Do you often find yourself juggling multiple roles – trainer, manager, marketer, bookkeeper, service deliverer and so on? You’re not alone. May small business owners in the fitness and wellbeing industries find them selves in exactly the same spot. When time is scarce, it can be tempting to try to fast track certain decisions, and assumptions can feel like a quick fix. “This will work,” you might tell yourself, “because it worked before.” Or, “I don’t have time to look at that spreadsheet, I just know.” These assumptions seem like time-savers, but more often than not, they sabotage your success, wasting more time and resources in the long run.
Here’s a short and sweet beginner’s guide to why you can’t afford to assume anything in business, and how a mindset shift toward seeking evidence, facts, and data can save you time, money, and mental and emotional stress.
- Assumptions Can Be the Enemy of Growth.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you know what your clients want or that you understand the trends in your business. After all, you’ve been doing this for a while, right? The truth is, making assumptions based on past experiences or gut feelings can limit your growth. In any business industry trends, client needs, and market dynamics can shift rapidly, so assumptions can lead you down the wrong path.
For example, let’s say you assume that a new class you’ve introduced is popular because a few clients mentioned it. You decide to add more sessions, only to find the attendance dwindling over time. The reality is, a small group of vocal clients doesn’t represent the majority. By failing to check the actual numbers – attendance data, feedback from more clients and retention rates – you may have wasted time and resources expanding something that wasn’t as successful as you thought.
The key takeaway: Don’t guess – measure. Use surveys, client feedback, and actual data to make informed decisions. Without solid evidence, you’re flying blindfolded, and in the end, that can hold your business back rather than push it forward.
- Data-Driven Decisions Prevent Self-Sabotage.
Assumptions aren’t just a time-saving shortcut, they can be a form of self-sabotage. It sounds counterintuitive, but sometimes a part of us chooses to assume because deep down, we’re afraid of what the real data might reveal. What if your newest service isn’t as popular as you hoped? What if your marketing campaign isn’t attracting as many clients as you wanted?
It’s easier to assume things are fine than to face potential disappointment or challenges – burying your head in the sand never goes well for any of us. But this avoidance mindset is where self-sabotage begins. When you don’t face the facts, you’re not giving yourself the chance to make changes that could propel your business forward. You might be stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, where your business is surviving but not thriving. Remember your ego likes survival, it doesn’t care if you thrive but there’s so much more to life and business than simply surviving.
For example, imagine you assume that your social media marketing is effective because you’re getting likes and comments. However, you haven’t checked how many of those interactions convert into actual clients. If you dug into the data, you might find that while your posts are popular, they’re not generating revenue. Recognising this allows you to adjust your strategy. Perhaps focusing more on targeted ads or client testimonials or realising that your ideal paying client doesn’t buy via social media and therefore you are better off investing your time and money in another form of marketing that actually drives growth. How would you feel if you didn’t have to use social media? I’ll stop there because that’s a completely different blog topic.
- The Cost of Time and Money.
Assuming can feel like a time-saver, especially when you’re already stretched to the limit and spread too thin. But the irony is, assumptions often lead to wasted time and money. When you base decisions on guesswork rather than facts, you’re more likely to make mistakes that need correcting later.
Think about the hours you could spend launching a new service that, based on assumptions, should be a hit, only to realise months later that it’s not resonating with your clients. Now, you’ve not only lost the time you invested in creating and marketing the service, but you’ve also lost money by not focusing on more profitable opportunities.
A study by McKinsey found that data-driven organisations are 23 times more likely to acquire customers, six times more likely to retain them, and 19 times more likely to be profitable. I like that research! So when you rely on data instead of assumptions, you make better decisions that save time and increase your turnover.
The next time you’re tempted to make a quick decision based on an assumption, take a step back. Ask yourself: What do the numbers say? What feedback have I received? What evidence supports this choice? Taking a little extra time upfront to gather facts will save you countless hours (and pounds) in the long run.
- Shifting Your Mindset From Assumption To Curiosity.
One of the most powerful shifts you can make as a business owner is to move from an assumption-based mindset to one of curiosity. Instead of thinking, “I know what’s best for my business,” start asking, “What don’t I know yet?” This subtle change in mindset opens you up to discovering new insights, opportunities, and strategies that can lead to greater success.
Curiosity drives you to ask questions, seek evidence, and continuously learn. It helps you stay adaptable and basically business success is all about being the most adaptable. When you’re curious, you’re more likely to look for patterns in your data, listen to your clients’ evolving needs, and experiment with new approaches.
For example, instead of assuming you know the best time slots for your classes, why not survey your clients? Instead of guessing which marketing channel is most effective, track your leads and conversions to see where they’re really coming from. Curiosity keeps you engaged and motivated to find the best solutions, rather than settling for assumptions.
- Build a Culture of Evidence-Based Decisions.
If you have a team, big or small, it’s important to foster a culture where evidence-based decisions are the norm, not the exception. Encourage your team members to back up their ideas with data and facts. This not only improves the quality of your business decisions but also empowers your team to think critically and take ownership of their roles.
When everyone in your business is committed to seeking evidence, you reduce the risk of costly mistakes. For example, if your marketing assistant suggests a new campaign, ask them to present data or research that supports their idea. This approach helps ensure that your limited time and resources are used in the most effective way possible. So often we can be seduced by “shiny objects” and via off on a tangent that doesn’t bring us what we need. Encouraging everyone to use evidence means you are more likely to stay on track too.
In Conclusion…
Assumptions can feel like a quick fix in the short term, but they often lead to long-term setbacks. By shifting your mindset from assumption to curiosity, and committing to evidence-based decisions, you set your business up for sustainable growth AND success. The facts may sometimes be uncomfortable, but they are your allies in creating a thriving business. The next time you are tempted to assume, remember what “assume” stands for: Making an “ass” out of “u” and “me!”
Until next time,
Best wishes
Philippa x