7 Powerful Techniques for More Productive MSP Thinking Time

Last week, Richard shared his thoughts on why it’s important as the owner of a busy MSP (managed service provider) business to stop, rest and do some thinking about where your business is now and where you’d like it to be.

But I know from my own experience that it’s easier said than done. When you’re the person in charge and the buck stops with you, it’s easy to be distracted and to go back to work to fix a problem that only you can fix.

So, here are seven techniques that you can use to help you prioritise that thinking time. Let me know which ones you think will work best for you!

1.Buy a Notebook

I know, you’re a techy at heart and you love finding new tools to play with! But for reflecting on your business and your goals, I strongly recommend you put down the reMarkable and find yourself a nice notebook.

Why? Because if you use a digital device, you’ll be tempted to do something else with it. Worse, if it’s got wifi access, you’ll think, “Oh, I’ll just check my emails. I’ll only be a moment”. And before you know it, you’re answering queries and arranging meetings.

So treat yourself to a hardback notebook and a pen, and keep it ready for your next ‘thinking time’ session. I’m not saying you have to journal in it, although you can if you like. Instead, make notes on things you’ll do when you’re back in the office – things that will move your business forward. Don’t make a to-do list for the next day!

2. Find the Best Place for Thinking Time

Everyone is different and we all have our preferences for how and where we like to work. The same applies to thinking time. Maybe you want complete quiet, so you need to go somewhere private. For example, the Lit and Phil in Newcastle upon Tyne (a private library) has cubbies you can use only if you promise to sit in total silence!

Or perhaps you like a bit of background noise. If a coffee shop has too many distractions, see if you can hire a hot desk at a co-working space. That way you still feel part of something but you can focus on your own stuff. Just don’t get into a long conversation at the coffee station!

Whatever you prefer, I encourage you to get out of the office. A change of scene will help you to think more clearly and objectively, and means that colleagues can’t tap on the door to distract you.

3. Protect Your Thinking Time

OK, it’s in the diary so you’re committed. But are you really? If you know you’re likely to look for an excuse not to give yourself downtime, then put things in place before you do that. If you use an online booking tool such as TidyCal, delete all of your availability for the day/s you’ve picked for downtime.

Tell your team you won’t be available, and give them plenty of time to come to you with any queries they have. Try not to do any meetings or start a piece of work the day before – you might be tempted to rearrange your time out so you can finish it.

Remember that this is time for you to work on your business, so don’t accept invitations for networking, client lunches or evening events. Don’t use this time to see family or friends, either. If you feel you need to spend quality time with people, add that to your diary too, and make it a priority for another day.

4. Make Time out Part of Something Else

Is there a conference you’d like to attend but something always comes up at the last minute? Is there a course you’d like to do? Book yourself a ticket, plan the travel if you need to, and make sure you leave the office and do it!

I find that when I’m in a different environment, surrounded by fellow business owners, that my brain automatically focuses on new content ideas, services I could offer, potential for collaborations and so on.

If the same happens for you, put time in your diary after the event for some proper thinking time. If you travel home by train, get a coffee and your notebook (you DID buy that notebook from suggestion one, didn’t you?) and jot down your thoughts. Or book a co-working hot desk and do it there. And make sure you follow up with anyone you met who you’d like to get to know better.

5. Find a Buddy

You don’t have to do your thinking alone! Yes, your business is personal to you, but you can seek advice and support from someone you trust. Plus, doing your business review at the same time as someone else means you’re more likely to stick to the date you’ve picked. You don’t want to let them down.

You can do this however you like – perhaps as a mini mastermind where you share your current challenges to get their thoughts. Or you might prefer to work separately and share goals at the end for some accountability.

Again, you could tie it into attending an industry event, or reward yourselves with a meal out or a couple of glasses of wine in a nice bar. Take time to celebrate the wins you’ve identified when you did your business review!

6. Plan Your Review Ahead of Time

Once you’ve got the date in the diary for your active thinking time and review session, make a list of some of the things you want to ponder. Having these ready (on paper, not a screen) for when you get set up in your chosen space will make it easier to get started. It could include:

Turnover and revenueNew clients/lost clientsNew services introduced/old services discontinuedEmployeesTraining undertakenKnowledge gapsSWOT/PEST analysesKey relationships to nurtureYour suppliers, collaborators and other partnersTech stack reviewSubscriptions reviewNetworking and marketing opportunitiesContent review and new content you’d like to create

And give yourself some space for doodling and free writing to see what comes up.

7. Schedule Your Next Thinking Time Session Now

This isn’t a one-and-done scenario. Whether you decide to go down the QBR (quarterly business review) route or decide to do it ad-hoc, you still need to allocate some time to do your next thinking session.

If you’re doing it quarterly, then it’s easy to get a date in the diary for 12 weeks ahead. If ad-hoc, maybe pencil in your next session after a key event has passed, or at an interval that you feel comfortable with. DON’T make this an annual event. Annual planning and reviewing has its place, but we want you to have some time to rest and reflect, not making financial goals.

What do you think? Can you see yourself dedicating time and space to think? Let us know in the comments!

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