As she walks the complex path of academic research and the joys of motherhood, Tania also delves into the digital world, creating innovative Notion templates that bring organization and creativity to life.

Her templates are reflections of her life’s passions and pursuits. From balancing her rigorous academic commitments to nurturing her growing wellness and growth consultancy business, Tania is the epitome of a modern-day multitasker.

Join us as we explore her journey from discovering Notion to becoming a template creator who eases the lives of others, all while juggling the demands of motherhood and academia.

Q: How did you first discover Notion, and what drew you to it?

A: I discovered Notion through a YouTube video a little more than two years ago. I was at the time searching for an organization tool because I had just given birth and was starting my third year of college. I almost immediately understood the potential of Notion and quickly set it up. However, my first system was not nearly as effective as today!

Q: Could you share a bit about your journey into creating Notion templates? What inspired you to start this?

A: When I knew creating Notion templates was actually a thing, I was kind of drawn to it but I did not have time at all to do it (4th-year student in a challenging degree + mom of a 1-year-old). Over the summer, I gave it a try and enjoyed doing it. What keeps motivating me is knowing how many people can get a little bit more organized life with my products.

Q: What does a typical day in your life look like?

A: I don’t have typical days because motherhood is not predictable. 

But usually, I would wake up around 5:45 to spend some family time until 7:30.

Then I usually work on my college assignments in the morning, and on my business in the afternoon. I plan my tasks on Sundays so it’s quite easy to get to work.

Around 4 pm I stop working and get to house chores before spending some more family time until 8 pm. 

I try to always be free of work or school activities after 8 pm to have some self time because it’s what keeps me productive.

Of course, when I have classes, my schedule might change a bit but the 2 hours for myself in the evening are non-negotiable.

Q: Can you walk us through your ‘School Hub’ template? What unique features does it have that cater specifically to students?

A: The “School Hub” is the evolution of a system I’ve been iterating for 2 years and what got me through my master degree with great grades. It’s an all-in-one system with two versions to allow every student to access it, no matter their financial needs. 

It holds everything a student needs to have a smooth academic experience with a task manager, an assignment tracker, …

One of my preferred features is the “study” assistant that gives you details about every aspect of your college life at a glance.

Q: The ‘Time-Blocker” sounds fascinating. Can you explain the concept behind it and its key components?

A: The “Time-Blocker” was the harder one for me to create. I was annoyed by taking time off my day to organize it on calendars such as Cron with time-blocking. Time-blocking is an organization technique I like to use when I have a lot of work and different tasks to be sure everything fits in my day and to reduce my decision fatigue, not wondering what my next step is. And I noticed over X that it was an issue many faced.

That’s when I had the idea of this advanced task manager. The idea is to be as simple as easy to use but super powerful. That’s why it works with only 4 buttons.

The point is for the user to simply add in their tasks and meetings and the template does all of the work by offering to them the most efficient way to spend their day!

Q: What does your process for creating a new Notion template look like, from the initial idea to the final product?

A: Usually, I create Notion templates I already use or would have a use for. I identify something I struggle with and try to find a way to make it easier in my day. With this approach, I guess that others might face the same pain point. 

Once that pain point is diagnosed, I plan out what features would be needed, and create the databases, relations, properties, etc …

For the visuals, I have a standardized template to make it easier for me to do and easier for the user who downloaded many of my templates.

On each one of my templates, I always add an “assistant” to summarize every information over the pages.

Q: Can you share a personal habit or practice that has significantly improved your productivity or organization?

A: It will not come as any surprise I guess but normalizing taking time off has been a huge yes for my productivity. At first, as I was a subject to toxic productivity, I would feel guilty, especially if my to-do list was not empty or my house was not perfectly cleaned. It took a lot of effort on my side to be able to take time off. My best recommendation would be to start small with like a 10-minute walk with no headphones and grow from there.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start creating their own Notion templates?

A: If I were to give out advice to someone wanting to start creating Notion templates I would say two things : 

Q: What’s your favorite way to relax or destress?

A: It depends on the days and what I have been up to and working on. But watching some series and reading some books are really in my top 3.

Q: Can you share a goal or dream that you’re currently pursuing?

A: I’m about to graduate. January is my last month of studying (like ever) and then I’ll write my Master’s thesis until June. Then I want to be a PhD candidate which has been my primary goal for a few years now as I love doing research and teaching.

As our conversation with Tania comes to a close, we’re left inspired by her dedication and versatility. From dreaming of a political career to flourishing in the realm of academic research, from mastering the art of Notion template creation to embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood, Tania’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptability and passion.

Her story is a vivid tapestry of ambition, creativity, and resilience, reminding us that with the right tools and mindset, balancing life’s multiple roles is not just possible but also immensely rewarding.