Running an Managed Service Provider (MSP) or IT Solution Provider business can be a tough gig.
If you’re not mindful of the pressures, then the role of leader can impact both your physical and mental health.
As somebody who has dealt with clinical depression since my childhood, I wanted to share with you that if you’re struggling right now, then please know that you are most certainly not alone.
Over the years, I’ve spoken to a number of friends and colleagues, individuals, male and female, who are IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) business owners, vendors, senior industry figures and highly respected thought leaders. All of these people have shared with me that they’re finding it difficult to be everywhere and do everything that is asked of them.
If you’re feeling discouraged, exhausted or depressed, you’re not alone.
But there is hope through a way forward.
A Strong Support Network is Key
Having dealt with depression all my life, I can tell you that I certainly don’t have the mental health thing sussed.
However, what I have learned with some certainty is this.
Don’t try and do this alone.
Running an MSP business is tough. Being the boss is tough. Being a leader is tough. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.
A strong support network is key, regardless of what stage of your business journey you’re on.
If I can lend a helping hand, then get in touch and let me know. I’d be happy to listen.
In order to do good, you have to feel good!
Most of us got into Information Technology (IT) because we enjoy helping others.
However, as my friends Andrew & Pete of the Atomic business owners community say… in order to do good, you have to feel good!
The three things that I do every day to help me to feel good include:-
- Meditation with the Headspace app. If meditation seems a bit “woo woo” to you, then it did to me too — but I now do 15-mins meditation every day and it helps give me the time to organise my thoughts.
- Reading a chapter of a book. I’ve written before about Why Successful Business Leaders Read Regularly. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, paperback, hardback or Kindle, I find making the time to read gives me some additional headspace.
- Calling a friend. Nearly every day I go for a walk and talk — ringing a friend who I consider an energiser. Somebody I enjoy speaking to, and who lifts me up.
Regarding the walk and talk. I used to feel guilty about interrupting people. After all, everybody is busy!
However, I’ve long since realised that everybody is finding it tough out there — especially in the current climate.
By giving other people a call, you’re not only helping yourself, but you’re helping to give them a lift too.
Again, don’t try and do this alone.
MSP Business Owner Mental Health Resources
Here are some other mental health resources for MSP business owners that I hope you’ll find useful.
MSP Mental Health Blogs
- My journey through mental health from Dave Long of CageData
- MSP Mental Health: Tips and Resources with Domotz and Richard Tubb
- 5 tips from MSP experts to kickstart your mental health journey with SuperOps
- 5 Strategies to Proactively Address the Growing Mental Health Crisis Amongst IT Professionals with CompTIA
- MSP Mental Health Matters from Superops – A Way to Show Channel Colleagues you Care
- Axcient – MSP Mental Health: The Toll of Cybersecurity and Tools to Cope
Business Owner-focused Mental Health Podcasts
- Mental Health for MSP Owners with Chris Brogan
- Journaling for Business Owners with Chris Ducker
- The Mental Manager Podcast with Silke Ahrens & Andrew McAllister
- How Journaling and Trying New Things Can Improve Your Business and Your Life with Geoff Nicholson
- Managing Mental Health with Eric Rieger and Todd Kane
- Mental health and MSPs — it’s time to break the silence with SuperOps
- Work-life integration: mastering the balancing act with SuperOps
Guides for IT Business Owners
- The Man Sprouts Man-ifesto – Let’s Talk About Male Mental Health
- The Productivity Giants Series with SaneBox
- Survive & Thrive: The MSP & ITSP Owners Guide to Surviving & Thriving in Uncertain Times by Nigel Moore
Mental Health Tools & Apps
- Action for Happiness – An Action Coach in Your Pocket
- Headspace – Meditation and Mindfulness Made Simple
- DARE App – Break Free From Anxiety
- Moodbeam – Monitor Your Emotional Wellbeing
- MindDoc – Your Mental Health Companion
- Welltory – Manage Your Stress and Energy
- Woebot – An AI-based Therapy Chatbot to Help with Depression and Anxiety
- Mind Share Partners – Toolkits & Downloadables for Workplace Mental Health
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Richard Tubb is one of the best-known experts within the global IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) community. He launched and sold his own MSP business before creating a leading MSP media and consultancy practice. Richard helps IT business owner’s take back control by freeing up their time and building a business that can run without them. He’s the author of the book “The IT Business Owner’s Survival Guide” and writer of the award-winning blog www.tubblog.co.uk
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