# Data, Systems, and Choices By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2023-01-15 What would you do differently if you had tons of data about your daily activities? We already do some of this by tracking our weight, steps, and calories consumed. Collecting this kind of data generally shows improvements in health. However, it's also very easy to collect this data and do absolutely nothing with it. Making a change requires energy and attention. There has to be a reason for it or else it's just noise. The same applies to organizations and data. Simply collecting data isn't going to magically generate insights. You have to look for them. The process of looking is the most valuable thing, even if the data does not exist. For example, let's say you want to lose weight but you have no data on your health. Can you make healthier choices without mountains of data, sensors, and scales? Yes. The data is not the system or your choices. They are mere reflections. Sometimes these reflections help us improve. Like looking in the mirror to fix your hair before heading out. Other times these reflections are distractions. Like looking in the mirror to lose weight when you'd be better off exercising. Knowing the difference between the data and the system is critical. If you mix them up, you'll end up living in the past, present, and future that never was. #### Related Items [[Data]] [[Data Limits]] [[Systems Thinking]] [[Change]] [[Choice]]