what goes into itHow to decide what needs handling now versus laterThe three places to collect everything that piles upWhy making this work visible changed everything for my familyHow batching saves time and reduces daily interruptionsJoin the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook ________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

There's this weird pressure to go fully digital with your planning and note-taking, like using paper somehow means you're falling behind. But despite spending over 20 years working in tech and running a digital business, the two most critical tools for staying on top of time and maximizing productivity are actually paper and pencil. It's not about being old-school or resistant to technology. There's actual neuroscience behind why your brain works differently when you write things down versus typing them out.Today, you'll discover the three brain benefits that make paper planning superior for retention, memory formation, and focus. You'll also learn when digital tools are the better choice and how to use a hybrid approach that gives you the best of both worlds. If you've been trying to force yourself to go fully digital but something just isn't working, you're about to understand exactly why.In This Episode, I'll Cover:The neuroscience behind why handwriting creates deeper retention than typingHow motor memory and spatial anchoring help you remember betterWhy paper reduces distractions and helps you prioritize informationWhen digital tools actually win and when to use them strategicallyThe hybrid approach that combines the brain benefits of both methodsJoin the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Your boss just dropped three more projects on your already overflowing desk. When you express concern, you're told to "just be grateful for the opportunity." Your to-do list would take 42 hours to complete, but you only have 20 hours available this week. A productivity guru tells you "you can do anything if you just stay positive" and that positive thinking will make everything magically fall into place. You're drowning in overwhelm, but everyone around you keeps saying you just need to "choose joy" and "focus on abundance."This isn't a mindset problem. It's a math problem. And toxic positivity in productivity culture is gaslighting you into thinking you're failing when the real issue is that you've been handed an impossible equation to solve. In this episode, I'll cover:3 toxic positivity messages keeping you stuck and the harm it causes What realistic optimism actually looks likeThe difference between being realistic versus making excuses3 self-check questions to spot when you're caught in toxic positivity thinkingWhy setting boundaries based on reality isn't negative, it's honestJoin the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

If you've ever caught yourself saying "I'm so busy" like it's some kind of achievement, this episode is calling your name. Monica Virga Alborno, founder of Wanderwild Family Retreats and former Fortune 500 energy engineer, joins me to talk about why moms tend to wear busyness as a badge of honor and what it's actually costing us. This isn't about adding another two-hour morning routine to your already packed schedule. Monica shares practical five-minute resets and why normalizing rest for our kids might be one of the most important things we do. Plus, you'll hear about her incredible family retreats that actually let moms vacation WITH their kids without the exhaustion that usually comes with it.In This Episode, I'll Cover:Why we wear busyness as a badge of honor and how to break that cycleThe difference between a "busy" day and a "full" day (and why it matters)Practical five-minute rituals to create spaciousness in your overwhelmed lifeHow living abroad shifted Monica's perspective on American mom cultureWhy asking for help doesn't make you lazy or less capableWhat family retreats that welcome children can teach us about slowing downConnect with Monica: www.wanderwildfamilyretreats.comwww.instagram.com/wanderwildfamilyretreatswww.substack.com/@wanderwildfamilyretreatsJoin the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook ________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

When did we all collectively decide that December 31st gets to define whether we succeeded or failed this year? December 31st is just a day. It's not a final exam, it's not a measure of your worth, and it definitely doesn't get to be the weapon that determines if you had a good year or not.Right now, your inbox and social feeds are probably flooding with "finish strong" messaging. And if you're like most women I work with, you're looking at your goals, trying to enjoy the holidays, and feeling behind. But what if the problem isn't you? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what's happening with this toxic messaging and what you can do instead to actually feel good about your year.In This Episode, I'll Cover:Why December 31st isn't actually a report card for your yearThe problem with "finish strong" messaging and why I refuse to participateWhat steady state planning is and how it's different from sprinting to deadlinesWhy moving a goal date doesn't make you a failureHow to look at your year without tying everything to one arbitrary dateJoin the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

If your mornings feel like a logistical nightmare and every week brings new arguments over the same unsolved problems, you're not alone. Between school pickups, work meetings, and trying to keep everyone on schedule, it's easy for families to fall into patterns of conflict and power struggles. But what if there was a proven, neuroscience-backed system that could reduce fighting, build connection, and actually teach your kids (and spouse) problem-solving skills?In this episode, I'm sitting down with Tia Graham, a Certified Chief Happiness Officer, bestselling author, and expert in the science of happiness. Tia shares the collaborative problem-solving method that transformed her own family, especially when traditional parenting tactics weren't working. Whether you're dealing with morning meltdowns, bedtime battles, or recurring disagreements with your partner, this framework will help you stop the cycle of frustration and start building stronger, more connected relationships at home.In This Episode, We'll Cover:Why traditional parenting methods (rewards, consequences, timeouts) often make things worseThe three-step collaborative problem-solving frameworkHow to identify unsolved problems versus focusing on behaviorsThe importance of letting solutions be a compromise, not all your wayConnect with Tia:www.tiagraham.comwww.instagram.com/tiaegrahamwww.linkedin.com/in/tiagrahamOvercoming mom guilt resource: www.tiagraham.com/overcoming-guiltJoin the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook ________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

You've made the plan. You felt good about it. But now you're staring at it, not doing it, and beating yourself up for lacking willpower or discipline. Here's the truth: there's no planner, app, or productivity hack that's going to make you follow through. The real breakthrough happens when you stop asking others what you're doing wrong and start asking yourself the right question instead.In this episode, I'm breaking down why you're not following through on your plans and walking you through the exact question you need to ask yourself (and only yourself) to finally get unstuck. Because the answer isn't external. It's already inside you.In This Episode, I'll Cover:Why asking others for help with follow-through is the wrong questionThe one question that changes everything about executionCommon reasons we avoid doing what we planned (and what to do about them)How to make intentional choices instead of guilt-driven onesWhy motivation won't save youJoin the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

If someone asked you right now what your time is worth, could you answer them? Most women can't. And that's a problem because when we don't know our worth, we make decisions from guilt and obligation instead of strategy and self-respect. We say yes to things that drain us, we hold onto tasks someone else could handle, and we feel guilty about investing in help that would actually transform our lives. Whether you're managing a household, running a business, or doing both, understanding the actual economic value of your time changes everything about how you show up and what you prioritize.In this episode, I'm walking you through two powerful exercises that will completely shift how you see your time. First, we're calculating what it would cost to outsource all the caregiving and household work you're currently doing (spoiler: it's probably over $200,000 a year). Then, if you're a business owner, I'm showing you exactly how to figure out your real hourly rate so you can make smarter decisions about where to spend your time and money. This isn't about guilt. It's about getting clear on your value so you can finally make decisions that honor it.In This Episode, I'll Cover:Why the caregiving and household work you do is worth over $200,000 annuallyHow to calculate the economic value of replacing everything you do at homeThe exact formula for determining your actual hourly rate as a business ownerWhy knowing these numbers changes your decisions about outsourcing and investing in helpHow to stop making choices from guilt and start making them from strategyMentioned in the Episode:Hourly rate calculator (for business owners): https://www.megansumrell.com/calculatorJoin the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook ________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

"ADHD is a superpower."I used to say that too. I was coached to tell my daughter that her ADHD brain was special, powerful, a gift. But when Kristen Carder said "Actually, no it's not, and that's okay," something clicked for me. Because here's what we don't talk about: telling someone who's struggling just to get out of bed on time that their brain is a superpower? That can feel like toxic positivity wrapped up in a bow. It dismisses the very real daily struggles that come with ADHD.This conversation with Kristen, certified life coach and host of the I Have ADHD Podcast, completely shifted how I understand ADHD procrastination and motivation. If you've ever beat yourself up for procrastinating on the things you care about most, if you've ever wondered why you can't just find the motivation to do what you know you need to do, or if you love someone with ADHD and want to actually understand what they're going through, this episode is going to matter. Kristen gets real about why procrastination has nothing to do with laziness, why motivation is basically useless, and how building emotional resilience is the actual key to getting things done. This one's important, friends.In This Episode, We Cover:Why the "ADHD is a superpower" narrative can actually be harmful and what empowers people insteadThe truth about ADHD procrastinationWhy waiting for motivation is a trap and what to fuel your actions with insteadWhy the right things in life almost always feel terrible and that's completely normalConnect with Kristen:Website: www.ihaveadhd.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/i.have.adhd.podcastYouTube: www.youtube.com/@i.have.adhd.podcast Podcast: www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-have-adhd-podcast/id1446874607Join the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook ________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

You know that feeling when you create the perfect plan for your week, and then by Tuesday everything has already fallen apart? Maybe your boss changed priorities, your kid got sick, or three unexpected things landed on your plate. So you tell yourself planning is pointless and just stop doing it altogether. The planning systems you've been taught were never designed for the life you're living.Most planning advice out there assumes you're working with a perfect week. But you're not living in a perfect world. Your life has turbulence built into it, and that's not your fault. In this episode, I'm breaking down why traditional planning fails women with unpredictable lives, and I'm teaching you how to create plans that actually work with your reality instead of pretending next week will magically be different.In This Episode, I'll Cover:Why traditional planning systems fail women with unpredictable livesThe pilot analogy that changes everything about how you view planningHow to create an "emergency fund" with your time (not white space)Why abandoning planning means abandoning control of your destinationThe exact mindset shift that lets you plan for turbulence instead of perfectionJoin the FREE One Notebook Challengeand Kiss your Notebook Clutter GoodbyeFebruary 2-6, 2026www.megansumrell.com/onenotebook________________________________💻 Free Training Overwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining ________________________________ 📱 Get The Pink Bee App Access planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu ________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell