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

How to Set Boundaries That Actually Work in Your Business

• Shannon Baker | Business Operations Strategist

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Let’s be real, if your calendar looks like chaos and your inbox runs your life, it’s not because you’re too busy. It’s because your boundaries are broken... and no, color-coding your planner isn’t going to save you.

In this episode, I’m talking about the real reason your business is running you instead of the other way around. Spoiler alert: It’s not a productivity hack you need, it’s a system that actually respects your time. 

I’m pulling back the curtain on how I ditched the reactive hustle and built a morning routine (that doesn’t start with email!) and a business that backs me up with real structure. You’ll get a breakdown of my POWER in Motion framework and how to use it to stop overdelivering, start delegating to automation, and finally protect your peace like the CEO you actually are.

Tune in if you’re ready to take back control of your time and set clear boundaries.

1:39 – The simple boundary I added to my mornings that completely changed how I run my business

5:10 – The truth bomb that hit me when I realized I was the reason my business felt out of control

6:58 – How your lack of systems is secretly killing your boundaries (and what to do instead)

10:08 – My client’s burnout story—and the one system we built that changed everything

15:26 – Why The MY-T Society isn’t just another membership—it’s your business’s new home base

Related Episodes Mentioned:

Episode 178 - How to Take Control with an Online Scheduling System and Boundaries

Resources Mentioned:

🤝 Join The MY-T Society for tools, templates, and expert support to simplify your business systems and take control of your time!

🧩 Book a Legacy In Motion Session, a personalized 2-hour strategy session, to uncover inefficiencies, set clear 90-day goals, and create an actionable plan to streamline your business and achieve sustainable growth!

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

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

Additional Resources Available:

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

Let’s connect online:

Follow Me On Instagram: @the_shannonbaker







Speaker 1:

If your mornings start with coffee and chaos, then this episode is your wake-up call. Today, I'm gonna share the one boundary that completely changed how I run my business and why your lack of systems might be the reason you're burned out. I'm also gonna share a few tips to help you reclaim your time, your peace and your power. Starting today, welcome to the Mind your Time podcast. I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee loving host and business operations strategist. If your business feels chaotic and you're tired of spinning your wheels, you're in the right place. Each episode contains both strategies and practical insights rooted in my power and motion framework to help you streamline your operations, reclaim your time and grow without burnout. So, whether you're just starting out or scaling the six figures and beyond, I'll help you simplify, set boundaries and build a business that works for you. So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Speaker 1:

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you sit down to enjoy your morning cup of coffee, then you open up your laptop and the list of things that you need to do overwhelms you before you've even taken your first sip? Well, believe it or not, that used to be me. Coffee in hand, I thought I had a plan and within 10 minutes I got a text from a client with a so-called quick ask and I say that in air quotes. Three emails that needed immediate attention and suddenly I shifted into reactive mode. I hadn't even opened the one file I planned to work on, not to mention I still had not finished my coffee. But guess what? That's not my story anymore. Story anymore.

Speaker 1:

These days, my morning routine does not include checking my email or opening my laptop. With my morning cup of coffee, I start my day on my terms, which means I have time to think, pray, enjoy my coffee and get grounded before I even open my laptop. That one thing has been a game changer. It's my morning routine. That's a boundary that I put in place, not just for my peace of mind, but to power myself through the day. Because when I give myself that space in the morning, I lead my day instead of my day leading me. And in that moment, years ago, I had to pause and ask myself did I let this happen or did I create the issue? Because here's what I've learned the hard way Every time I let someone else's urgency supersede my priorities, it's not really about them and it's not their fault. It's about my boundaries or a lack of having them or sticking to them.

Speaker 1:

Boundaries, my friend, are not optional. Boundaries, my friend, are not optional. They're a necessity in life and in your business because they teach people how to treat you. So even if you're a people pleaser, you've got to set and stick to your boundaries. So today I want to talk about setting reasonable boundaries in your business that actually work. And I'm not talking some surface level boundaries or wishful thinking. I'm talking about real, sustainable boundaries that support the life you're building.

Speaker 1:

Because if your business is constantly pulling you in 10 different directions, it's not a productivity problem that's holding you back, it's not even a time management problem Nine times out of 10, it's a boundaries problem. So we're going to have a black coffee conversation about this, because I know you didn't start your business because you wanted to hustle harder. And if you're like me and I believe you are you started your business because you wanted more freedom, more flexibility and you wanted to make a bigger impact. But somewhere along the way, all of that got buried under a mountain of client demands, your inconsistent processes and the self-imposed pressure to be everything to everybody because you feel that's great customer service and if you're nodding along with me saying yep, that's me, I see you. I won't say I've been where you are because, trust me, I have no problem saying no and to me, by the way, no is a complete sentence and I get to decide whether or not I justify my no. But I understand this because my clients have the same problem. They think that ignoring or bending, or you know their boundaries that that is good customer service. But, like I said earlier, your boundaries train people how to treat you. Now let me tell you a bit more about how I know this.

Speaker 1:

When I made the decision to shut down my virtual assistant business years ago, it wasn't because I couldn't find clients. I had plenty of work. Sometimes it was actually too much, but I was constantly rearranging my life around my clients. I had an onboarding process and it worked. I had a scope of work that set expectations for both of us. I even had clear business hours that I communicated in multiple ways when I first started working with a new client and I sent yearly reminders. But my business was still running me and I was exhausted. But it's because I didn't have all the right boundaries in place. I was showing up for everyone else first, no matter what, and I wasn't showing up for myself and I definitely was not showing up for my family. And that, my friend, is the fastest way to burnout.

Speaker 1:

So here's the thing Boundaries are not selfish, don't let anyone tell you differently. They're not about shutting people out or even about boxing yourself in. Boundaries are actually a strategy and they're definitely a form of self-care. And in the power of motion framework, boundaries are built into every single step. So I'm going to break that down for you. The P is for pick one goal, because when your goals are scattered, your boundaries are going to be blurred as well. Focus brings clarity, and clarity makes it easier for you to say no to distractions and yes to what really matters.

Speaker 1:

Now. The O is for organize your operations. This is where your boundaries stop being that wishlist and they start becoming a reality. Your systems, automations, templates, processes this is what puts your expectations on autopilot and teach people how to treat you, especially your onboarding process. Now let me be clear If you don't have systems, you don't have boundaries or business. You have wishful thinking and it's dependent on you. And this is exactly what I can help you build inside of the Mighty Society, because when you're in a season of growth, you don't need more information. You need systems that will evolve with you, and that membership is designed to help you build a back office that supports your boundaries and helps you stick to the things you start so that you can finish them and grow your business while enjoying life.

Speaker 1:

Now the W is for work on the plan. This is where we take that big vision you have and make it doable. You need to carve out CEO time. You can take time off. Then, when you create systems that support your routines, guess what? Those boundaries come into play, because boundaries without implementation. Well, guess what? It's just good intentions. But this step is how you stay consistent with what you said you were going to do, because you stick to the plan. And then the E is for execute consistently, because this is where the transformation happens.

Speaker 1:

Setting boundaries once, that's not going to change your life. But when you reinforce those boundaries through clear communication, getting your systems in place and making sound decisions, that's when everything starts to shift. And inside of the Mighty Society, you get access to tools, templates and support, because you need that to make this process easier. You don't have to wing it anymore, you need to just plug into something that's already working. And finally, the R is for remember, refine and review, because things change, you evolve, your business evolves, boundaries get tested. That's why I encourage the Mighty Society members to review their operations quarterly to make sure that what worked last quarter is still serving them now. Because, let's be real, every quarter that you delay putting your processes in place, creating those backend systems and building your boundaries, you risk another three months of chaos, being overworked and you're definitely missing opportunities, and you don't have to do that. Now.

Speaker 1:

Let's talk about one of the biggest boundary mistakes that entrepreneurs make, which is letting their clients dictate their processes. I worked with a business owner who's actually a brilliant marketing strategist. She used to jump straight into client work without a clearly defined onboarding process. Because of that, she would end up chasing people for passwords, waiting on photos and videos for them so she can create their content. She was waiting on content approvals. Basically, overall, she was frustrated and wasting valuable time, and having to chase people for what she needed to do her job it was burning her out. Now she has a detailed onboarding system and a project management system for every client that ensures that she gets everything she needs before she even gets on the phone on a discovery call with them. No more wasting time on people who aren't a good fit. No more chasing folks down for what she needs to do her job. No more drama, just a smooth, consistent process that respects her time and positions her as the professional she is.

Speaker 1:

And if you want to avoid scope creep, well, this is how you do it with boundaries. Boundaries without a documented process of automation, which is a system that is just fragile. But when you back your boundaries with structure, you don't have to keep explaining yourself. You don't have to justify delays when a client misses a deadline. Your systems do the talking for you. So let me offer you something simple but powerful that you can do today. That's gonna make a difference.

Speaker 1:

I want you to take 10 minutes and ask yourself two questions. What's one boundary that you've been struggling to enforce that's draining you? Then think about what system would automate this boundary. Here's an example If it's clients messaging you after hours, maybe you need an autoresponder or a note in your welcome kit that clearly explains your working hours and how to communicate with you. If the issue is people trying to book last minute meetings, maybe you need a scheduling system with a built-in buffer that shows your availability in real time, and this is one of the six core systems that every business owner needs. I even did an entire episode on this one system. I'll put a link to that in the show notes.

Speaker 1:

But my point is, these are the kind of tweaks that we make inside of the Mighty Society membership. We don't just talk about boundaries, we build the systems that make them stick. So it protects your time and your energy. Imagine sitting down every morning knowing exactly what to focus on after your cup of coffee, because your systems are doing the heavy lifting for you. So you're no longer playing catch up, you're not scattered, you're not putting out fires instead of doing productive work, and you're not doubting whether or not your business can support your lifestyle. That's the kind of structure that we can create together.

Speaker 1:

So whether you need help with your onboarding process, creating a welcome kit documenting your standard operating procedures, or even just figuring out where to start, I have got you covered. Join us inside of the Mighty Society membership, because that gives you access to plug and play templates, guided support from me and, most importantly, a space to connect with others that can support you and help you build momentum that lasts. So go to theshannonbakercom forward slash membership to check it out and join today. And if you're craving clarity and a personalized strategy from me, then go ahead and book a legacy in motion session. We're going to audit your systems together, identify the biggest gaps in your operations. Then I'm going to give you a custom plan that simplifies your operations so I can protect your energy and support those boundaries. You'll walk away with clear next steps so that you can take aligned action right now. A link for you to book. That is in the show notes as well.

Speaker 1:

Now let's quickly recap the key points from today. One burnout isn't just about you doing too much. It's about you not protecting what matters most, and boundaries are how you protect your peace and your energy, which is why you need them. They're not optional Now. Weak boundaries, that leads to chaos, frustration and inconsistent results. But when you have strong boundaries that are backed by systems, that leads to growth, clarity and the freedom that you want Now. Keep in mind your onboarding process and a welcome kit are two of the simplest ways to start reinforcing boundaries with new clients right from the beginning. And when it comes to building these boundaries well, the Power in Motion framework helps you do that at every level of your business, and that's from goal setting to streamlining and refining your systems. Because inside of the Mighty Society membership, you'll get access to the resources, support and structure that you need to finally be able to run your business with confidence and you'll be able to take back control of your time.

Speaker 1:

So here's your next step. If you're ready to stop abandoning strategies halfway through and you want to finally create consistent systems that help you scale and give you room to breathe and think, then join the Mighty Society membership today. You don't need another DIY guide. You need the structure and support so that you can stay focused on what actually works. And if you want that custom roadmap to move forward with clarity, then book a legacy emotion session with me. Let's create a strategy that fits your business and supports your lifestyle. You didn't start your business to be on call 24-7. You started this for freedom, flexibility and impact, so let's build systems that make that real. You've got this. Now it's time for us to put your power in motion.

Speaker 1:

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.