So here we are. Unprecedented. Your small business is facing a challenge you could never have imagined and this change happened in the blink of an eye. You don’t know what will happen in the future. Will your business have a place in the “new normal”? Can you even say? The new normal is constantly evolving. But, so can you.

If you can get your business back on track, continue working on reopening and planning for full capacity. On the other hand, if you are unclear about what the future holds for your business, now is the time to do some inner work. 

If you think your business may no longer be viable in its current form, learning about yourself will help steer the new direction you should take your business.

Who Am I?
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How are you naturally wired? To find out, take a few personality assessments to learn about yourself. You are much more likely to be happy and successful if you do work that fits your natural personality type. There is a wide range of assessments available. Some may require a fee or a trained professional to administer the test. Start with a free or inexpensive version to get a general idea of what your natural inclinations are. 

Consider the following personality assessments:​

Myers Briggs 
CliftonStrengths
DISC (Truity) 
Kolbe A 

Logos are registered trademarks of the respective companies. Bill Ross and Opposite of Work are not affiliated with any of these organizations and makes no representation or claims of any kind to these third party ​companies or their assessments.

What Am I Good At?

Make a list of the things you know you are good at. Think of things that have always come easy to you in comparison to others. For example, did you always pull straight A’s in a given topic in school? Are you the one in your peer group who always organizes the events and gets people together? Are you talented at drawing or painting? Make a list of all the things you are good at, regardless of how you became good at it (whether through training or natural ability).

What Do I Love Doing?

Make a list of the things you love doing. This can be both personally and professionally. Think of times when you are in the zone, where time flies by and your mind is clear while you are engaged in the activity. Examples may include running data analysis, leading a presentation, coaching little league, gardening, or running.
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Look for the items and characteristics that appear in all three categories.

The common area is where you will have the best chance of being happy and satisfied in your work. Which can lead to being more successful because you’re motivated and passionate about what you are doing.

If you need to pivot your business model, modify your strategy, or completely change the way you generate revenue, you should start with the inner work to find out what you want to be doing moving forward. Then you can focus on the how.

​We see motivational Instagram posts designed to keep us inspired. Do they help? Sometimes. Do they make us roll our eyes? Sometimes. Do we love them or hate them? Sometimes.

Overall, I like motivational posts and quotes. I appreciate positive affirmations that give me a little mood boost. As long as they aren’t preachy or trying to lecture me. Nothing irks me more than the Internet telling me how to live my life. 

​Encouraging quotes and sayings pop up all over, but what do they even mean anyway? It depends. They mean something different to everyone. If you catch one that resonates with you at the right moment, it gives you that push you need to stay in the game. Or they make you feel like you're not alone out there. Quotes and sayings may even remind you of why you started your small business in the first place. And they help you stay motivated, especially when times are difficult.

When I was running my eCommerce company, I always had the following quote from Calvin Coolidge taped to the wall above my desk. 

People may feel insecure when comparing themselves to others. I remind myself that I work hard and remain focused on my goals. I am persistent and actively work on things that improve my skills (such as an advanced course on Google Sheets) or activities that help move the business forward (for example, an online ad on Facebook). Some actions are directly related to a plan, others are ancillary. The key is being persistent, staying active, and always doing something. I call this ROA or Return on Activity.
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So, to me that inspirational post Just Keep Going means staying active, being persistent, and having faith in that ROA.

​Bill Ross is a business coach and consultant offering small business owners and entrepreneurs advice and support to help them achieve their goals. Learn More