If you could go back in time and start your business from scratch, what would you do differently? This question isn’t just a fun thought experiment—it’s a powerful way to think about your growth. By looking at where you are now, what could be better, and what choices you might have made differently, you can find useful lessons to improve your current and future work.
The truth is, life and business often feel like they’re on repeat. You might not face the exact same problems or chances twice, but many challenges feel very similar. Some missed opportunities are gone for good, leaving behind either lasting harm or a chance for profit and learning that you didn’t take. So, what can we learn from this? And how can we use these lessons to make better choices going forward?
How Our Subconscious Mind Affects Business
Our subconscious mind plays a big role in how we make business decisions. It learns from our experiences—both good and bad—but tends to focus more on the bad ones. For example, if you had a bad experience working with a certain company, your subconscious mind stores that memory and warns you to be careful the next time you deal with them. This warning often shows up as feelings like fear, doubt, delay, stress, or worry.
This subconscious system is a survival tool we got from our ancestors, who needed it to get by in a world without modern ways of communicating. In today’s business world, though, the focus is different. It’s less about survival and more about communication, planning, and managing gains and losses. Still, our subconscious mind works the same way, often stopping us from taking risks or grabbing opportunities.
Looking Back at Past Choices
So, let’s go back to the main question: If you could go back in time, what would you change? Which choices would you avoid, and which ones would you make that you didn’t before? To answer this, take a moment to think about your journey. Grab a piece of paper and write down the key moments in your business—both the wins and the losses. Ask yourself:
- What choices led to the most growth?
Figure out the decisions that helped your business the most. These are the ones you’d probably make again if you had the chance. - What mistakes could have been avoided?
Think about the errors that cost you time, money, or chances. Were there signs you ignored? What would you do differently now? - What chances did you miss?
Look back at the opportunities you didn’t take. Were you too careful? Did fear or doubt stop you? How could you handle similar chances in the future? - What tough choices did you put off?
Sometimes, the hardest decisions—like ending a bad client relationship or changing your business model—are the ones that lead to the most growth. Were there choices you avoided that, looking back, would have helped your business?
Learning from the Past to Do Better in the Future
The good thing about looking back is that it helps us learn from our past without being stuck in it. While we can’t change what’s already happened, we can use those experiences to make better choices going forward. Here are a few practical steps to help you use these lessons:
- Spot Patterns
Look for repeating themes in your thoughts. Are there certain types of decisions you always find hard? Are there specific situations where your subconscious fears stop you? Seeing these patterns is the first step to breaking them. - Change Your Thinking
Instead of seeing past mistakes as failures, treat them as chances to learn. Every error is a step toward growth. By changing how you think about them, you can lessen the emotional weight of past choices and focus on what you can control. - Take Smart Risks
While it’s important to learn from past mistakes, don’t let fear stop you. The business world rewards those who take smart risks. Use your past experiences to guide your choices, but don’t be afraid to try new things. - Talk and Work with Others
Unlike our ancestors, we live in a world where communication is key. Use your network, ask for advice, and work with others to make better decisions. Sometimes, an outside view can help you see chances or risks you might have missed.
If you could go back and start your business over, you’d probably make different choices. But the real power is in using those thoughts to shape your future. By understanding where you’ve been, you can make smarter decisions about where you’re going.
So, take the time to think, learn, and grow. Your past doesn’t define you—it prepares you. And with the right mindset, you can turn those lessons into a brighter, more successful future for your business.
What would you change if you could start over?