At first glance, that probably sounds backwards. But hear me out.
When you're trying to grow a business, you're faced with decisions every day. Some will move you forward. Others can quietly send you in the wrong direction. Instead of guessing what's next, I believe the smartest place to start is by looking at what has already happened.
Before making an important decision, I ask a few simple questions:
- What have we done well?
- What's become stagnant?
- What's declining, and why?
The numbers alone rarely tell the whole story. They only become meaningful when you connect them to what changed—a pricing adjustment, a slower internal process, a shift in customer demand, or a product that no longer fits the market as well as it once did.
That's where data analysis becomes valuable. It helps separate meaningful trends from temporary noise, allowing you to make thoughtful decisions instead of reacting emotionally to one good month or one bad one.
When I look back, I usually find that every product, service, or process falls into one of three categories:
Double down. It's working, customers value it, and there's an opportunity to grow.
Adapt. It still has potential, but something has changed, and it needs to evolve.
Let it go. Sometimes the most valuable lesson the data provides is knowing when it's time to move on.
Those answers aren't always obvious when you're focused only on what's ahead. Looking back often provides the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.
The next time you're trying to figure out your next move, don't be afraid to spend a little time in the rearview mirror. Sometimes the fastest way forward begins by understanding where you've been.