I cannot believe this is episode 200!

This is an incredible milestone we've reached together and in this special episode, I'm reflecting on the journey that got me here, sharing lessons, wins and strategies to help me build a business aligned with my values. So, whether you have been my ride or die from the beginning or you just started tuning in, this episode is about celebrating progress, embracing the power of small wins and taking intentional steps towards your goals. Welcome to the Mind your Time podcast. I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee-loving host and business operations strategist. Each week, I'll share practical insights and bold strategies rooted in my power and motion framework to help you streamline your operations, reclaim your time and build a business that supports your life. Whether you're just starting out or scaling to six figures and beyond, these episodes will help you take control and create success on your own terms. So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive into today's topic. Wow 200 episodes.

I cannot believe that we've reached this milestone together. You know, when I started this podcast in 2020, my goal was very simple was to share what I had learned as I built my business, which is aligned with my values. I wanted to help other women avoid the mistakes that I made and find clarity and purpose in their entrepreneurial journey. And over time, this podcast has grown into so much more. It has become a resource for purpose driven women like you who want to streamline your businesses, reclaim your time and focus on what truly matters to you while enjoying the legacy you're building. So this milestone is really it's a celebration not just of this podcast, but of all of us, of all the hard work that we put in. So, whether you've been here since episode one or you're tuning in today for the first time, I want to thank you for being a part of this journey. Every download, every question want to thank you for being a part of this journey. Every download, every question, every comment, review, every DM, every story you share with me over the past four years has helped shape this podcast and contribute to the intentional growth of my business. So reaching 200 episodes has put me in a reflection space. I have looked back over all that has happened for me, how much I've grown while hosting this show, and one of the most monumental achievements in my life was setting and achieving the goal of leaving my part-time job. That goal was the catalyst for refining the Power in Motion framework that I've been sharing with you for years. But today that framework is not just the foundation of my business. It's a roadmap to help you create sustainable success, and I'm excited for what the future holds for both of us.

When I first set the goal of leaving my part-time job I'm not going to lie, it was a big goal. I had a few clients, I had family responsibilities, which have continued to grow, and I had a part-time job that was pulling me in different directions and I often felt stuck because at the time I was also volunteering in my ministry and I still do that. So I had a lot on my plate and doing all these things and trying to grow a business. There were frustrating moments when, honestly, I wanted to give up, but I knew deep down that my goal was possible. But I also realized I had to stay focused on what truly mattered. So the first step in my framework, it is pick one goal, and that was transformational for me Leaving my part-time job. It wasn't just about giving myself more time, it was about creating the freedom I wanted to grow my business very intentionally while being present for my family. That clarity it helped me ditch the hustle mentality and stay laser focused on building a business that served my spirituality, while creating wealth for myself and for others. And I'm not talking about financial wealth. I'm talking about wealth enjoying life, being truly fulfilled. But to do that, I had to put on blinders and ignore the noise of what everyone else was doing, and that wasn't easy. If you've ever felt like you're being pulled in a million directions, know this. Clarity is not just powerful, it's achievable, and it's the first step to creating a business and a life that you actually love.

Now the next step in the process is I had to organize my operations, so I had to look at my systems and made sure that they would support my goal. I realized I couldn't spread myself too thin if I wanted to leave my part-time job and grow my business without burning out. So I had to focus my energy on one thing, and that was this podcast. I decided I wouldn't post all the time on social media or really work at getting new clients, because I didn't have the capacity and, honestly, I was really refining my services at the time. So getting more clients and adding more to my plate really would have just delayed my progress and making that decision. That was a huge shift for me, narrowing my focus to the podcast allowed me to be consistent, refine my messaging and lay a strong foundation for what was coming next. It wasn't just about creating systems. It was about giving myself permission to let go of the things that I should be doing and focus on what aligned with my capacity and my long-term vision. Once I had those systems in place and I had that clarity and that focus, I got to work on the plan in place. And I had that clarity and that focus, I got to work on the plan.

This third step was about breaking my goal into small, actionable steps that were manageable and wouldn't leave me feeling overwhelmed. So I set clear income milestones, I planned how I was going to transition my clients either out of my business or to my new services, and I had honest conversations with my husband so that I could create a financial plan. And I made some big financial investments in the business because I knew I could not do it alone. Those investments helped me make sure the podcast became a powerful sales tool which it has and that launching a membership was a viable and marketable idea. And it was. And these were not easy decisions, my friend, but they were so essential to the success that I experienced.

But then the hard part came. I had to execute consistently and let me tell you, there were moments when I felt like giving up because it really seemed like I wasn't getting any results, but I kept reminding myself that consistency was the key to success. So I leaned on a few women in my community that I trust they cheered me on, and I used strategies like batching tasks together in my non-negotiable three rule, which is focusing on just three tasks that will have an impact every day, so that I could keep moving forward, no matter how small the things were. What kept me going on the toughest days was my wall of wins. Every time I achieved something, no matter how small, I wrote it down and stuck it on the wall where I could see it. Seeing those wins reminded me that I was actually making progress, even when it didn't feel like it was coming fast enough or was big enough. Those small reminders was the boost that I needed to keep going. And then I finally got to the last step in my process Remember, refine and review. And this step was about checking on my progress regularly, each week, each month, each quarter, each year, celebrating milestones along the way and making adjustments as they were needed. Those small celebrations again reminded me of why I even started this process and it kept me motivated, so I would stay the course.

And here's something I've never shared on this podcast. Before my part-time job actually became a crutch. It was a blanket of security, but it was false security, and it held me back from fully stepping into my business and what I really wanted Eye-opener. When the company started changing its policies and demanding more of me than I was willing to give, that lit a fire in me and I was determined. Now I'm going to reach my goal. That push accelerated my efforts and gave me the clarity that I needed to leave that job for good.

So when I finally reached my goal, it wasn't just a win for my business. It was a win for my family and for my future being able to have control of my time and focus on what truly mattered to me. That was, building a business that was aligned with my values, supporting my family, being there when they needed me, being able to truly focus on my ministry and creating something sustainable for the long term. So, looking back, I realized that achieving my goal it wasn't just about reaching the destination. It was really about the journey, the habits I created, the mindset shifts that I had to go through, and building systems along the way, and those systems became the foundation of the Power in Motion framework, and that's why I'm so passionate about sharing this with you. I've seen, I've experienced firsthand how it can help you go from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to building a business that truly works for you, because it's not about doing more, it's about doing what matters most.

Now, as we celebrate this milestone together, I want to answer a few of your questions that I asked for, because they highlight the challenges that all of us face as entrepreneurs. The first question is how do you stay productive when you don't have a set amount of time to work without being interrupted? And this was submitted by a new mom, so this is something that I've struggled with too, especially when my daughter was younger. So my advice whether you have littles at home or not, if you have a tight schedule, limit what you're trying to do, pick one non-negotiable task every day and then use small pockets of time, like 10 to 15 minute sprints, to work on that one thing and you will make progress. Trust me, it works. And if you're part of the Mighty Society membership. The goal setting worksheets will help you prioritize what matters most to you. If you have questions about that, feel free to DM me and we can talk about it some more Now.

The next question is how do I know what to delegate, delay or delete and I love this question because it's one of the most powerful shifts that you can make in your business. Fun fact, this question actually inspired me to create a new resource inside of the Mighty Society membership, because this question was posed by one of the members and, as I thought about how to answer, I realized so many of us need a clear process for simplifying our workload. So I created the Task Audit Workbook. It walks you through evaluating your to-do list and categorizing tasks into three buckets delegate, delay or delete. It's simple, but it's effective. So here's an example.

When I was working toward my goal, I realized I was spending a lot of time editing my podcast episodes myself, and let me tell you, I love playing with tech and being creative, but I knew that I needed to delegate some things and get them off my plate. So I delegated editing my episodes to my daughter, which freed up time each week that I could use to focus on podcasts content and refining my messaging. Delegating that task really was a game changer because it gave me, while it was a small pocket of time, it was still more time and mental space so that I could prioritize the big picture goal that moved me forward in my business. Now, if you've been feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list, the Task Audit Workbook is a resource that will help you simplify and take control of your time and, again, it's available inside of the Mighty Society.

Now the final question is how do you stay consistent when life gets busy? Well, this is something I've had to learn through trial and error. But here's the truth Consistency is not about perfection. It's about having a plan and sticking to it as best you can. Take it from me, because I am a perfectionist in recovery and I had to do a lot of work with getting comfortable with something being good enough and not perfect.

But I've also found that batching tasks is one of the best ways to stay consistent. For example, I dedicate specific blocks of time to individual tasks that I have to complete for this podcast, and they're small batch time periods. So what I do in advance is brainstorm the ideas and topics for the quarter. Then, once I have all of those together. I then work on my batches. So one day I'll batch script writing, another day I'll batch record multiple episodes at one time Right now that's two at a time. That's my capacity. Then I'll batch create images for the blog posts as well, and honestly, I don't always get to publish every week. Sometimes I'm a little behind, so I will actually batch publish when I get behind. So I will actually batch publish when I get behind.

This process minimizes me having to switch my brain from task to task, because then you lose momentum and your brain has to reset for the new thing. So this helps keep me on track. Another strategy again that I use is my non-negotiable rule of three. On even the busiest days, I just choose three small but impactful things that I can focus on in my personal life first, and then I see what time is left for business, like right now, one of my top three is getting in my workout so that I can be healthier and, most importantly, so that I can be healthier and, most importantly, give yourself some grace, girl, because things are not going to always go as planned. Adjust your timelines when you need to, and remember flexibility isn't failure. It's a part of the process. The key is to keep showing up, even in small ways, because those small, consistent actions add up to big results.

Now, before we wrap up, I'm going to do a quick recap of what we've talked about today. First, I shared my journey behind my big goal of leaving my part-time job and how the Power in Motion framework was the key to making it happen. That framework helped me stay focused, be intentional and be consistent as I work toward my goal. I also talked about actionable strategies, like using 10 to 15 minute sprints in the non-negotiable rule of three, so you stay productive even when your work time is limited and you can't work the same schedule every day. I also talked about the importance of systems and how you need to prioritize what matters most to you instead of trying to do it all Now, during the Q&A, I talked about some common challenges, like figuring out what to delegate, delay or delete, and I introduced that fabulous new resource that's inside of the Mighty Society membership the Task Audit Workbook, which was created to help you simplify your workload and focus on what truly moves your business forward.

Now you know I wasn't going to let this episode end without giving you a challenge. I want to hear from you. Dm me on Instagram and tell me which part of my journey resonated with you the most. Was it the clarity I gained by focusing on one goal for an extended period of time? Was it the shift that I made by letting go of what didn't align with my capacity? Or maybe it was the power of celebrating small wins along the way? Whatever it is, I want to know how it connects to your journey and if you're ready to take the next step and simplify your business and reclaim your time, join us inside the Mighty Society membership. We would love to have you.

There are tons of resources in there that task audit workbook, the 90-day goal setting worksheets, templates so many different resources. You'll have everything that you need to streamline your workload and focus on what truly matters to you. So go to theshannonbakercom forward, slash membership today and join us, or click the link in the show notes. And, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you again for being part of this incredible milestone in my journey as a podcaster. It's been amazing and I'm looking forward to the next 200 plus episodes and the amazing journey we have ahead. So that's it for today. 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. 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.

If you're an entrepreneur that is tired of being stuck in the weeds, working hard but not seeing the results you want, this episode is for you. Today, we're going to talk about how disorganization and broken systems might be holding you back and how you can make small changes that give you better results. So, whether you're struggling to stay productive or just craving more freedom in your business, this episode will give you actionable steps so you can reclaim your time and finally create a business that works for you. Welcome to the Mind Your Time podcast. I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee loving host and business operations strategist. Each week, I'll share practical insights and bold strategies, rooted in my power and motion framework, to help you streamline your operations, reclaim your time and build a business that supports your life. Whether you're just starting out or scaling to six figures and beyond, these episodes will help you take control and create success on your own terms. So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive into today's topic. Are you feeling buried in the daily grind of running your business in the weeds, so to speak, wondering why all the effort that you're putting in isn't paying off the way you had envisioned? Well, let me ask you this. What if the issue isn't how hard you're working, but it's because you're trying to build your business on a shaky foundation because you don't have the right systems holding it up? Think about that for a second. You're hustling, you're showing up, you're putting in the hours, you're losing sleep, but you're not seeing the growth you want. If that hits home, you're definitely in the right place, because today we're going to talk about how you can turn your back office chaos into a strong foundation for growth and freedom, using my power in motion framework, because it's time for you to stop spinning your wheels and start building a business that works for you, not the other way around.

Picture this you wake up ready to take on the day. You fix your morning cup of coffee, you do a little journaling or Bible reading as you sip on that coffee and enjoy the quietness in the room. Then you get ready to start your day. You've got it all planned out. You're determined. You're going to check off every item on your to-do list, but by noon you're overwhelmed. The emails keep coming in. You've had to put out several fires for a client and then you find out that a major process is broken and you don't know how to fix it. Does that sound familiar? It's okay, I've been there too. This is actually where a lot of entrepreneurs get stuck, because they're juggling everything, feeling pulled in every direction and left wondering why they're still in the same place that they were six months ago. I get it Again. I've been there.

I remember one morning that I sat down at my desk staring at a sea of files on my desktop. I needed to find a contract for a client, and after 10 minutes of searching, I couldn't locate it. Not only was I frustrated, but it also drained my energy and my productivity. At that moment, that's when I realized that my digital clutter wasn't just annoying, it was costing me time and keeping me from being productive. So let's do something about that right now.

If this is something that you've been putting off, here's a quick one challenge for you. Take a look at your computer desktop. Is it covered in random files and icons? If it is, I want you to pause this episode and create one folder call it ORGANIZE ME, and I want it in all caps, so that this folder stands out. Then take a deep breath and drag every single file on your desktop into that folder. Now, this isn't about perfection. This is about making progress, and progress beats perfection every time. Once you've done that, I want you to look at your clean desktop. It feels good, right? Well, that's our ultimate goal with getting organized having clarity that creates mental space for what matters most to you. Now imagine what getting organized could do for your entire business when you create systems that work. Now I'm going to share a true story with you that shows the power of getting organized.

One of the first projects that I tackle with every client is digital organization. For example, I had a client who had a six-figure business and it was growing fast. Now, on the outside, her business looked successful because it was at least on the books. Her clients loved her work because she was good at what she does. She still is, and her calendar is always booked in advance. But behind the scenes, it was absolute chaos. She had two Dropbox accounts, two Google Drives and no clear separation between her personal and her business documents. Her digital files were scattered across random folders or in no folders at all. Her calendar was a total nightmare of overlapping meetings. She was always overbooked and her client onboarding process, which was non-existent, was so inconsistent that she always forgot steps and this always caused complications. Later she was overwhelmed, exhausted and constantly worried about dropping the ball, because she did a lot. She spent more time putting out fires than actually doing productive work, so her business wasn't just chaotic, it was really running her into the ground.

So our first project was cleaning up her desktop and her digital files by separating and consolidating everything into a single system. That's where we implemented what I now call a power week. We tackled her digital junk drawer head on, organizing everything into a system that worked for her, and it has been a game changer From there. We were able to create streamlined and repeatable processes, including the onboarding process, and that removed the guesswork from her operations. Now, for the first month, everything was working well. For the first time, she felt like she finally had her business under control. But then chaos started creeping in. Does that sound familiar? So at our 30-day check-in call, we dug into what was happening and she had an aha moment. She had started slipping back into her old habits and wasn't using the system the way we built it to work. But once she recommitted to the process and made her systems part of her daily routine, letting them do their job, everything changed. Within a few months she was sticking to her office hours, taking unplugged weekends and vacations with no laptop and no stress, because she knew her business would keep running without her.

That's the power of combining systems with discipline. Systems only work if you let them. They don't restrict you. They actually create space in your daily life, and that space gives you the freedom you want and need to focus on what matters most in your life and in your business. And this transformation ties directly into the Power in Motion framework, because it's not just about organizing your files. It's about building a solid foundation in your business that sets you up for long-term success. Now, if you're curious about all five steps of this framework and how they work together, I go into each of them in detail in another episode, which is the ultimate end-of-year planning framework to build momentum for next year. I'll put a link in the show notes so you can check that out later.

Now here's a hard truth. I don't want you to have to learn this the hard way. Without systems, your business isn't scalable. Actually, it's a house of cards that can fall apart very easily. Every minute you spend on things that could be automated or delegated, it's not just time wasted, it's time that is stolen from the things that matter most to you. That's your health, your family and growing your business.

So let's flip the script. Imagine freeing up just two hours a week. What could you do with that time? Maybe it's taking a walk to clear your mind and getting more movement. Maybe you can enjoy an uninterrupted coffee break or lunch out with a girlfriend during the day, or finally being able to sit down and read that book that's been sitting on your nightstand for months. Those two hours is not just time saved. There are moments you can reclaim for yourself. But guess what? None of that is possible without systems. Now would it be helpful for you to have access to resources that make this process a little bit easier for you? Well, inside of the Mighty Society membership, I've created workbooks, templates and other resources that will not only help you build systems tailored to your unique business and its needs, but there are resources in there to help you learn how to make time for yourself and practice self-care daily.

These aren't cookie cutter solutions. They're designed to help you streamline your operations and reclaim your time, and, once your systems are in place, discipline is what keeps them working for you. This is how you build sustainable growth not by working harder, but by working smarter. But systems are only part of the equation. Let's talk about your mindset. Systems won't fix the chaos you're experiencing if you're stuck in survival mode, and this is where the three C's come into play. That's calm, clarity and commitment. Being calm protects your energy and helps you stay grounded when things feel overwhelming. That's why my tagline is keep calm and streamline. And then clarity that helps you stay focused on solving the right problems instead of spinning your wheels and wasting time on the wrong ones. And commitment well, this is a game changer. Commitment turns your progress into lasting success.

Now, there is one thing that I've noticed all of my clients have in common that keeps them from sticking to their systems once they're in place. It's fear. Whether it's fear of letting go, fear of trusting someone else, fear of trusting the system or fear of failure, they experience either one or all of these things and they start slipping back into their old habits. So, whether you experience one or all of these, fear will keep you clinging to the chaos and then accepting it as a normal way of living, and we don't want that. Here's the thing, though. Discipline. Don't want that. Here's the thing, though Discipline it's not restrictive, it's actually liberating. Discipline allows you the space that you need to focus on what matters most while letting go of the rest. That's what real self-care looks like for us as business owners. It's being able to say I matter enough to create a business that supports my life, not the other way around. So here's something else I want you to do for your next quick win Grab the BizOps checklist via the link in the show notes.

In less than two minutes. It's gonna help you pinpoint exactly where your systems are leaking time Spoiler alert. You're going to feel the same sense of clarity that you got from cleaning up your desktop, but on a much bigger scale, when you complete that checklist. Now, if digital file clutter is what's holding you back, then that's where a power week comes in. It's a focused work week where we map out what you want your filing system to look like, and I do the heavy lifting and clean up and organize your digital files while you spend your time somewhere else. It's the perfect solution if you want to start with a clean slate and then build from there.

Now let's do a recap of what we talked about today. First of all, being disorganized leads to chaos, which is what's holding you back, but systems and discipline unlock the freedom that you desire, and systems are not just good tools to have at your disposal. They are the foundation of growth, the keys to clarity and freedom. We also talked about the mindset shifts that you need to embrace to make it all work Keeping calm to protect your energy and keep you grounded, having clarity to solve the right problems and be productive. And then being committed to making changes, not slipping back into your bad habits. So the progress that you've made leads to more success, which is what you want.

Now it's time for you to take action. Whether you download the Biz Ops checklist, join us inside the MY-T Society, reach out to me on social media to get your questions answered, or book a call with me to see what option is best for you, take the first step so that you can build a business that supports you. Remember, systems create clarity, and clarity creates the space for your business and your life to thrive together. So don't let another week go by without taking action. Start getting your systems in place. You have the power to create a business that supports your life and your values, so let's make it happen together.

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. 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.

Hustle culture has you believing that the grind is the only way. But what if that's the very thing that's holding you back? Well, today we're busting three myths that are draining your time and energy and keeping you stuck in chaos. I'm going to show you how to reclaim your power with bold boundaries, intentional income and simple systems that work for you. Let's shake things up. This is an episode you don't want to miss.

Welcome to the Mind your Time podcast. I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee-loving host and business operations strategist. Each week, I'll share practical insights and bold strategies rooted in my power and motion framework to help you streamline your operations, reclaim your time and build a business that supports your life. Whether you're just starting out or scaling to six figures and beyond, these episodes will help you take control and create success on your own terms. So grab your cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive into today's topic.

What if I told you that the hustle is the biggest lie entrepreneurs have ever been sold, that working harder and longer it's not the path to success, but it's really got you on the road to burnout? Hustle culture tells us that freedom comes from grinding 24-7. But let's be real. We didn't start our businesses to work endless hours and still feel like nothing's working out. You started your business for freedom freedom with your time, freedom to make your own choices and to be free in your life to live it how you want. So why does it feel like your business owns you instead of the other way around? Well, imagine this it's late at night, you're sitting at your desk or in front of the TV with your laptop open, trying to wrap up client work that you promised you would finish days ago. Everyone else is asleep, so the house is quiet and you can't help but wonder is this really what you signed up for? Be honest, does that sound familiar? Well, if it does, it's okay. You're not alone. I've been there too.

There was a time when I was in that hustle mindset, thinking that being constantly available was just part of running a business. I thought it meant that I was serving my clients well, being reliable, and was building trust. But here's what I learned the hard way Always being available is not sustainable. In fact, it's the fastest way to burn out and it's a disservice to your clients. When you're always available, you sacrifice the things that make you your best self. You skip meals, you don't get enough rest and you don't make time for your family or yourself. So eventually, you're not going to be giving your clients the best version of you. They're actually getting the tired, stressed out and overwhelmed version that's making mistakes. And if you're frustrated with how much they demand of your attention, here's a big pill you need to swallow. You have trained them to treat you that way.

So let's talk about why boundaries in business are so critical. Boundaries are the invisible barrier that lets people know how they can interact with you in a way that respects your time and your energy, and they're not selfish. They're a necessity. Here's something to keep in mind the only people who get upset with you when you put boundaries in place are the ones who benefit the most when you don't have them or don't enforce them.

So again, think back to why you started your business. Was it to work 60 hours a week and miss family dinners and feel like you're constantly playing catch up? I don't think so Now. That might be your reality today, but the good news is you're listening to this episode, which means you're ready to make a change and you can do it. You have the power to decide where you're going to spend your time and energy, and I want to help you take back that control. So here's where you can start. I want you to pick one boundary today. Maybe it's setting office hours. You get to decide when you're going to work and when you're going to stop. Then you need to communicate that to your clients and stick to it. Or maybe you need to set specific times that you check emails and messages on social media so you're not constantly interrupted. Now, if you do that, make sure you set a time when you're going to reply as well and you can schedule email responses. Now it might feel uncomfortable at first, but trust me, when you create that space, you're going to wonder why you didn't do it sooner. That will be your only regret.

Let me share a quick story with you. So a client of mine was constantly working late into the night and through the weekend because she trained her clients to expect her to respond immediately, no matter what time it was or what day it was. So, guess what? She started to feel exhausted and she even started to resent her business. I remember her saying I'm at a point where I don't even like people. So we worked together to implement some boundaries, that's, clear office hours, scheduling check-ins for messages and using a scheduling tool to schedule calls with clients and leads. Within a few weeks, her stress level dropped dramatically. She realized that most of her clients didn't even mind waiting a bit longer for responses. They were just sending her messages when it was convenient for them. So she had been running herself into the ground for absolutely no reason. Is that you? You can change that.

Now let's talk about another myth that keeps entrepreneurs stuck. That's this whole thing about residual or passive income. It's often marketed as the ultimate goal, the dream of making money while you sleep but the reality is it's not magic money. It doesn't just come out of nowhere. What you really need to focus on is creating intentional income. That means that every dollar you earn serves a purpose. It's aligned with your goals, it supports your business growth and it helps you build the life you want.

Now, if you don't have clarity about what you're working towards, it's very easy to fall into the trap of chasing every opportunity that comes your way. So you end up saying yes to things that don't align with your vision, you spread yourself too thin and then you get overwhelmed. This is where the power in motion framework comes in, because it's specifically designed to help you organize your operations, but also make sure it aligns with your life, because when you're intentional about what you're your operations, but also make sure it aligns with your life, because when you're intentional about what you're working towards, you can create systems that supports those goals and it helps you focus on what matters most, whether it's in your personal life or your business. So let me give you a practical place to get started. I want you to put in your schedule 15 minutes that you're going to answer these three questions why did you start your business? How is it serving you and your family right now, and what do you want it to do for you in the long run? Now these questions sound simple, but the answers are so powerful. When you answer these questions, you're going to get the clarity that you need to make some very intentional decisions about where you're going to use your time and energy. One of my clients told me this exercise actually helped her realize that she was spending way too much time on things that weren't moving her business forward. So she shifted her focus and within a few months, she started to see real progress.

Now let's talk about this last myth. It's the myth that you can hire your way out of the mess and chaos that you've created. Now I know how tempting it is to think well, if I just had a VA or virtual assistant, everything else would be easier. But here's the truth If your business is already operating in chaos, don't bring somebody else into that mess. It's just going to make it worse and you're going to make them as miserable as you are. Without systems in place, a virtual assistant is going to spend more time asking you how to do things than actually getting them done, so then you're going to end up micromanaging them and feeling even more overwhelmed and frustrated.

The real solution is to build systems first. Systems are the foundation of a scalable, sustainable business. They allow you to delegate effectively, grow efficiently and you can step away from your business without everything falling apart. Where do you start? Well, start with one area of your business that feels chaotic right now. It might be client onboarding. It might be managing your inbox. You can create a simple, repeatable process for it. Write down the steps, create a checklist or set up some automation. Once you have that system in place, you're going to be able to bring on help, but without the chaos, all right. So let's do a quick recap.

Today, we busted three big myths that might be keeping you stuck. The first one is that you have to be available all the time. The truth is, boundaries are a form of self-care, and they help you show up as your best self, not just for your clients, but for yourself. The second myth is that residual or passive income is the ultimate goal. Instead, I want you to focus on creating intentional income by aligning your financial goals with your personal and business priorities. And then the last myth is that you can hire your way out of chaos.

Building systems first is how you set your business up for sustainable growth and successful delegation, and here's a challenge for you. I want you to take action on one thing from this episode. It could be setting one of the boundaries, it could be answering those three questions to give you more clarity in your business, or you can pick one system that you're going to get in place in the next 90 days. Whatever you decide, remember, small steps lead to big changes, and I want you to experience the relief that comes from taking action and using the control that you have. So if you're ready to simplify and streamline your business, start by grabbing the BizOps checklist. A link is in the show notes. It's quick and easy and it will help you audit your back office so that you can start making intentional changes.

Now I'm going to wrap up and leave you with this you have the power to decide how you run your business. You have the power to decide how you run your business. You have the power to set boundaries, create intentional income and build systems that support your life and allow you to live your legacy. So take the first step today and let's make it happen together. 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. 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.

Have you ever felt like you're putting in the hours but you're still not getting the results you want?

What if I told you the key to bringing that cycle to an end is easier than you think? Well, today we're going to get into the final step of the Power in Motion framework, and that's Remember, refine and Review. This step is a game changer and by the end of the episode, I'm going to share a practical challenge that you can complete this week to set yourself up for success. Welcome to the Mind your Time podcast. I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee loving host and business strategist. Each week, I will share practical insights and bold strategies for six figure entrepreneurs looking to clean up their back office and create streamlined systems. The weekly episodes will help you take control of your time, scale your business and create success on your own terms. So grab your cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive into today's topic. How would it feel for you to finally stop spinning your wheels and start seeing progress that actually moves you closer to your goals? Well, this episode is going to show you how to make it happen.

Today, we're getting into the final step of the Power in Motion framework the R for Remember, refine and Review, and this step is critical to your success this year. By the end of the episode, you're going to have a clear plan to kick off the year with intention. Plus, I'm going to tell you about an upcoming opportunity, available only inside the Mighty Society membership, that you don't want to miss. It's a new year, it's a clean slate, a fresh start and the perfect time for you to pause and reflect. If you're like most entrepreneurs, you are so focused on the day to day grind that you rarely stop to look back at what you've accomplished and determine if your efforts are truly aligned with your bigger vision. And that's what step five in the Power in Motion framework is all about Giving yourself the space to reflect on what's working, what isn't, and how you can move forward with clarity and purpose and get better results.

Take it from me. I know A few years ago, I had a wall in my business. I was busy putting in the hours, but the results just were not happening for me. I really felt like I was running on a treadmill. I was exhausted and I was frustrated because I wasn't going anywhere in my business. Have you ever felt like that? Well, this is what I did.

I decided I was going to pick one goal and focus on that and only that until I reach it. And it took me two years. Yes, two years working one plan, and I know that sounds like an eternity in a world where we're all about quick wins and rapid growth. But being that focus was a game changer for me. Once I picked that goal, I made sure my operations could support that goal. I created a very detailed plan and I executed consistently, which also required me investing in experts with different areas of knowledge that I needed to help me make things happen in my business.

But here's the truth the transformation didn't happen until I started reflecting, refining and reviewing my progress regularly. So here's what I learned during those two years Clarity begins in reflection. Every time I paused to review my progress, I saw small wins that I would have missed otherwise, like being more consistent with my podcast, getting better referrals and steadily growing my downloads on the podcast each week, and I definitely wouldn't have noticed what wasn't working without taking the time to reflect. Those moments of review allowed me to make adjustments, stay motivated and keep moving forward, even though sometimes the progress felt really slow. And let me tell you, when I finally reached my goal of leaving my day job and working my business full time. The sense of accomplishment that I felt was indescribable, because it wasn't just about hitting the target, but it was about the whole experience that I had along the way.

And let me ask you something how often do you take time to reflect on your progress? I mean, have you celebrated any micro wins lately? Well, here's a quick exercise to help get this started. If you're able to grab a notebook and a pen, or just open up the notes app on your phone right now If you're driving or walking, plan to do this later, but I want you to write down three wins from last year. Then write one area where you felt stuck and one adjustment that you can make this month to get better results. Okay, time to do the work. Pause this episode, set a timer for five minutes and do this now. I'll wait, but when you're done, I want you to DM me on Instagram at the underscore Shannon Baker, and share your biggest win with me. Let's celebrate together Now.

Our focus today is on step five of the Power in Motion framework, that's, remember, refine and review. So let's start by talking about remembering, and this goes beyond celebrating wins, though it's an important part of the process. Think about what actually worked well for you last year. Beyond celebrating wins, though, it's an important part of the process. Think about what actually worked well for you last year. Maybe you landed a dream client, or you streamlined a process that made a huge difference, or maybe you just showed up consistently in your marketing. I want you to write it down, reflect on it and let it fuel your motivation for the year ahead. And remember, wins don't have to be big. I mean, did you take a real day off without your laptop? Did you spend more quality time with your family being fully present?

Wins come in all forms and all of them matter. A few years ago, a mentor of mine suggested that I create a wall of wins in my office, and I did that, and I write each win, whether it's big or small, on a two by two card and I clip it to the wall. Seeing that wall every single day reminds me of how far I've come, and it brightens my day when things get tough. Now, if you want to see what it looks like, dm me and I'll send you a picture. Trust me, this practice can shift your mindset and fuel your momentum so you can keep going, but remembering also means reconnecting with your why, why did you start your business? What impact did you want to make? How is your business supposed to support your lifestyle? Your why is your anchor, your North Star, and revising it regularly keeps you grounded and focused. So write it somewhere where you can see it, whether it's on a sticky note in your planner or even on your wall of wins. Put it at the top.

Now let's talk about refining, which is about making intentional adjustments to what isn't working. Maybe you set a goal last year that just wasn't realistic, based on the resources you had available or the season of life that you were in. Or maybe you struggle to stay consistent with the new system you implemented. Well, instead of just throwing in the towel and abandoning those efforts, ask yourself how can I tweak this to make it more manageable, efficient and effective? You know, one of my clients last year wanted to post on social media, but she felt overwhelmed because in her mind, she thought she needed to post every day. And we know what happens she kept trying, but she kept failing. So when we sat down and looked at her content plan, we realized she could achieve the same results by posting two to three times a week with intentional, high-value content. That small adjustment gave her back time and made her efforts sustainable and productive and less overwhelming.

So now it's your turn. What's one area of your business that could use a small adjustment, maybe a simplification? Maybe it's your client onboarding process, or maybe it's your scheduling system, or even your morning routine? I need you to identify it and commit to refining it this month, and, if you need help, there are several resources inside of the Mighty Society membership that are designed to guide you through this month. And, if you need help, there are several resources inside of the Mighty Society membership that are designed to guide you through this process.

Now the last step is reviewing, and this is where the real transformation happens. Reviewing is about regularly evaluating your process and making adjustments along the way, so my two-year journey would not have been possible without regular reviews, and inside of the Mighty Society membership are the 90-day goal setting worksheets, which are designed to guide you through this process. It's the process that I use. The worksheets include daily, weekly and monthly reflections, plus there's a structured review for you to complete every 90 days. This rhythm will help you evaluate your goals, celebrate your process and make adjustments in real time. It's like having a built-in accountability system to keep you on track all year long. Here's a quick tip I want you to schedule a review day at the end of each month. I want you to schedule a review day at the end of each month. Use this time to assess what you accomplished, identify any roadblocks that you encountered along the way, anticipate roadblocks you may come up against in the future, and then map out your focus for the next month. It's one of the most impactful habits that you can build Now.

Before we wrap up today, I'm going to do a recap of all five steps of the power in motion framework. First, you need to pick one goal. So you start with one clear, measurable goal that you're going to focus on for the next 90 days, and I want you to simplify your efforts by putting all your energy where it matters most. Then you're going to organize your operations, audit and align your systems to support your goal. Use the BizOps checklist to help you get started. This step will ensure that your business runs efficiently so that you can focus on growth.

Then you need to work on the plan. Create a step-by-step actionable plan with realistic timelines. A good plan transforms big goals into achievable milestones. Small steps matter. Once you have your plan, you need to execute consistently. Show up, do the work every day with intention. Consistency is where progress becomes inevitable, even if your progress is slow, just be patient with the process. Then you need to remember, refine and review Regularly, reflect on your wins, adjust what isn't working and celebrate how far you've come. This is where the transformation starts to happen, but you have to do the review to notice it. Each step of the Power In Motion framework is designed to help you take control of your time, align your efforts with your vision and build a business that supports your life, not the other way around. And together, these five steps ensure that you're always moving forward with purpose, at a pace that works for you, because this isn't about hustling to the point of burnout. It's about sustainable growth so that your business supports your lifestyle and you can live your legacy.

Now let's talk about what's coming up inside the Mighty Society. This year, we're going to start hosting masterclasses and having some co-working sessions, because I want to make sure that your goals are aligned with what you want and that you can take focused action throughout the year. These sessions are exclusive to members and they're going to be game changers Now. If you've been waiting for the right time to join, it's now. Go to theshannonbakercom forward slash membership and join us today. I don't want you to miss the first masterclass which is happening this month. This is your chance to kick off the year with clarity and get some momentum.

Now, before you go, I have one more challenge for you. Take 15 minutes this week to reflect on last year what worked, what didn't, and how can you refine your approach to make this year even better than the last. Join us inside the Mighty Society membership so you can grab a copy of the 90-Day Goal Setting Worksheets. You also get access to the masterclasses, co-working sessions and an incredible community of entrepreneurs. Growth is so much easier when you're surrounded by people who understand your journey. And don't forget, dm me your biggest win from the other challenge. I cannot wait to celebrate with you.

Feel free to share this episode with a friend or a fellow entrepreneur who you know is ready to start the year off strong, and I hope to see both of you inside the membership soon. Thank you for tuning in this week. Remember, just listening to this episode will not get you better results, so I challenge you to break the mold and take action today. If you're unsure where to start, book a call with me to get your questions answered about the Mighty Society, membership or anything else that I mentioned. A link to my calendar is in the show notes.

Not ready to take that step yet? No problem. Be sure to connect with me on Instagram, at the underscore Shannon Baker. You can ask me your questions there or let me know that you enjoyed the episode by taking a screenshot, sharing it and tagging me. Now, if you haven't already grabbed my free audio masterclass, why don't you just start there? It's a great first step to assess your back office on your own, and this masterclass provides valuable insights and practical steps to help you organize your processes, reduce chaos and improve efficiency. Go to theshannonbaker.com/audiomasterclass Now. If you haven't left a review for the podcast yet, please do so. I would love to hear from you, and it's an easy way to show some love to the podcast and help me reach more small business owners who are ready to defy the status quo. I can't wait to hear from you, so until next time, keep calm and streamline.

Welcome back to the power in motion framework series we've already covered steps one through three, which is pick one goal, organize your operations and work on the plan. And these steps give you the foundation and strategy you need to start moving forward towards your goals. But here is where the rubber meets the road. Step four, execute consistently. So today we're going to talk about the power of continuous action and why showing up consistently is the key to turning your plans into progress. I'm going to share what makes a difference between staying stuck and building real momentum, and these actionable steps will help you keep moving forward. Welcome to the mind your time Podcast. I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee loving host and business strategist, each week, I will share practical insights and bold strategies for six figure entrepreneurs looking to clean up their back office and create streamlined systems. The weekly episodes will help you take control of your time, scale your business, and create success on your own terms. So grab your cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, and let's dive into today's topic.

Did you know that 80% of the New Year's goals are abandoned by February, and it's not because people don't care, it's because they don't have a system to help them stay consistent. Sound familiar? Are you one of the millions of people who start strong only to lose steam a few weeks later, whether it's in your business, fitness or just life, you are not alone. But the truth is, the problem, isn't you, it's your approach. So today I'm calling that out, and we're going to talk about how you can execute consistently so you can finally close the gap between your goals and getting real results. Now, in last week's episode, I talked about working on the plan, taking that big goal that you've set and breaking it into smaller actionable steps. And I talked about how having a clear roadmap to your goal is so worth it, even if it takes you more than 90 days to reach it. It helps you stay focused and will help you move forward. It's really like your North Star.

But the thing is, a plan is only as good as this execution, and this is where most of the failure happens, because this is where the rubber meets the road, and things start to get real. You're excited, you're motivated, and then life starts, life in so you fall off track and you lose the initial momentum. I mean, think about it. I don't know about you, but when it comes to losing weight, I really feel like I'm always starting over. And if you're tuning into this episode, when it goes live, the New Year is right around the corner. It's like next week, so everyone's gonna rush to the gyms, because this is the year, and I say that in air quotes that they're going to lose weight, eat healthier and stick to the plan for good. The motivations there, their excitement is high and their intentions are pure. But what happens? Well, by February, half of those people are already gone, and by March, more treadmills are empty than being used, the meal plans are forgotten, and all that motivation and enthusiasm, well, it's gone.

So let's talk about why this happens. It's not because the goal wasn't important, and it's not because every person didn't have good intentions. It's because most people rely on motivation alone to get them through. Motivation is just a spark. It starts to fire. So it's exciting at first. It's bright. It can be fun, but it burns out quickly if you don't have something to keep the flames burning. So what keeps the fire burning? Well, simply put us three things, good habits, flexible routines and systems. That's what most people miss. So they set big, exciting goals, but they don't have a clear plan for how they'll consistently take action to make it happen.

So let me break this down, because systems are powerful. One, they eliminate decision fatigue because you know exactly what to do and when to do it. Two, they help you create habits over time, so what feels like effort becomes automatic later and then. Third, they help you stay consistent even when life gets busy, because the steps are already laid out, and hopefully you have some automations in place. When you have a system, you don't have to rely on how you feel in the moment to get things done.

Either it's like having a GPS for your business. You always know the next turn to take, no matter what. And as business owners, we do this all the time. Like, maybe you decide you're going to post on social media two to three times a week. Or finally, get that project management tool set up so you're excited about the idea, and you say to yourself, I am all in this time, and for the first week or two, you are crushing it. But we all know what happens. Life starts life and again. Like. Why, I may ask you for some last minute changes. You've got back to back calls because it's your busy season, your inbox is now overflowing, and then either you a kid or a parent gets sick and something has to give. So nine times out of 10, it's that new system or habit that you were working on, and you say to yourself, with good intentions, I'm going to get to it tomorrow, but tomorrow turns to next week. Next week turns to next month, and before you know it, the momentum that you had at first, it's gone, and you move on. I've been there too, and honestly, I'm still there sometimes.

Here's a perfect example, Social Media Marketing has never been my area of expertise, and I don't want it to be in to be real. Sometimes I just don't care enough to prioritize it. I will sit down, I make a plan, and I show up consistently. And let me be honest, and tell you, I do this same thing over and over again. So I will post according to my plan. I will schedule my post in advance for about a week or two, I engage with my audience all the things that we know we're supposed to do. So for maybe a week or two, I'm motivated. But then life starts life in and I look at my to do list, and when it comes to Instagram or any other social media platform, I think I'll get to it later, and then later turns into weeks of nothing, but I do stay consistent with my email marketing and this podcast.

So the problem isn't that I don't know what to do, is that I don't have a good system in place that will help me show up even when I don't feel like it. So willpower and motivation are not reliable strategies, especially for things I'm not naturally excited about. And I'm sure it's the same for you, like for me, it's social media. What is it for you? Here's what I've realized, I can't rely on motivation to carry me through. I have to create simple routines that make it easier for me to follow through. So instead of forcing myself to care more, I focus on what I can do. I plan content in advance when I Can I stick to my time blocks for engaging every day, and I aim to show up consistently in Instagram Stories, daily or regularly, but not perfectly. It's not about loving everything that I have to do. It's about building a system that helps me keep moving forward, whether I have the motivation to do it that day or not.

Think about it like this, if you want to get healthier, you don't just decide you're going to eat better, and magically you have results. I wish that was the case. You have to build routines like meal planning, because you need to get the ingredients you need in advance so that you can do meal prep on Sundays. That way you're not eating junk and you're not grabbing unhealthy takeout when things get hectic, but you've done the work to set yourself up for success by creating habits that make showing up easier. The same principle applies to your business. And I had a client who struggled with this. She actually paid for a solid marketing plan that someone created specifically for her and her business, but her execution was inconsistent. So one week, she would post according to plan, the next week, nothing. She felt like she was failing.

But the problem wasn't her effort, it was her approach. She had a lot of other things she was trying to implement, so she was doing too much at once, so we had to scale it back focus. One was to post three times a week, and they were high quality, intentional posts. Then in her schedule, we set two small, 10 minute blocks of time for her to be on social media and engage with her audience. One was to respond to her comments and DMS, and the other was to engage meaningfully with other people's content, not just liking believing good comments. And the results were almost immediate. Her engagement went up, her stress went down, and for the first time, she felt like she could stick with her plan.

So this illustrates that small, consistent actions make a difference. Here's something that I do that may help you celebrate what I call micro wins. If you complete even one small step towards your goal, like posting once on social media or setting up your weekly reset day, acknowledge it. Don't wait until you've achieved the whole goal to give yourself credit, because progress is progress, no matter how small and celebrating it keeps you motivated to keep going.

So here's a challenge for you. Think about one area of your business where consistency will make the biggest difference. It could be social media like me. And my client, or maybe it's staying on top of your schedule or actually creating one. Maybe it's client communication or getting your digital filing system in order. Whatever it is, start small and focus on being consistent, not perfect. And if you're wondering where you can start again, the biz ops checklist is a great tool. It's a simple, fillable PDF that helps you audit your back office operations and identify what parts need your focus. It doesn't take long to complete, actually less than two minutes, and once you finish, there are reflection questions to help you prioritize where to take action first, so you can start to see results right away. Grab a copy. The link is in the show notes if you haven't done that yet.

And I also want to share one of my favorite routines for staying consistent. It's my Monday weekly reset. I call it my sheEO day. I'm sure you've heard of other people doing this, but I spend 30 minutes looking at my goal, looking at what's coming up for me that week, and then deciding on my top three priorities for the week. I don't pick 1020, or 30 things, just three. This keeps me focused and ensures that I'm making progress on what matters most based on the season that my life is in. And here's the key, it doesn't have to be perfect. Some weeks I do have to adjust on the fly, and that's okay, because I have a plan. The goal is progress, not perfection. So what could a weekly reset look like for you?

Maybe it's going back to that Biz Ops checklist and picking something else to work on. Maybe it's organizing your schedule or mapping out your content for the week, whatever it is, build a routine that helps you start each week with clarity and confidence. So let's recap what we talked about. Motivation fades, but if you have good habits, flexible routines and systems, you can be more consistent. Progress will happen when you focus on taking small, consistent actions, not looking at big, unsustainable efforts, because that can be overwhelming, and having routines like a weekly reset or setting small time blocks to take care of specific tasks is going to help you stay on track even when life gets busy.

So here's my challenge for you. I want you to choose one area that you're going to focus on this week and commit to taking three small steps and then follow through on your plan. Again, that Biz Ops checklist can be your point of reference, because it's quick and easy and will give you the clarity that you need. So you know where to start.

Now, if you enjoyed today's episode, I want you to share with a fellow entrepreneur who could use a little push to be more consistent. And don't forget, next week we're going to cover the final step and the power in motion framework that's remember, refine and review, want to talk about how you can pause, celebrate your wins, learn from your challenges, and then move forward with even more clarity and purpose. So make sure you subscribe on your favorite platform and join me back here next week. Thank you for tuning in this week. Remember, just listening to this episode will not get you better results.

So I challenge you to break the mold and take action today. If you're unsure where to start, book a call with me to get your questions answered about the mighty society membership or anything else that I mentioned, a link to my calendar is in the show notes. Not ready to take that step yet. No problem.

Be sure to connect with me on Instagram at the underscore. Shannon Baker, you can ask me your questions there, or let me know that you enjoyed the episode by taking a screenshot, sharing it and tagging me if you haven't already grabbed my free audio master class, why don't you just start there? It's a great first step to assess your back office on your own, and this master class provides valuable insights and practical steps to help you organize your processes, reduce chaos and improve efficiency. Go to the Shannon baker.com, forward slash audio master class. If you haven't left a review for the podcast yet, please do so. I would love to hear from you, and it's an easy way to show some love to the podcast and help me reach more small business owners who are ready to defy the status. Whoa, I can't wait to hear from you. So until next time, keep calm and streamline you.

If you've been following along with the Power in Motion Framework series, you know we've already covered steps one and two. Pick one goal and organize your operation. These steps are foundational and they set the stage for everything that we're talking about this episode and the next few forward. So if you missed that episode, I highly recommend you pause here and go back and listen so you don't miss any critical steps. I put a link to the episode in the show notes. Now, for those of you who have been following along, welcome back, because today we're moving on to step three, work on the plan. This is where things start to get real. It's the point where you figure out the actions you're going to take, but doing it in a way that's intentional and strategic. So I'm going to walk you through how to break your goal into small, actionable steps, share some of my own experiences with this stage of the process and tell you about a client who used this step to make a major transformation in her business, because I want you to be able to do the same thing.

Welcome to the Mind your Time podcast. I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee-loving host and business strategist. Each week, I will share practical insights and bold strategies for six figure entrepreneurs looking to clean up their back office and create streamlined systems. The weekly episodes will help you take control of your time, scale your business and create success on your own terms. So grab your cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive into today's topic. So in the past few episodes I have been talking about my signature process power in motion, and today I'm going to be continuing that conversation, but we're going to focus on step three work on the plan. Now, at this point of the process, you should have set a clear goal that's meaningful and measurable for you and your business, and, if you're a member of the Mighty Society membership, the 90-day goal setting worksheets are a great resource that you can use for this step. Everyone should have definitely grabbed a copy of the BizOps checklist by now and completed an audit of your back office. That really is the first step that you can take on your own, for free, to get your operations in order so that you can start to build a strong foundation that supports your goal. Now, if you have not grabbed that checklist yet and completed it, I definitely need you to hit the pause button, click the link in the show notes and grab a copy. It's a fillable PDF that you can complete in less than two minutes, but even though you can do it quickly, it's going to give you insight into the gaps that exist in your back office right now, so that you can create a plan that allows you to fill in those gaps, because they are going to negatively impact your ability to achieve your goal.

Now, before we get into this step, let me ask you a question. How often do you end the day wondering what you actually accomplished? Maybe you checked off a bunch of things that you did, but none of them have anything to do with helping you get closer to your goal. I've been there. It's frustrating, right, and it's so easy to fall into this cycle of being busy but not productive and definitely not making any progress. Again, I've been there. It's happened to me in the past and I'm pretty confident that it's going to happen to me again in the future. It's really a part of the growth process.

When I first started my business, I really thought that being busy meant I was being productive. I would work eight to nine hours a day at my day job and I was working full time. Come home, help my daughter with any homework that was left cook dinner and after we ate, I would flip the laptop open and spend hours working on client emails, looking for files or trying to remember where I left off with a project the night before. By the end of the day, I will be exhausted, but I didn't feel any closer to achieving my goals, and the truth is, none of that chaos that I created was helping me grow my business in a sustainable way. It was really just keeping me stuck in the weeds and spinning my wheels.

That is exactly why having a plan matters. I know you've heard this before A goal without a plan is just a wish. Without a good plan, you're just reacting to whatever feels urgent in the moment. And this is what happens when you don't have space to be intentional or strategic. And you definitely can't be proactive without a clear goal, without operations to support that goal and without a good strategy or plan. So let's break this down and talk about what it actually means to work on the plan. So, simply put, it starts with clarity. You have to know what you're working towards. That's why step one of the Power In Motion framework is for you to pick one goal, and it has to be the right goal, based on the season in your life, because if you pick the wrong goal, even having a plan will not matter. Now again, let me remind you if you skip that episode, I need you to go back and listen to it, because everything else that we're going to talk about it builds from there. A link to that episode is in the show notes.

Now, once you have the right goal and you've completed an audit of your back office operations with the BizOps checklist, the next step is to create a plan with small, actionable steps. Think of these as bite-sized pieces that are easy to tackle, that won't leave you feeling overwhelmed. Here's an example If your goal is to streamline your client onboarding process, you might start by breaking it down into smaller steps, like documenting your current processes or the current process, audit that process, identify inefficiencies, choose tools to automate your workflows and then create templates for client communication. Now, each of these steps is manageable on its own and together they're going to get you closer to your goal. But here's where people get stuck they overcomplicate things, they try to tackle everything at once, or they just don't know where to start. So if that's you answer this question what's one area of your business that feels messy or chaotic right now. Maybe it's your onboarding process, maybe it's your digital filing system Could be. You need help figuring out how to manage your schedule, whatever it is. I want you to take a deep breath and remind yourself that you don't have to fix everything all at once. Pick one thing, create a plan, start small Again. That is where the BizOps checklist can help you. This free resource was designed to help you audit your back office operations and identify areas that need attention, and you can pick which ones are most urgent. It's quick, simple and will give you a clear roadmap for what you need to work on to move forward.

So let me share a story about one of my clients and how this checklist can help. When she came to me, she was feeling completely overwhelmed by her business. Her processes were in her head, like most people that I work with, and the biggest pain point was her client onboarding process, because it was a total mess. She had no system in place and every new client meant hours of manual work. And this was a huge issue in her business, because sometimes she has to onboard multiple clients at one time because of the nature of her business. So imagine onboarding two to three new clients and having to recreate the wheel each time. She was constantly missing something and it was taking a toll on her mentally and physically because she was losing sleep thinking about what she forgot to do.

So we started with having her complete the BizOps checklist. This gave us a clear picture of what wasn't working in her business and then, based on her goal, we identified what she needed to focus on first. So we reviewed her results together and she decided to book an SOP efficiency check to get my eyes on her onboarding process and get even more clarity. During that session, I pinpointed very specific inefficiencies and laid out a simple plan of action that she could take. It included things like choose a project management tool like mondaycom or something else, creating project templates, developing reusable message templates and there are a ton of them available inside of the Mighty Society membership that you can customize for your business and even automating intake forms, because they can be rinse and repeat. Within a few weeks, she was on her way to having a streamlined system that saved her hours every month, and it made her clients feel more cared for and she looked more professional.

Now imagine what that kind of transformation could do for your business. What would it feel like to have a plan in place or process in place that actually works, and then have a plan that saves you time and energy instead of draining the life out of you? One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that you don't have to do this alone, and you shouldn't have to waste time searching Google or YouTube to find the resources that you need, and that's one of the reasons that I created the Mighty Society membership. It's packed with resources to help you implement systems, templates you can customize and workflows that you can make your own, but all of it together will make your business operate more efficiently, and on top of that, you get access to live masterclass sessions where we can troubleshoot and refine your processes together.

Here's another thing you need to keep in mind once you create your plan, you have to set realistic timelines. How often have you started working on a project only to abandon it halfway through because it just felt too big or it was overwhelming? That usually happens because we're trying to do too much at one time. That's why I always tell my clients to focus on the power of three. Just set three goals at one time. Just pick three things to complete each week. This keeps you focused and prevents you from burning out.

So here's a practical example. Let's say one of your tasks is to organize your digital filing system. That could be a huge job right Now. Of course, I can tackle this for you in a power week. But if you decide you want to try this on your own, instead of trying to do it all at once in one sitting, break it into smaller chunks so you can focus on one folder or one category at a time, but make sure you set a timer for 30 minutes and when that timer goes off, you stop, you celebrate what you accomplished and you move on to the next thing. These small steps add up and they will give you the momentum you need to keep going, and do not forget to celebrate the small wins as you make progress.

But let's talk about what happens if you don't have a plan. Well, simply put, you stay stuck in chaos, you waste time trying to figure out what to do next and you lose energy because you're spinning your wheels. I've seen it happen time and time again. Without a clear plan, progress feels impossible. So let's recap what we've covered today.

Working on the plan is about refining a simple plan and taking consistent, aligned action. So start small by breaking your goals into actionable steps, and use a tool like the BizOps checklist to identify what process needs your attention first. Stay focused by working in manageable chunks and remember progress is about momentum, not perfection. And don't forget if digital clutter is one of the things that's holding you back. A power week can help you reclaim your time and your energy, and I do the heavy lifting for you.

Now, before I let you go, I have a challenge for you, one. I want you to download the BizOp checklist and set aside 15 minutes to complete it and really evaluate your results. Then identify one area of your business that you're going to focus on and create an action plan with three simple steps. If you're ready to dig deeper into your operations and get actionable feedback tailored to your goals, then book an SOP efficiency check with me. I will give you a detailed video of that one process and highlight the inefficiencies that exist and give you clear steps to not only improve it, but streamline it. Now I only have a limited number of spots available each month, so don't wait. Check out the link in the show notes and reserve your spot today, and if you need ongoing support, you're welcome to join us inside of the Mighty Society membership. That's where you'll find resources, templates, get access to the live masterclasses and all other things, including me, to help you refine your systems and keep your momentum going.

Now, next week, we're going to get into step number four, which is execute the plan. If you've ever struggled to stay consistent, you don't want to miss it. But if this episode really resonated with you, help me, help others, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. But also let me know what you're going to do. First, dm me on Instagram at the underscore, shannon Baker. But don't forget to grab the free Biz Ops checklist. The link is in the show notes. And until next week, keep working on your plan, keep streamlining and keep living your legacy. Thank you for tuning in this week.
Remember, just listening to this episode will not get you better results. So I challenge you to break the mold and take action today. If you're unsure where to start, book a call with me to get your questions answered about the Mighty Society membership or anything else that I mentioned. A link to my calendar is in the show notes. Not ready to take that step yet? No problem, be sure to connect with me on Instagram at the underscore Shannon Baker. You can ask me your questions there or let me know that you enjoyed the episode by taking a screenshot, sharing it and tagging me.

Now, if you haven't already grabbed my free audio masterclass, why don't you just start there? It's a great first step to assess your back office on your own, and this masterclass provides valuable insights and practical steps to help you organize your processes, reduce chaos and improve efficiency. Go to theshannonbakercom. Forward slash audio masterclass Now. If you haven't left a review for the podcast yet, please do so. I would love to hear from you, and it's an easy way to show some love to the podcast and help me reach more small business owners who are ready to defy the status quo. I can't wait to hear from you. So until next time, keep calm and streamline.

Are tech tools making your business run smoother or just stressing you out? Today we're breaking down the first two steps of my Power in Motion framework to show you how to pick the right tools and organize your operations. Stick around for practical tips and real life examples to help you cut through the overwhelm, save time and create a business that works for you, not the other way around.

Welcome to the Mind your Time podcast. I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee-loving host and business strategist. Each week, I will share practical insights and bold strategies for six-figure entrepreneurs looking to clean up their back office and create streamlined systems. The weekly episodes will help you take control of your time, scale your business and create success on your own terms. So grab your cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive into today's topic.

Let me ask you this have you ever started planning a simple family getaway, only to be completely overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? Well, that was me a few years ago. I had reached a point in my business where things were finally taking off and, instead of celebrating, I was drowning in tasks, emails, scheduling, client follow-ups, all while working a day job. I was so busy trying to keep up that I couldn't even enjoy the success that I had worked so hard for. Then, one day, I missed the client deadline because their email was buried in my inbox. That's when I knew something had to change. I was done letting my business run me instead of the other way around. So I sat down and I started thinking about how I could make things work for me. And there is so much advice out there about how to start your business, how to get clients, da, da, da, da da, but no one tells you about the importance of systems or how to set them up so that your business doesn't take over your life. I quickly realized that I needed something else to give me back my time, or at least control of my time, while keeping things running efficiently, especially when I was working during the day or just completely unavailable because I was spending time with my family. Guess what it was. That is when I discovered the power of documented processes and the importance of tech tools for automation. Those two things combined didn't just save my sanity. They gave me space to focus on what mattered my family, my clients and my goals. They allowed me to step into the driver's seat and create a business that worked for me.

Does any of that sound familiar to you. Are you constantly juggling tasks, feeling like there aren't enough hours in the day? Maybe you're chasing money instead of creating the business that you dreamed of, one that runs efficiently without you and grows sustainably? Well, if that's the case, it's time for you to take a step back and start with the first step of my power in motion framework. You need to pick one goal, and if this is you, you're not alone, but I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to stay this way.

So today, we're going to talk about how you can reclaim your time, build a business that supports your desired lifestyle, and start using the right tech tools to create space for what matters most to you. Specifically, we're going to dive into the first steps of my power and motion framework. We're going to break down each and talk about how it can transform the way you run your business. So, step one, pick one goal. I've talked about this before, but, yes, we're going to talk about it again. This is all about narrowing your focus. One clear, measurable goal for the next 90 days can totally transform your approach and improve your results, for example, when I was planning to leave my day job instead of saying I just wanted to grow my business. I focused on a very specific outcome. Bottom line is make it very clear that clarity leads to real progress.

Now let's talk about the second step. You definitely have to organize your operations Now. I know the tech tools can feel overwhelming, especially when this isn't your strong suit. Technology is not your friend, and definitely when you're already stressed out and you don't know where to start. Maybe you've tried a tool or two or more and you got stuck and you just thought well, you know what, this just isn't worth it. Or maybe you've got tools just sitting there collecting dust because you're not sure how to use them and you don't have time to figure it out. Well, guess what, my friend? Let me start by saying you're not the problem. But the problem is that you're trying to force tools to fit your business without first figuring out what you actually need them to do. That's why the organize your operations step in the Power In Motion framework is so critical. This is where taking time to evaluate your tech tools before you sign up becomes essential.

Tech tools are powerful, but only when they're chosen intentionally and used effectively. So let's cut through the noise and get clear on how you can pick the right tools and make sure that they work for you, because newsflash tech tools should help you do three things Save time, streamline your business and free you up to focus on what really matters. Now let's break that down a bit. First, how does it save you time? Well, tech tools are like having an assistant who never sleeps. Imagine cutting out the endless back and forth emails to schedule meetings, or having follow-up emails sent automatically after someone submits their contact information through your website. That's time you get to spend on something that actually grows your business, or even just enjoying the time that you have to take a deep breath and enjoy a cup of coffee. What would it feel like to wake up and know that things have already been handled for you? Time is your most valuable resource, my friend, and tools help you maximize it, and they are so much worth their weight in gold.

Now, second, tech tools make your business run more efficiently. Think of them as quiet partners that are working in the background. They reduce errors, they automate repetitive tasks and they keep your business functioning even when you're not working. And when you are working, you can focus on the things that require your attention and not have to worry about the rest. So tools like online schedulers, automated workflows or project management tools can be integrated into your processes to create systems that don't need you to micromanage them processes to create systems that don't need you to micromanage them. Third, and most importantly, tech tools free you up to focus on what really matters. So, whether that's nurturing your clients, creating new offers or spending uninterrupted and fully present time with your family, the right systems give you back control. I mean, think about it. How much time have you spent doing things that feel urgent but aren't actually important? Tech tools allow you to shift your energy toward the things that align with your bigger goals. So, whether that's growing your business, connecting with loved ones or even carving time out for yourself, they will help. I mean, what would it look like if your work felt purposeful instead of just busy? That's the kind of freedom that tech tools can create when they're working for you. And here's a bonus they also improve communication in your business.

Whether you're managing clients or working with a team, tech tools help everyone stay connected and on the same page. Take Monday.com, for example. It's not just about tracking tasks or managing projects and deadlines. It's about creating a centralized hub where updates happen in real time. Now, if you want to know more about how Monday.com can transform your business and your team, check out my episode on how to transform your business and boost team productivity with Monday.com. I'm going to put a link to that in the show notes.

Now let's be real. Using tech tools isn't always smooth sailing. I mean, there are challenges, but none of them are deal breakers. First, there will always be a learning curve. Yes, it can feel frustrating at first, but in the long run, it's worth it. That's why I create how-to videos for my clients after we get a process in place, and members of the Mighty Society have a resource vault full of how-to videos. And these aren't just fluff videos. They're step-by-step guides to help you hit the ground running without spending hours searching Google or YouTube for just the right video. Krista Hutchins, a member of the Mighty Society, summed it up perfectly. This is what she had to say.

The Mighty Society is a great resource for anyone who's just starting to build out the systems in their business. I love that the videos are stripped down to just what you need to know to get started, so you can save hours of Googling and YouTubing. When I first joined, I started looking around a little bit inside the membership, but mostly I was able to go straight to what I was looking for because it was so easy to navigate. I could find just what I need when I needed it.

Now, if you want to learn more about the Mighty Society membership, feel free to check it out at theshannonbakercom forward slash membership. Now let's talk about the second challenge, that's tool overload. There are so many options that it's easy to fall into the trap of subscribing to tools that you don't need. Not to mention, if you're like me, you'll sign up for a free trial that expires before you even get to use the tool and then worse, sometimes you forget to cancel and you end up paying for a tool that you don't need or you don't like. So how can you avoid this? Well, you need to start by determining what's essential for you. So answer these questions what's essential for you? So answer these questions what specific outcome do you need? Will this tool grow with your business, because you don't want to have to start over in the future, and are there specific features that you need? And then, what features are just nice to have? The answers to those questions are vital before you make a decision to use a tool. Now. The third challenge is cost, and I'm not just talking about money, I'm talking about time. That's why you need to evaluate your tech tools thoroughly. Will the time you spend learning and using the tool save you time or make you money in the long run? Will you need to hire someone to set it up for you or train you to use all of its features? And if you have a team, do they already know how to use the tool that you're considering, or will they have to learn it too? These are just a few of the considerations that you need to think through in your process. Here's a perfect example of what happens when you don't evaluate carefully.

A perfect example of what happens when you don't evaluate carefully. One of my clients was using Mondaycom to manage their team and track tasks, but they weren't maximizing the full potential of what was built into the system already. Because of that, all the features available weren't implemented, and then they decided to start using a more expensive tool that has a very steep learning curve. Meanwhile, one of their key processes was completely manual and was eating up so many hours every week. So once we started reviewing their processes and identified how they wanted things to work, I started implementing automations that were already built into mondaycom to streamline multiple processes, and now several processes run on their own. There's no more manual data entry, which is faster, more efficient and more accurate. These changes freed them up to focus on growing their business instead of being tied down with these administrative tasks that could be automated. So let's recap the key takeaways, because this is where the transformation really happens.

First, you need to start by picking one goal. That's the foundational step in the Power in Motion framework. Focus on one clear, measurable goal for the next 90 days. This focus creates momentum and lays the groundwork for everything else that you do in your business. Next, remember that tech tools save time by automating repetitive tasks and giving you back your most valuable resource.

Imagine waking up to find that follow-up emails, appointment scheduling and even some of your client communications have already been handled, all without you having to lift a finger. That is time you can reinvest in growing your business, nurturing relationships or simply catching your breath and enjoying life. Second, tech tools make your business run more efficiently, and this isn't just about saving a few minutes here and there every now and then. It's about creating systems that work even when you're not. No more wondering if something fell through the cracks, no more putting out fires or manually tracking every little detail in your business. Instead, you will be operating like a pro. You'll have streamlined workflows and they will keep everything moving forward without you. Third, and most importantly, they free you up to focus on what really matters.

What would it look like if your work felt purposeful instead of just busy? That's the kind of freedom that tech tools can create, when you use the right tools and they're working for you. And don't forget about communication and collaboration. Tools like monday.com is not just about task management. It's about creating an environment where your business, your team, your clients, they're connected, they're informed and everyone's on the same page. So let me ask you this what would it look like if your business worked for you instead of the other way around? And what if you had the time you needed to focus on the big picture instead of being caught up in the weeds every day? What if you could finally step away from your business knowing it was still run like clockwork? Here's the bottom line your business should work for you, not the other way around.

And if you've been feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the weeds, or you feel like you're spinning your wheels trying to keep everything running, now is the time for you to make a change. The right systems and tools are not just nice to have. They're the key to freeing yourself up from the chaos and finally running a business that supports the life you want. So if you're ready to take charge and organize your business and get your systems in place, the BizOps checklist is the first step you need to take. In less than two minutes, you will get the clarity you need to identify what you need to focus on and what systems you need to create to support your goals so you can be successful. Download it today. It's quick, easy, it's fillable and it will help you cut through the overwhelm. So here's your challenge Once you've completed the BizOps checklist, choose one actionable step to improve your operations.

That's whether it's setting up a new tool, automating something or mapping out a process. Small wins build momentum and you will be amazed at how much clarity and confidence this one step can bring. Now, if you're ready to go even further, join the Mighty Society membership. You will get access to so many resources and guidance to help you implement the Power in Motion framework. It's designed to help you tackle your systems at your own pace, with the support you need from yours truly. Or if you're looking for a done-for-you solution, you can book a boost day with me and just one day we can get pieces of a system in place, your tools integrated, and that will start contributing to a business that works for you, not the other way around.

The spots are limited, so don't wait. Click the link to everything I talked about. All the links are in the show notes. Let's build a business that supports your life and your goals. So what's your next move? Let's make it happen together.

Thank you for tuning in this week. Remember, just listening to this episode will not get you better results, so I challenge you to break the mold and take action today. If you're unsure where to start, book a call with me to get your questions answered about the Mighty Society membership or anything else that I mentioned. A link to my calendar is in the show notes. Not ready to take that step yet? No problem, be sure to connect with me on Instagram, @the_ShannonBaker. You can ask me your questions there, or let me know that you enjoyed the episode by taking a screenshot, sharing it and tagging me.

Now, if you haven't already grabbed my free audio masterclass, why don't you just start there? It's a great first step to assess your back office on your own, and this masterclass provides valuable insights and practical steps to help you organize your processes, reduce chaos and improve efficiency. Go to theshannonbaker.com/audiomasterclass Now, if you haven't left a review for the podcast yet, please do so. I would love to hear from you, and it's an easy way to show some love to the podcast and help me reach more small business owners who are ready to defy the status quo. I can't wait to hear from you. So until next time, keep calm and streamline.