on the list 📝

Claire Baker on hybrid list models and giving up alcohol

hello!

Claire Baker is the Australian founder of Cycle Coach School, a Virgo, has lived in London for the past decade and only recently relocated to Sydney. She is one of my first and best ‘internet’ friends. We met in 2012 through an online business course and have held each other through the highs and lows of running global digital businesses, breakups, cross-content moves, and so much more. Our relationship is forged on existing side-by-side on the electric edge of life, so I had to kick off this brand new on the list series here at her way club with this interview. I am so excited to read and share with you how she manages her lists and life.

What’s on your to-do list today?

1. Workout

2. Plan the first couple of episodes of my new podcast, CB’s Book Club

3. Start on the syllabus for a self-study version of my facilitator training program

What’s one thing you’ve already crossed off?

Workout! I did a low intensity 25-minute kettlebell session. But if I’m honest with myself, it’s already 3pm and I don’t see much more happening today, ha!

a peek into the list and Claire’s breakfast; did she colour code the pen, bowl and ribbon bookmark on purpose? being a Virgo, it’s highly likely…

Do you write lists on paper, in notes, in your head, or not at all?

I have quite the hybrid model. I use a digital to do list on Notion that works as my brain dump — everything that I think, “Oh I need to do XYZ” I add it to that list and give it a deadline and “project”, then Notion tells me every week what’s coming up that I might’ve forgotten otherwise.

At the start of every month I type out a monthly list of both personal and professional to do’s, under categories like “Admin”, “Cycle Coach”, “Substack” or “Health & Beauty”, “Relationships, “Creativity”, etc. and I print this off to keep it in my eye sight.

My weekly and monthly lists happen pen-to-paper in my planner. On Monday, I take a look at my Notion and printed monthly list, then I write out everything that needs to happen that week directly into my planner and on specific days. Then daily I usually just write 3 things down on a colourful Post-It, stick it somewhere I’ll see it and try not to look at anything else!

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

It changes all of the time; most often it’s take my BBT, then my thyroid medication, then scrape my tongue and have a big glass of water. I’m currently in a phase of then going back to bed to read a chapter of a book and delaying turn my phone on for as long as possible!

the bedside table ~ looks like it came straight out of Pinterest

What’s always on your bedside table?

In this moment? A little monstera plant, a BBT thermometer, my journal and a pen, IVF hormone medication, a remote for fairy lights, magnesium oil spray, melatonin, and ear plugs.

How do you like your mornings to feel?

Slow, gentle, warm, optimistic.

What’s in your mug or on your plate today?

Breakfast with overnight oats with chia, full fat yoghurt and berries. I’m in a caffeinated chapter of life, so a little piccolo too. Lunch was rice with salmon, sliced red cabbage, goats cheese and spinach, with this delicious poppyseed salad dressing my parents recently gave me. A guy who grew up down the street from me makes it — he’s become super successful selling it actually, it’s very popular in my hometown and beyond, so I appreciated the gift. Dinner… no idea yet!

please feed me Claire! (also, do we need a link to this amazing salad dressing?)

Something you’ve stopped doing and don’t miss?

I had to come back to this great question as nothing immediately springs to mind. If I zoom out over a greater time period, then not drinking alcohol at all regularly is a big one. And checking emails on my phone, though again, that’s been many years. Probably using social media so much; I took an 8-9 month break this year from Instagram and that was great, but I am posting there again. No app on my phone though, that’s the trick!

What are you working on that excites you right now?

I’m in a Spring phase with a bunch of projects that I’ve had on the back burner for AGES and have just decided to give the green light. Still unsure if I have the capacity for them, honestly, but they’re fun so I’m hoping they nourish > drain. One is a podcast dedicated to the reading life, exploring how the books we choose are like a mirror for who we are and who we’re becoming. I honestly see reading as a revolt against the fast pace of modern digital living and I think books are so so special. The second project that excites me is a fun Instagram account my friend Nat and I set up to celebrate sauna culture and share the saunas around the world that we love! No agenda beyond sharing what we love; feels like how social media used to feel using it like that.

How do you know you’re in alignment in your work?

When I notice I’m not constantly seeking advice elsewhere. Things just feel right. Doesn’t mean it’s always easy, and actually I’ve had many seasons of “alignment’ where I’ve made less money, or worked more hours than I normally like to work, or had to have some really difficult conversations with team members, etc. but there’s a sense of “rightness” that supports me when I’m not over-thinking things, and ease usually follows.

How do you rest or recharge during the day?

Walking, working from bed, naps, reading, stopping to eat lunch in the sun.

How do you like to end your day?

I’m quite into an evening walk at the moment. I’ve just moved to a new neighbourhood in Sydney (Australia) and it’s been lovely to explore it as the sun is going down. The Jacaranda trees are flowering in this wild and vibrant purple, and it’s just so so beautiful to see them bloom beside the old Victorian terrace houses that remind me so much of London.

Otherwise: cooking, eating, cleaning the kitchen and bedroom before bed (I like waking up to a clean home), watching an episode of something, maybe a bath, all the boring stuff like washing faces/teeth, etc. and then without fail every single night my partner and I play backgammon in bed while we listen to a podcast; usually history, politics or something funny. He always wins. I’m usually half asleep by the end of the game!

What’s currently on your nightstand/playlist / altar?

I’m in my Bossa nova era. Try Fly Me To The Moon by Astrud Gilberto.

Thank you for sharing your list with us.

Thank you for asking me to share! This felt like it was 2014 blogging days again and so fun to respond to.

Last question ~ what links can people find you at?

Website — http://clairebaker.com
Substack — http://substack.clairebaker.com
Instagram — http://instagram.com/_clairebaker_
Cycle Coach Facilitator Training — http://cyclecoachtraining.com