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

Why September Is the Best Time to Reset Your Business

• Shannon Baker | Business Operations Strategist • Episode 215

Share episode

If your business feels messy behind the scenes or like it’s running you instead of the other way around, this episode is your chance to pause and reset!

Whether you’re just getting started, in the thick of client work, or trying to rebuild after burnout, this episode will walk you through a refresh that’s rooted in clarity, not hustle.

Most entrepreneurs wait for January to hit “reset,” but by then, you’re already tired and overcommitted. So today we’re going to talk about why I treat September like my January and how this one mindset shift transformed the way I plan, set goals, and build momentum.

September is a chance to slow down, reflect on what’s working, and align your next steps with the season you’re actually in. So tune in to hear a practical, values-driven approach to reset your mission, refocus your goals, and clean up your backend so you can finish the year strong without having to restart from scratch.

3:23 – The moment I stopped chasing shiny objects and started treating September like the start of my year

6:16 – Why I shut down a financially successful business and how that season helped me reset with clarity and intention

8:31 - The scary investment that helped me discover my mission and build a business that is aligned with my values

12:44 – The three-step reset plan I revisit every year to realign my business with my mission and goals

16:31 – How to use the Back Office POWER Checklist to identify what’s holding your business back right now

17:38 – Why the POWER In Motion Jumpstart Session is the best place to begin if you’re ready to reset with support

Related Episodes Mentioned:

Episode 212 - The 6 Core Systems Your Business Needs to Grow Without Burnout

Resources Mentioned:

📋 Grab the Back Office POWER Checklist,  a fillable PDF, to quickly audit your back office, spot inefficiencies, and create a smoother, more efficient operation!

🧭 Feeling stuck behind the scenes? Let’s clear it up. 

Book a POWER In Motion Jumpstart Session, a focused 60-minute strategy call where we’ll identify what’s holding your business back and map out a custom 30-day action plan. You’ll walk away with clarity, direction, and a plan to create a backend that’s finally in motion.





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

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







Speaker 1:

If your business feels heavy scattered or stuck in the same cycle every quarter, this episode is your reset button. Today, I'm going to talk about how to use this season meaning right now to take control of your business growth without burning out. September is my January, and after today, I think it might become yours too. You're going to walk away with three powerful steps you can use to reset your vision, clean up the back end of your business and finish this year strong, and I've got a resource that's going to make this easier for you. Welcome to the Mind your Time podcast.

Speaker 1:

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. Let me start by talking about a common challenge that I see among entrepreneurs, and that's whether they've just started bringing in clients are on the verge of hitting six figures or are just beyond that milestone or are just beyond that milestone. The commonality is they tend to jump from one thing to the next, never really giving anything enough time to work. There's always pressure to try new strategies and we have a tendency to chase what's trending. And that can be overwhelming, and I know firsthand because I've been there chasing shiny objects, chasing money and feeling like I was missing out on something if I didn't hop on every opportunity and new idea that came my way. So, exactly how do you decide what truly deserves your time and energy and how do you filter out the noise and focus on what actually matters so that your business can grow Well, for me, the answer came during a season of reflection and resetting.

Speaker 1:

That's when I decided to make September 1st my January. Now, I had heard the idea before I mean for years actually but when I started doing it myself, it finally stuck and it felt like the perfect time to pause and redirect my energy, not only to finish the year strong, but to reset my goals, look at my systems and make improvements where needed and focus in a way that it really supported the lifestyle that I was craving and that one shift made an immediate difference. And here's what I didn't realize until I made that shift, I'd been waiting for a new year for everything, waiting to get a new planner, waiting to create a new strategy, waiting to fix what really needed to be rebuilt in the business from the inside out. So, instead of scrambling to set goals and restart and I say that in quotes in January, when my energy was lower it's cold outside, my schedule would be pretty full I started to use the fall to build momentum. To use the fall to build momentum. So I started treating September like the start of Q1 for my business. So, while everyone else was winding down for the holidays, I was focused on laying the foundation for the business that I wanted to walk into on January, the 1st.

Speaker 1:

That shift helped me prioritize the systems, content and strategy that I needed in place by December 31st. And because I typically review things in my business every month and that's you know what's working, what isn't, what needs to go, what needs improvement I didn't need, and still don't need, that big year in review that you hear about all the time. This shift in my process made planning feel light and focused, instead of it stressing me out. And let's be real once the holidays hit, your schedule gets chaotic and if you celebrate, that means you're dealing with family, maybe travel, and there are a lot of distractions. So that is not the time to start something new. But when I started hitting the reset button in September, changing the way I do things, that means I have a plan that I can trust and then I can actually stick to it no matter what's going on around me. This mindset shift gave me clarity, confidence and, most importantly, breathing room in my schedule. It also gave me space to look at what was working and what wasn't. And that's when I realized that something big had to change.

Speaker 1:

Because when I started my virtual assistant business, it grew really fast and, honestly, my business wasn't prepared for that. I didn't have the systems in place to sustain it. Now, on the outside, things look great. I had a number of clients, I was making really good money and I had actually scaled back my schedule for my full-time job to work part-time, and that was mostly remote. But I wasn't happy and I quickly learned that all money isn't good money. I mean, have you ever looked at your business and thought well, on paper this should feel good, so why doesn't it Like what's wrong?

Speaker 1:

So as I took a closer look at my business, I realized it wasn't aligned with my values and neither was the way it impacted my family, because I didn't have systems in place, I didn't have real boundaries and I constantly found myself frustrated dealing with inefficiencies, not only in my client's business, but in my own, and that led to me having to redo work, and that just piled onto the frustration. I really felt like I was always putting out fires instead of having space to be proactive, and that's not how I wanted to live and it definitely was not the way I wanted my business to operate. So you know what happened. Eventually, I hit a breaking point. So by 2019, I was working my business full time, but I also, after looking at everything, made the decision to shut down my virtual assistant business, and it was doing quite well financially.

Speaker 1:

So let me tell you that decision was not easy. I was really scared to walk away from the money I was making, but I knew that I needed to take a step back and figure out what kind of business I really wanted to build, because, again, it was also having a negative impact on my family. Now, honestly, I contemplated giving up on being an entrepreneur altogether. So the first thing I did was end all of my contracts and I went back to work part-time to give me space to recover, breathe and reevaluate because, let's face it, we still have bills to pay and that season was hard, but it gave me the room I needed to really reflect on some big questions. So you should think about these as well, like what kind of life do you actually want and what kind of business do you want to lead you there?

Speaker 1:

Looking back on this whole experience, I do realize that burning it all down was the best decision that I could have made. But now, as I look back on it and I want you to think about this as well If you've ever felt this way or you're feeling this way right now, I am in no way telling you to burn down everything in your business, because, honestly, if I could roll back the hands of time and do things differently, I definitely would change the way I handled a few things. And I'm just being transparent because at the time, it really felt like taking a step back for me was failure. But I needed that time to get clear on my values, my vision and what I truly wanted my business to look like. I wanted a business that would support my lifestyle and allow me to be present with my family.

Speaker 1:

So, during this time taking this huge step, it was really scary, and so was the next step that I took, which was investing in myself and my business. I invested in private coaching, which helped me realize my true passion is helping purpose-driven women implement systems that align with their values, reduce overwhelm and allow them to grow their businesses without burning out. So I made it my mission not just to help other purpose-driven women build a business, but to help them build one that allows them to live their legacy in real time, because, personally, I believe you shouldn't just have to wait for someday to happen to enjoy the hard work that you're putting in. You should be able to enjoy the life you're working hard to create now as you build it. And the business that I had been running before it didn't reflect this mission or my values. So I had to pivot.

Speaker 1:

I went back to work part time, as I said, and I slowly started building out a new business model, and it took time and patience, and it wasn't always easy. There were actually moments when I questioned whether I just should get a full-time job and just give up on being a full-time entrepreneur. But after about a year that part-time job something else happened. That steady paycheck became a security blanket and I realized over time then I was scared to leave that steady paycheck behind. I mean because, let's face it, being an entrepreneur it's not easy. But I know that I'm an entrepreneur at heart, so giving up wasn't an option. So I had a black coffee chat with myself. I decided that I needed to stick to the plan to reach my goals, I needed to be patient and I needed to trust the process. So after about two years of very focused professional development, I refined my services, I got clear on my goals and I was able to make that leap back into entrepreneurship. But I had to take small steps along the journey to get there.

Speaker 1:

This process led to the birth of the Shannon Baker LLC and ultimately TSB Management Solutions, and during that time I also rebranded this podcast, which honestly, it was a labor of love. And I'll be transparent and tell you that behind the scenes I was in hustle mode because I was determined to reach my goal and at the time that was to leave my day job. Now I am in no way glamorizing hustle, but sometimes you have to enter what I like to call a push season, and the difference is that when that hustle is rooted in alignment, it feels like purpose and not panic, and it has an expiration date. But this time around, I had my six core systems in place and personally I feel every business needs to have these in place. But I also had a clear vision. I created a business model that was aligned with my values and I was determined I wasn't going to work just for the sake of money. I was focused on building something that would give me the freedom I wanted while being in a position to help others do the same. And I must say I'm truly enjoying full-time entrepreneurship, and it's been a wild ride, but I'm enjoying the journey.

Speaker 1:

Entrepreneurship, and it's been a wild ride, but I'm enjoying the journey. So if you're feeling overwhelmed or you're unsure of your next step, then I get it. I've been there and I know it's hard to make big decisions when you're stuck in that space. So if you've been booking clients but everything behind the scenes still feels messy, then this episode is especially for you. And let me be clear If you love what you're doing, you love your clients, but everything is increasingly draining to you. It's not you, it's probably the backend of your business, and you don't have to burn everything down to fix it. You just need to make time to build smarter workflows, to protect your energy and elevate the client experience that you provide. So I'm gonna share three tips with you that help me get unstuck and build a business that aligns with my values, and I know they can help you do the same, and I actually revisit these every year before Q4 because it gives me the clarity I need to stay focused or get back on track so that I can finish the year strong.

Speaker 1:

So reset step number one is you need to clarify your mission and your vision, because this is your North Star. Whether you're brand new, you're just feeling stuck or off track in your business, getting clear on your mission and your vision gives every decision you make a purpose. Your mission tells people what you do, who you help and why it matters, and your vision shows you where you're headed and how life will look when you get there. Without these, you're going to chase everything and you're going to end up feeling like nothing is working. So here's a quick win challenge for you. I want you to take 30 minutes this week to refresh your mission. If it doesn't light you up when you read it out loud, then it's not ready yet and you've got some work to do.

Speaker 1:

Now reset step number two. I want you to choose one 90 day goal. This is how I have all of my clients operate. I want you to forget about juggling five projects. Focus creates progress. So set one clear, realistic goal that will actually move your business forward. Sidebar that goal of leaving my part-time job. I worked on that same goal for years before I achieved it, so you can do that too Now.

Speaker 1:

Inside of the Mighty Society Systems Insanity Suite Starter Stack, there's a 90-day goal setting workbook and a marketing matrix analyzer that helps members simplify goal setting and prioritize so they can create an action plan. These tools help them map out what they're offering, identify where their revenue is going to come from and what it will take for them to get there. You have the chance to get access to these same tools inside of the membership, but I really want you to visualize your success, because this isn't just about hitting the goal. I want you to think about how your life will feel when you actually reach your goal. So here is a mindset shift for you Stop asking if it's possible and start asking what would need to be true for this to be my reality. And if you want access to those resources I mentioned, feel free to go to theshannonbakercom forward slash membership. Take a look and join us inside.

Speaker 1:

Now reset step number three you have to audit your systems. This is where clarity meets capacity, because no matter how solid your plan is, if your back end is a hot mess, you're going to struggle to follow through on your goal and more than likely you're going to give up. And I've been there, so I know. And until I built my six core systems, everything felt like chaos. Now I'm not going to go into those systems because I've talked about them all together and individually on the podcast, so I'll link to those in the show notes.

Speaker 1:

But there's also another tool that I use quarterly now and that really helped me get a clear snapshot of what was working in my business and what wasn't. It's the back office power checklist, and you can complete this in under 10 minutes. If your business is growing but your energy is tanking, then this is the next step that you need to take if you do nothing else after this episode. I want you to grab a copy of that checklist. There's a link to it in the show notes or you can go to theshannonbakercom forward slash checklist.

Speaker 1:

Focus on completing it this week and look for the one system that you can fix first. Not all six of them, just one, because whether you're a team of one or you're leading a growing team, these six systems are what allow your business to run smoothly behind the scenes, even when life gets busy. And if you're looking at that list, thinking well, sounds good, but I wouldn't even know where to start. Even after that, don't worry, the checklist is designed to show you exactly where the gaps are, so you can fix them in order of priority Again, not all at once. Now you may also be thinking okay, well, I know I need better systems, but I still have no idea where to start.

Speaker 1:

No worries, that's exactly what a power in motion jumpstart session is for. It's a focused 60 minute strategy call designed to help you stop spinning your wheels and finally make progress and getting the back end of your business together. And that's even if your calendar is already full, because you don't need more time. You just need the right support via systems. Now we're not throwing templates at the wall or following a one-size-fits-all blueprint I don't believe in any of that. But during this strategy session we really focus on getting clear on what's working, what's missing and where you can get quick relief with putting systems in place so you can feel the difference right away.

Speaker 1:

And if you've been contemplating joining the founder circle inside of the Mighty Society System Insanity Suite but you haven't taken that leap yet, this is a nudge for you to go ahead and do that, because the action plan that you walk away with on this call helps you hit the ground running when you join the membership. Helps you hit the ground running when you join the membership. And I created this because I know one of the biggest reasons women hesitate to join a membership is because they worry they won't use it or, worse, they won't know how to use it in a way that fits their unique business. But after that power and motion jumpstart session, you will know exactly what to work on, what resources to use and where to plug in to get the results you want, and that's without overwhelm. So whether you're just getting started, you're totally booked up with client work or you're trying to rebuild after burnout, this is your season to reset, realign and reclaim your time, and you don't have to do it alone. Let me help you.

Speaker 1:

So let's do a quick recap before we wrap up today. One I want you to review, or create, your mission and your vision, because this is your North Star. So, whether you're brand new, you're feeling off track or you just need to refresh your mission and your vision statement. You're feeling off track or you just need to refresh your mission and your vision statement. I need you to do it because this helps you make aligned decisions and say no to distractions that don't support your bigger picture. So step two or reset tip two was to set one clear goal that you're going to focus on for at least the next 90 days. No more juggling multiple priorities. Choose one goal that moves your business forward and break it down into doable steps that you can actually achieve, because progress comes from small steps that are focused, not doing more. Then I need you to visualize what success looks like when it's achieved. Don't just write your goal down. I want you to see it, make it real. Imagine how you'll feel, what your schedule will look like and what freedom will be present in your life when this goal has become your reality.

Speaker 1:

And then the third reset tip was to audit your systems using the back office power checklist, because goals without systems lead to burnout. So grab that checklist and use it to identify what's holding you back behind the scenes, so that you can clean it up and create space to grow. So here's the big question as we wind this up Will you download the back office power checklist and start the reset on your own, or will you book a Power In Motion Jumpstart Session so that we can go through that checklist together and create a 30-day action plan so that you can start rebuilding with strategy clarity and without the guesswork Because, let's be honest, most of us don't need more time we need a clear, custom plan and the right system to support it. So if you've been hesitant about joining the founder circle because you're worried you won't know how to use it, then that's exactly where that jumpstart session will help you. When you start there, you walk into the membership with a roadmap made just for you, so that you can hit the ground running and don't have to waste any time. No matter which one you decide, make a decision, choose the one that fits the capacity that you have right now and then move forward. You'll find everything that we talked about today linked right in the show notes, including a link to the back office power checklist and for you to book a power in motion jumpstart session.

Speaker 1:

My friend, this isn't about hustle, it's about structure and it's your time to move forward with confidence, clarity and support. So go ahead and take that first step. 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.