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The Magic of Logging Off: Lessons from the Lakehouse

  • Writer: Cori Blackburn
    Cori Blackburn
  • Jul 17
  • 2 min read

Two weeks ago, I shut my laptop, turned off notifications, and stepped away from client work for two full weeks at the lake house with my family. Just me, the trees, the water, and a spotty cell signal )which turned out to be a blessing in disguise).

And honestly? It felt like breathing again.


Space Creates Strategy

It’s amazing what clarity bubbles up when you finally step away from the noise. Without the constant ping of Slack or the weight of a to-do list, I started thinking about my business differently...more big picture, more intentionally.

And that’s the irony, right?

We spend so much time trying to run our businesses better, but the most valuable insights often come when we step away from them entirely.

That kind of space doesn’t just happen, you have to build for it. You need systems and a second-in-command. Operations that hum along whether you’re at your desk or in a kayak.

That’s what I help my clients create as an Online Business Manager and Fractional COO: A business that runs without you constantly running it.


Running a Business Shouldn't Mean Running Yourself Into the Ground

Before I left for the lake, I did what a lot of founders do before a vacation: Tried to cram two weeks of work into three days. 😅

But here’s the thing...I could step away. Because I’ve built a business that supports me back. Because I trust the systems I put in place. Because I’ve let go of the belief that if I’m not glued to my screen, everything will fall apart.

That’s not hustle. That’s survival mode. And it’s a trap so many business owners fall into.

If you’re still the bottleneck, the answer isn’t more hustle, it’s better systems.


The Lakehouse Is a Metaphor

There’s something about nature that reminds you what flow really feels like. The waves don’t check their email. The wind doesn’t have a five-year plan. And still everything moves forward. Smoothly. Steadily.

That’s what good operations should feel like in your business.

Ease. Flow. Freedom to move without constantly fighting against the current.

Too many business owners think that operations are about control. But really, it’s about release. Letting go of chaos. Making room for creativity. Building a business that holds you, not one that drains you.


People Over Platforms

And let’s not forget the real heart of this: my family. We fished and swam. We ate too many s’mores. We watched the sunset without trying to capture it. I was there...really there....because I allowed myself to unplug.

That’s why I believe in the work I do. Because when your business is built with intention, it creates room for the rest of your life.

So here's my invitation:

Take the vacation.

Build the system.

Make the room.

You don’t have to burn out to build something brilliant.

And if you're ready to build operations that give you more freedom, not more friction — I’m just a message away.


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