“Best Laid Plans” is an anti-productivity hack book: author Sarah Hart-Unger offers a practical, doable guide to annual, quarterly-or-so (see the book!), weekly, and daily task management that can work for anyone. Hart-Unger’s thesis is that systems make life simpler, not by avoiding anything, but by trusting that everything is captured and dealt with. She offers advice and anecdotes to get her points across, helping readers build a more intentional life. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review **
This is a refreshing, practical guide to goal setting and time management that actually feels achievable. The chapters are organized around real-life scenarios, from planning for big projects to carving out personal time in a busy week. I liked the mix of structured advice and personal anecdotes—it makes the strategies feel more relatable. The tone is warm but not preachy, which made me more likely to apply what I read. By the end, I felt like I had a realistic toolkit I could use right away. A smart, motivating read for anyone who wants more intention in their days.

I think this book offers a very thorough, step-by-step system for planning and organization. I especially appreciated that the author provides flexibility and clear explanations about why certain approaches may or may not work. Additionally, I like that the author isn’t hokey or overly promotional—this isn’t just an attempt to sell a paper planner or constantly plug a business.

I picked up a few insightful ideas, but for the most part, I didn’t find the content particularly groundbreaking—especially since I’m already familiar with David Allen’s work, which the author references a few times, and a few other planning systems. I also think the book could benefit from some restructuring. Including figures, tables, or charts to illustrate key concepts could make it more engaging and less text-heavy, helping to hold the reader’s attention.

Overall, I think Best laid plans can be very helpful for readers who are new to productivity and planning.

(I got the eARC from NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks and Sarah Hart-Unger for the copy.)

Best Laid Plans by Sarah Hart-Unger is an inspiring and practical guide for anyone looking to bring more intentionality into their daily life. Sarah’s clear, encouraging voice makes planning feel approachable, not overwhelming. I especially appreciated her thoughtful insights on goal setting and time management. As a longtime listener of her Best Laid Plans podcast, it was a joy to see her wisdom come to life on the page. Highly recommend for fellow planner lovers or anyone looking to get more organized with less stress!

Thank you for allowing me opportunity to review this book. I am an avid planner, as well as it being a hobby. Sara has put this book together very well. It is a step by step thorough walk through of a very efficient system. I love her nested goal system. I will definitely be trying this.
This book is easy to read with great examples and ideas for you to use so we can give our brains a rest.
I will definitely get myself a copy of Best Laid Plans for future reference. Thank you