Last week we held our annual “all members” event that had 1,332 MSPs registered in person, over 950 attending virtually, plus another 350+ sponsor attendees. It’s a BIG show, with a LOT of moving parts.
In every way, we attempt to make it a “success environment” where WE can do our best work and let our attendees get the MAXIMUM value. This is one of the reasons we have so many returning members – it’s an environment of PEOPLE and IDEAS that inspires, instructs and gets them out of their office to think a bit more about their business in a way they might not otherwise do. It’s also intentionally fun and themed because we learn more when in a positive state of mind, with carefully selected speakers and topics.
Unfortunately, not everything goes according to plan…from spotty Internet, a suspected mold problem (that kicked off my allergy in the worst possible way onstage), schedule delays, to videos not playing, insufficient power outlets, some rooms waaaaay too hot while others were cold enough to store meat, there were plenty of things we had to tap-dance around.
ALL of these items will go on a checklist for the NEXT event to ensure they aren’t repeated. That’s because achieving maximum productivity requires an environment with zero distractions and frictions that detract.
Not many people understand this concept and subsequently put themselves in FAILURE environments that are far from productive and full of distractions, interruptions and friction counterproductive to success, preventing them from fully focusing on the job at hand. Is it any wonder people constantly feel overwhelmed? Behind? Scatterbrained? You cannot achieve maximum productivity when your environment is working against you.
Here are some examples of things you’re allowing into your environment that are counterproductive:
• Your cell phone (and the constant need to check every inbound call or message)
• Social media (and the pull to scroll it)
• Dysfunctional people (clients, vendors, employees all count)
• Addictions (food, cigarettes, alcohol or worse)
Also on the list: attempting to work while at Starbucks or similar unproductive environments, like allowing for UNSCHEDULED client or prospect phone calls while you’re driving or otherwise distracted and unprepared. I’ve seen guys trying to close important business deals while walking through the airport, totally distracted, background noise and a poor cell connection making it worse. This is stupidity at its max.
This is why some people can’t work from home. They have kids and pets walking in unannounced at the worst possible moments. A spouse who interrupts them. Or they can’t stop themselves from doing household chores like throwing in a load of laundry, mowing the lawn, cooking food, etc.
When I’m cutting weight, I dare not have Skinny Pop Popcorn in the house because I cannot stop myself from eating it. Most other snacks don’t tempt me. But Skinny Pop? I treat the family-size bag as a “single serving.” Same with Jeni’s ice cream. It cannot be in our freezer or consider it GONE – so I make sure not to buy it because doing so sets me up to fail. If I want to lose weight, my environment has to support that.
Here’s a suggestion: take inventory of the people and things around you.
If you know there are things and people in your environment that are preventing you from achieving maximum productivity or are distracting you from being in the best possible state of mind to succeed, you have to get rid of them from your WORK environment so you can maximize your personal performance.
Otherwise, you’re sabotaging yourself.
Second, you should invest in attending the events we host because they are INTENTIONALLY DESGINED to be a “success environment” that encourages conversation, collaboration and inspiration. Over and over again I hear from people that they *almost* stayed home and are extremely glad they didn’t. Virtual is just not the same. You don’t get to feed off the energy and you won’t be as engaged.
Zig used to say folks would poke fun at his advice to listen to motivational talks and read motivational material saying it doesn’t last. He’d fire back, “Neither does a bath, which is why we recommend you do it daily.”
Get some.
Success isn’t just about putting in the work—it’s about creating the right environment to thrive. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, apply for the 2025 MSP Titans of the Industry Awards. This is your chance to showcase how you’ve conquered challenges and built a productivity-driven environment that fuels growth and innovation. Apply today to be recognized for your hard-earned success!
