Data Is Neutral:
What we do with it makes the difference
Data is not inherently positive or negative, but neutral.
How we interpret our data and, more importantly, how we take action on that data is what creates either an upward or downward spiral.
Leaning back into my recent exploration of self-development through the lens of video games, data can be seen as the information you gather after a boss fight you didn’t win or a level you couldn’t complete.
At first glance, that boss may feel unbeatable. Too strong. Too fast. Too punishing. That level may feel too complex, the obstacles too challenging. But defeat gives you something valuable if you’re willing to look closely: information. You learn the boss’s patterns, strengths, and weaknesses. You track a level’s pitfalls, dead ends, and possible hidden paths. And in the process, you notice where your own skills align and where they fall short.
Sometimes the data tells you exactly what to do next.
Sometimes it tells you to backtrack.
To go slower and stay aware of unnoticed pathways or missed clues.
To level up and strengthen a few fundamentals before trying again.
When you return, you’re not the same player you were before.
The loss has been alchemized into learning.
And learning, applied, becomes progress.
This is how I think about modern health and performance data as well.
Tools like the Oura Ring are increasingly popular, and for good reason. They offer visibility into patterns we can’t always feel clearly, especially at the beginning. When I first started using mine, my sleep was irregular and my habits were out of alignment. The data made it easy to see what needed attention, and small changes led to meaningful improvements.
But something interesting happened as I “leveled up.”
As my sleep became more consistent, I started paying too much attention to the scores themselves rather than what they were pointing to. A lower readiness score could trigger stress. A “less-than-ideal” number could shape my mood before the day even began. The data, which had once been helpful, started quietly working against me.
That’s when I had to step back and remember what the data was for.
Scores aren’t an indication of success or failure. They’re simply context.
Early on, my readiness might score in the 90s after only six hours of sleep with a resting heart rate around 60. But once my baseline improved, those same numbers could produce a readiness score closer to 60. Not because I was doing worse, but because the system was now measuring me against a higher standard.
I hadn’t gotten weaker or started performing worse. I was simply taking on a more challenging level, a stronger “boss fight.” I was doing better than ever, and the data was now tracking me at this new baseline while offering clues on how to reach an even higher level and fulfill greater potential.
I had gotten stronger.
When we forget that, we risk mistaking progress for failure.
Used well, data shows us what’s working and what needs refinement. It helps us make informed decisions, adjust our strategy, and choose our next save point wisely. Used poorly, it becomes a judgment rather than a tool.
The invitation is simple:
Let the data teach you.
Not define you.
Every readout is information.
Every setback is feedback.
And every “loss” carries the seeds of your next win.
Welcome back to the game. 🎮✨
About Eos Coaching
Eos Coaching is rooted in the practice of making the most of today. Through functional wellness, performance coaching, and reflective practice, I work with individuals who want to build strength, clarity, and consistency without burnout.
This Substack is an extension of that work. A place for field notes, reflections, and practical tools that support steady progress and self-trust.
You can learn more about my coaching work or subscribe to my bi-weekly newsletter, Reflections, at eoscoaching.us.