EP185 - How to Get Energised and Excited About Your MSP with Fiona Challis The IT Experts Podcast

Fiona has spent over 25 years in the IT industry, with 16 of those years dedicated to running a successful sales training company. Two years ago, she took a step back from the industry, driven by personal milestones and a desire for change. Her son leaving for university provided her with a quiet house and a moment to reflect on her life and career. She realised that she was bored and needed to find a new passion. This led her to immerse herself in the world of entrepreneurship, working extensively with female entrepreneurs outside the MSP industry. This break rejuvenated her and equipped her with fresh perspectives and strategies that she now brings back to the MSP community. 

During our conversation, Fiona and I discussed the importance of getting back into the flow of your business. Flow, as Fiona describes, is about doing what you love and what energises you. It’s crucial for MSP owners to identify their strengths and passions to stay motivated and productive. Fiona emphasises the need to align your business with your personal values and strengths. She suggests using tools like the Gallup StrengthsFinder and the VIA Character Strengths Test to understand what puts you in your flow. For Fiona, speaking and engaging with people is her flow, whereas technical tasks and social media posts are not. 

We also talked about the importance of giving yourself permission to pivot and course-correct in your business. If you find yourself stuck or unfulfilled, it’s essential to reassess and make changes that align with your passions and lifestyle goals. Fiona shared that even if it means stepping back from certain roles or delegating tasks, it’s vital to ensure you’re doing what you enjoy. This not only brings back your energy but also positively impacts your business’s success. 

Mindset plays a significant role in an MSP owner's journey. Fiona highlights the need to overcome limiting beliefs that can hold you back. These beliefs often stem from past experiences and can manifest as thoughts like “I’m not worthy” or “I’m not enough.” Recognising and reprogramming these beliefs is crucial. Fiona suggests that awareness is the first step – identifying when these beliefs come up, especially during stressful or challenging times. By shifting your mindset to focus on possibilities and potential, you can break through these barriers and unlock new levels of growth and success. 

Fear is another major factor that can block success. Fiona advises MSP owners to not let fear drive their business decisions. Instead, they should focus on what they desire and align themselves with that vision. This shift in energy and mindset can significantly impact the business’s trajectory. She encourages owners to ask themselves, “What if it works?” and to stay hungry and passionate about their goals. 

Throughout the episode, Fiona shared her personal experiences of stepping out of her comfort zone and the benefits it brought to her life and business. She reminded us that it’s essential to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. By focusing on personal growth and aligning your business with your passions, you can create a fulfilling and successful MSP. 

You can connect with Fiona Challis through her LinkedIn profile HERE 

Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK 

And when you’re ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you’ll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads. 

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Until next time, look after yourself and I’ll catch up with you soon!