Why Your Biggest Business Problem Isn't What You Think: How Data Obliterated My Assumptions (And Saved My Mission to Change Lives)

What if I told you EVERYTHING you assumed about your business’s biggest challenge was wrong? Today, I saw my own beliefs smashed by cold, hard data—and it could completely change the way you lead, grow, and succeed. Ready to stop running in circles? Let’s dive in.

I Thought I Knew My Audience—Until Data Proved Me Utterly Wrong

As the Runpreneur, every stride I take isn’t just about logging another kilometre or ticking off another consecutive day on my challenge. It’s about learning, adapting, and—most importantly—using these lessons to raise £1,000,000 for children’s causes as I push beyond 4,292 days and around the world’s 40,075km. But today, the biggest leap wasn’t on the road. It was in my mindset.

Making Assumptions: The Human Trap

Let’s get honest—we ALL make assumptions. We meet someone, and within 10 seconds we’ve sized them up. In business, it’s no different. If you manage a business, a team, or even just yourself, there’s always that temptation to think you know what’s really going on. But here’s the kicker: acting on those assumptions alone can leave you chasing your tail, wasting time, money, and opportunities.

For years, I believed that cash flow problems were the number one pain point for entrepreneurs—after all, 85% say it’s a key stressor. So, wouldn’t that be the best angle for my campaign?

The Moment Data Blew My Mind

Today, proof arrived in the form of unfiltered data from our paid ads. Three adverts targeted three pain points:

• Cash flow management issues

• Entrepreneurial overwhelm (long hours, lack of systems)

• People management struggles

My bet was on cash flow. But the clear runaway winner? Overwhelm. By a factor of 30 to 40 times! Not just a statistical blip—the data screamed it.

It wasn’t the numbers on the spreadsheet or the people puzzle—what’s paralysing entrepreneurs, my core audience, is the never-ending marathon of doing everything themselves. 50- and 60-hour weeks, poor systems, looming burnout. THAT is their biggest pain, and it’s been staring me in the face all along.

Actionable Lesson: Never Act on Assumption Alone

Here’s what today reinforced for me, and what YOU need to take away:

• We all make assumptions—it’s natural.

• Acting on them without real data is dangerous.

• Wait for proof. When it arrives, move FAST and with complete focus.

If I’d charged ahead with my cash flow message, I’d be wasting energy—and the entire mission to save children’s lives would suffer. Instead, the data tells me to zero in on solutions for overwhelm and system failures. I’m all in.

For You: Stop Guessing, Start Winning

Where are you making assumptions in your life or work? What data can you gather right now to make a smarter decision? Remember—your most powerful breakthroughs are waiting just beyond your comfort zone, right where you let evidence guide your next step.

Be Part of the Journey to 40,075km and £1,000,000 for Children

My mission is massive—run a lap of the world, raise £1M for children’s causes, go beyond 4,292 consecutive days. But I can only do it with your support.

If you believe in changing lives, being part of something truly global, and learning how data can change EVERYTHING—subscribe, share, comment, and join the runpreneur community.

The bigger our movement, the more children’s lives we save. And remember: stay positive, stay happy, and keep questioning the obvious—because the answers that matter are buried in the data you haven’t looked at...yet.

Let’s smash assumptions, change lives, and run further—together. Drop your questions or thoughts below, and I’ll respond to every relevant one. Are you with me?