The Mind Your Time Podcast | Empowering Entrepreneurs to Streamline, Scale, and Live Their Legacy

Make Your Business Work For You — So You Can Enjoy Summer Too

• Shannon Baker | Business Operations Strategist • Episode 210

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Summer isn’t a threat to your business! It’s actually the perfect season to reclaim your freedom.

You don’t need to keep grinding through the heat or watch your progress slip away while you’re trying to unplug and spend time with your family. In this episode, I’m challenging the idea that your business has to run your life and showing you exactly how to flip that script.

This is just what you need! Whether you’re just getting started or you’re a six-figure entrepreneur who’s tired of playing catch-up and ready to run your business on your own terms. 

If you’ve built something you’re proud of but still feel like you’re stuck in the day-to-day, this episode will help you see that you don’t need to choose between growth and freedom. Because systems and routines aren’t about restriction. They’re the foundation for your peace of mind and the key to creating the impact you’re meant to make. 

So if you’re craving time to breathe, to be present with your family, and to live your legacy instead of just building it, this episode is your permission slip and your roadmap to get started. No jargon. No fluff. Just straight talk and practical steps you can start using today to streamline your business without burning out.

Here’s what we’re unpacking today:

2:00: Escaping hustle mode - Learn how structure, intentional time management, and a complete mindset shift transformed my approach to work and rest

6:40: Fully stepping into my vision – Discover how everything finally aligned and why I’m here to help you navigate your own journey

9:00: Why structure gives you freedom – Ditch the hustle mindset and see how intentional planning can create more time for what matters most

10:09: Member transformation – Hear how Jasmine went from overwhelmed and reactive to calm and in control by using the resources and systems in the membership to take charge of her summer and her schedule

12:02: The role of routines in sustainable scaling – How small daily habits can fuel your productivity and protect your energy all summer long

13:07: The power of simple systems – From client intake to daily operations, learn why documented workflows are your secret weapon for staying in control

14:22: Streamlining Challenge – Discover how this simple tool can reduce mental bandwidth, set clear boundaries, and let you take charge of your schedule with ease

Related Episodes Mentioned:

Episode 173 - Is Your Business Growth Stuck? Implement These Six Core Systems

Resources Mentioned:

🔧 Ready to simplify your back office and finally feel in control?

Join The MY-T Society Systems & Sanity Suite, your space for smart systems, sanity-saving tools, and real support. You’ll get plug-and-play templates, strategy driven resources, and access to expert guidance so you can run your business like a pro without the overwhelm.

🗺 Feeling stuck in the weed

Let me know your thoughts! Click here to send me a text.

Leave a Rating and Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/mindyourtime

Additional Resources Available:

Tired of feeling overwhelmed by the back end of your business? It’s time to take control. Grab my free audio masterclass, The ABC Guide to Streamline Your Back Office, and start freeing up your time today.

Let’s connect online:

Follow Me On Instagram: @the_shannonbaker







Speaker 1:

If you've ever felt like summer means you have to choose between growing your business and actually enjoying the warmer weather with your family, this episode is for you. We're going to talk about how you can streamline your business this summer so you can actually enjoy time out of the office and beyond without sacrificing growth or your peace of mind. Welcome to the Mind your Time podcast. I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee loving host and business operations strategist. If your business feels chaotic and you're tired of spinning your wheels, you're in the right place. Each episode contains both strategies and practical insights rooted in my power and motion framework to help you streamline your operations, reclaim your time and grow without burnout. So, whether you're just starting out or scaling the six figures and beyond, I'll help you simplify, set boundaries and build a business that works for you. So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive in. I remember the first summer after I cut back my hours at my full-time job, which was also mostly remote, and I thought I could finally enjoy the flexibility I'd craved for years. I envisioned myself sleeping in a little, taking spontaneous weekday trips with my daughter, maybe even working at the beach with my iced coffee, but that's not what happened in any way, shape or form. Instead, I found myself scrambling to keep up. My email inbox was overflowing. I had no real systems to keep things moving when I wasn't working, and I felt guilty every time I stepped away to work on my business, even though summer is supposed to be fun, right? Even though summer is supposed to be fun, right. Well, I learned something very powerful that year Running a business without back-end systems is like trying to hold water in your hands. No matter how hard you try, things slip through the cracks. That was when I realized that I was in hustle mode and I needed to build a business that supported my life instead of draining the life out of it, and that would require structure, being intentional about how I use my time and, most importantly, a mindset change was required. I had to be willing to shift the way I thought about work and rest.

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To give you a little bit more context about my journey in case you're new to the podcast, I've been an entrepreneur for over 25 years. I've done wedding and event planning, floor design. I even sold Tupperware and Mary Kay, and while I loved these creative ventures, they didn't actually give me the freedom that I was looking for. In fact, they actually took up more of my time, which meant less time for my family. And all of this was happening while I was working full-time as an executive assistant, which was demanding in itself. At first, the busy pace it didn't bother me, but once my daughter started school, I started to see just how much my business was running me, instead of the other way around. So one day, I was enjoying a cup of coffee with a good friend and she suggested that I use my skills and experience to start a virtual assistant business. Being the analytical thinker that I am, I had never heard of this. So I sat in my cubicle, frustrated, craving control of my time, and I decided to do some extensive online research. Then I talked to my husband and in 2012, I launched my virtual assistant business while continuing to work full time, and I thought that that was finally going to be the thing that would give me back control of my time and it did.

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Until it didn't, I have to toot my own horn for a moment and say I'm good at what I do and my business grew very quickly. But before long, I was stuck in that same cycle chasing money, recreating the will for every client, spending way too much time on freebies, buying eBooks and DIY courses that didn't give me real results, or at least they didn't last. Six years later, I was burned out and started questioning if I should just shut it all down and focus on working for someone else. So after I talked to my mentor, she told me something I will never forget. She said don't quit Shift. So that summer, I took a step back. I spent more time with my daughter and I gave myself space to really think about what I wanted. I invested in coaching, I got clear on my mission and purpose and I finally started creating systems in my business so that it could support the life I wanted to live.

Speaker 1:

And in February 2019, I burned it all down. I ended all my contracts and decided it was time to reevaluate what I wanted, to get really clear on my mission and my vision and design a business that actually supported the lifestyle that I wanted. If I was going to even start a new business, I had to be very clear. So I went back to work part-time to give myself time to really think through it, because in the end, we still had bills to pay. So in 2021, I decided to throw my hat back into the arena and I started the Shannon Baker, but I kept it very general because I wasn't sure where the journey was going to take me this time.

Speaker 1:

So over the next few years, I invested in quite a few paid strategy calls, which helped me get really clear on my mission, my vision and my purpose, and it shaped the way that I updated my services, and it even shaped and reshaped this podcast. I didn't just want a business this time around. I wanted to make sure my business was aligned with my values and would truly give me the freedom that I wanted and deserved, because I was determined to prioritize my faith, my family and myself. That clarity became the foundation that this business is built on so fast. Forward to 2023, I left that part-time job for good and fully stepped into a business that is built on strategies and systems. February 2024, I launched TSB Management Solutions, and everything I do now is aligned and based on my power and motion framework. That's my signature process. That reshaped my consultant services. It reshaped this podcast and the content that's on it. It also helped me revamp the Mighty Society Systems Insanity Suite. Everything is built on that framework, including my success up to this point, and I felt obligated to share everything that I've learned on my journey so that you can understand I get you, I know the struggles, and you don't have to figure this out on your own. That's why I'm so passionate about helping you streamline your business to actually live your life this summer and beyond. Actually, because I know what it feels like to be stuck in survival mode, wanting a better way to do things but not knowing where to start, and that's what the founder circle inside of the Mighty Society Systems Insanity Suite is all about. But I'm going to talk about that more later.

Speaker 1:

Right now, let's talk about the season that you're in. This episode is intentionally timed for the season where many of us feel pulled in multiple directions. Right, the weather is warmer, the days are longer, the kids are out of school or about to be out of school, your clients may be traveling more, whether it's for conferences or taking vacations, so work for them is going at a slower pace, and you're probably craving more space to enjoy the summer weather as well. And guess what? None of that is a problem. It's actually an opportunity. You just need to take advantage of it Now. I'm sure you've heard the phrase summer slowdown before. This slower pace is your chance to reset, realign and set up systems that are going to serve you long term, way after the warm weather is gone. But we need to start by shifting the way you think about this season.

Speaker 1:

Summer isn't about just taking time off and losing momentum, and it's not about falling behind. It's about creating room for what matters most. The truth is, you can absolutely take time off, enjoy time with your family and still keep your business moving forward, but only if your business has systems that support you. So let's talk about what that actually looks like. If you don't already have a weekly planning routine, now is the time to create one, and I don't want you to overthink it. Set aside 20 to 30 minutes every week and just sit down, look at your calendar, list out your priorities and block out time for things that matter both in your personal life, but do that first and then work on what you need to do for your business. My motto is structure gives you freedom and systems are self-care. So I time block my calendar year round, but I adjust it based on the season that I'm in. During warmer months, I shorten my work blocks and the hours that I work, and I intentionally schedule more life-giving activities like coffee dates outside with my girlfriends or meeting new business owners, walks outside, day trips to the beach or just simply time for me to unplug. And inside the systems and sanity suite, we use planning templates to help us map out our week so that it reflects what's happening in real time, not just some ideal version of it. That doesn't really work.

Speaker 1:

And let me tell you about one of the women inside of the membership. We're going to call her Jasmine. When she joined the Systems Insanity Suite, she was feeling completely overwhelmed. She had just launched her VA business. She was juggling client work, kids at home and a to-do list that never seemed to end. Does that sound familiar? Is that you? But this is what she did. She kept telling herself she needed a better schedule, but Jasmine's not really good with time management, so she had no idea where to start. So she booked a legacy in motion session with me and that's what a lot of new members do so that they can get a custom roadmap, so that they know where to start to build their back office. But that two hour conversation really helped her get a clear picture of what was happening in her business behind the scenes.

Speaker 1:

We quickly realized that she didn't have a solid onboarding workflow, which is common. Her schedule was overloaded with administrative tasks that could be automated that's also common. And she wasn't building in any time for rest in her schedule that is definitely common. But here's what's really powerful Within just a few weeks of using the resources inside of the membership along with her action plan, jasmine's energy completely shifted. She started using the planning guide to create a lighter summer schedule. She used the summer hours message template to communicate the changes to her hours to her clients. She got clear on her weekly priorities. She blocked her time accordingly and she built in protected rest days, and for the first time, she felt like she was the one running her business, not the other way around. She even told me she didn't realize how much she was holding on to until she finally had a system that helped her breathe again.

Speaker 1:

And that's what I want for you. That's why the second strategy is all about routines. Now, no, you don't need to overhaul your entire life or your business. Just start with one small shift. For me, that's my morning routine. Before I even look at my phone or open my laptop, I sit outside on my deck with my cup of coffee and I spend time in stillness that centers me and sets the tone for my day. Or you might be one that prefers an evening routine. Maybe think about putting your phone away 30 minutes before you go to bed, or just have a tech-free dinner with your family.

Speaker 1:

No matter what the routine is that you decide to implement, the goal is not just to protect your time. The ultimate goal is to protect your energy. That's why, inside the Systems Insanity Suite, we treat routines as something that's sacred. They're not just fluffy add-ons and it's not just a buzzword. Routines are essential systems that keep you grounded, especially as your business grows.

Speaker 1:

Now here's where the real transformation happens. If you want your business to run even when you're not at your desk, you need systems. Now, in my world, a system is a documented, repeatable process that you can automate or delegate, and you always have to streamline it. Start with processes that touch your clients directly Things where you can use intake forms. Communication needs to be clear, online scheduling. Now, I know talking about systems can feel overwhelming and, quite frankly, it's boring, but this isn't about building an empire overnight. It's about identifying where you're wasting energy and resources and replacing it with efficiency and consistency.

Speaker 1:

Now, I'm not going to go into the six core systems that you need in your business today, because there are other episodes already available where I really deep dive into them, but I recommend you start with the episode is your business growth stuck? Implement these six core systems. I'm going to put a link in the show notes for you to go listen to that. That's a great place for you to get an idea of the six that you absolutely need to give attention to. But now let's talk about one simple one that you can implement today. It's an online scheduler. That's one of the six systems. It lets people book calls with you on your terms, according to your schedule, in real time, even when you're not online, and you need to use intake form questions to gather the data you need in advance so that you basically screen people and determine if they are even a viable lead that you want to pursue. Most importantly, an online scheduler sets boundaries around your availability and, again, it's convenient for everyone. No more back and forth emails, no more 10 pm messages or DMs inquiring if you're free tomorrow. Little tools and tweaks like this can have a big impact on your mental bandwidth, and inside the systems and sanity suite there are templates and tech walkthrough videos that show you how to set your tools up with ease.

Speaker 1:

So let's recap what we've talked about today. One structure gives you freedom. You need to have a weekly planning routine that accounts for the current season your life is in and helps you prioritize what matters most to you, and you also need to create more space for rest, fun and focus. We also talked about the impact that routines have. Small routines lead to big results. So, whether it's a morning routine that's quiet, or a tech-free dinner or an evening routine, focus on protecting your energy, because this supports your ability to show up consistently without burnout, not just in your business but, most importantly, in your family. And we also talked about how systems simplify everything scheduler, no matter what it is, especially if it's client focused. You need to have repeatable systems in place that allow your business to run efficiently, consistently and smoothly. That way, you can unplug and things won't fall apart.

Speaker 1:

Now let me remind you you don't have to hustle through summer and you don't have to do this alone, and you definitely don't have to choose between running a successful business and enjoying your life. You just need the right systems, rhythms and support. So I have a little homework for you. I want you to block time this week to review your schedule and make space for joy. It won't take long, just 20 to 30 minutes. And make space for joy. It won't take long, just 20 to 30 minutes. Then choose one routine that you're going to implement to protect that time and then audit one area of your business where a simple system could save you hours. Now, if you're listening to this and you're thinking, this sounds great and I want this, but I don't know where to start, I want to invite you to join me inside the founder circle. This is the first step to creating a business that supports your life, especially if you're tired of feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to pull it all together. To find out more about the systems insanity suite, feel free to go to theshannonbakercom.

Speaker 1:

Forward slash membership Now. If you join us inside the Systems Insanity Suite, I've created what I call a starter stack. It's a collection of workbooks and templates that are designed specifically for women like you, who are either building their business from the ground up or just need to revamp some things and shore things up. This isn't about giving you another checklist to download and forget. It's about giving you the exact tools and resources that you need to create systems so you can go from being reactive and scattered to being calm, confident and in control. You'll also get access to many other guides, my guidance, and you'll become part of a supportive community of women who get it because they're walking this path too.

Speaker 1:

Now remember when I talked about Jasmine. Her story is proof that you don't have to keep guessing. She joined the membership feeling like she was drowning in to-dos and she ended up with a workflow that gave her back her energy, her weekends and control of her time. That's what's waiting for you when you decide to stop piecing it all together on your own and holding it together with duct tape. If you're ready to finally build your business with intention without burning out, join us inside the founder circle. A link to join is in the show notes. If you have questions or you just want to talk about how the membership can help you personally, send me a DM on Instagram at the underscore Shannon Baker. I'd love to hear from you and get those questions answered so you can take action today.

Speaker 1:

Now, that's it for today. I want you to remember your business can support your life, but you have to take the first step to make this happen this summer. So until next time, keep calm and streamline. Thanks for hanging out with me this week. If you've made it this far, it's clear you're ready to shake things up and take control of your business, and I'm here for it.

Speaker 1:

But remember just listening to this episode won't get you better results. I challenge you to break the mold and take action today. Your next move let's connect Head to the show notes and book a call with me to learn how the Mighty Society membership can help you streamline your back office and reclaim your time. If you're not ready for that step yet, no worries. Connect with me on Instagram, at the underscore Shannon Baker, and tell me what resonated most from today's episode. And if you're loving the podcast, leaving a review is a quick way to show your support and help more entrepreneurs like you break free from the chaos. Listening is great, but action creates transformation. Go, make it happen. And until next time, keep calm and streamline.