Sonja Baker
Ticketing and live events professionals are some of the busiest people in the world. The demands on one’s personal and family time can be great. Consequently, many have probably read books or clicked on social media videos about how to practice better “time management.” But have any been focused specifically on INTIX members?
INTIX 2025 will feature the aptly named workshop, “Busy Fools Anonymous: Kicking the Busy Habit With Precision and Focus.” The main speaker will be Sonja Baker, Assistant Director of Box Office and Patron Services for the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. “Attendees can expect an engaging, interactive session that challenges how they think about productivity and goal setting,” she says. “It’s about flipping the script on what it means to be effective. We’ll explore why ‘being busy’ doesn’t always equate to being productive, and how focusing on the right things at the right time can revolutionize your approach to work. Expect practical tools, real-life examples, and a little humor along the way as we tackle strategies like periodization, short-term goal setting and time blocking.”
Baker promises attendees will leave the workshop with actionable strategies they can implement immediately to work smarter, not harder. They will be given strategies on how to beat procrastination with short-term goal setting and subsequently turn big plans into actionable, three-month goals. In addition, she states, “I want attendees to master the art of time blocking. It’s such a simple yet powerful tool to protect your time and ensure you’re making progress on the tasks that truly matter.”
She continues, “I hope they walk away with a fresh perspective on goal setting. By focusing on fewer, high-impact goals and breaking them into manageable three-month cycles, they’ll see how much more they can accomplish. Ultimately, I hope everyone leaves with a sense of empowerment — that they can take control of their workload and focus on what drives real results.”
Of course, a lot of people are reluctant, even intimidated, to shed their normal routines and break their bad habits even if they are proving personally harmful. What will Baker’s message to them be? “My message is simple: Change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small. Often, we feel stuck because we’re trying to overhaul everything at once. Instead, pick one area of your routine and focus on improving that.”
For example, she notes that attendees can begin by carving out just a half-hour a day to focus on something that “moves the needle” — something that aligns with one’s bigger goals. “Success builds momentum,” Baker remarks. “Once you see results from those small changes, it becomes easier to tackle bigger shifts. Remember, perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is!”
Baker went on to state that one of the biggest mistakes busy people make is setting too many goals. It’s very tempting to try to “do it all,” especially people with Type A personalities as so many ticketing professionals have. “But spreading yourself too thin often leads to burnout or lackluster results,” she says. “Another common oversight is failing to tie goals to specific, actionable steps. Goals are great, but without a clear roadmap of how to achieve them, they’re just dreams. Lastly, people often underestimate the importance of reflection. Taking time to evaluate what’s working, what’s not, and adjusting accordingly is crucial for long-term success.”
Baker is looking forward to a lively audience for the “Busy Fools Anonymous” workshop, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 3:45 p.m. EST. She says the hour-long session is for anyone who feels overwhelmed by their workload or stuck in what she calls “the busy trap.” Baker concludes, “Whether you’re a manager trying to lead your team more effectively, a frontline staff member balancing a million tasks, or someone who just wants to reclaim their time and focus on what matters, this session is for you. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start making meaningful progress, you’ll find a lot of value here. The strategies we’ll discuss are versatile and can be tailored to fit any role or responsibility.”
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