--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: you had to know what you were looking for…" description: "\"“you had to know what you were looking for or the data would drown you.”\" — Steve Robinson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee7/steve-robinson-50813_data_you-had-to-know-what-you-were-looking-fo_2341968.jpg" --- # you had to know what you were looking for or the data… ![“you had to know what you were looking for or the data would drown you.” quote by Steve Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee7/steve-robinson-50813_data_you-had-to-know-what-you-were-looking-fo_2341968.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee7/steve-robinson-50813_data_you-had-to-know-what-you-were-looking-fo_2341968.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee7/steve-robinson-50813_data_you-had-to-know-what-you-were-looking-fo_2341968.jpg) > ““you had to know what you were looking for or the data would drown you.”” [Steve Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-robinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker warns that without clear goals, data can overwhelm and mislead decision‑makers. **In simple terms:** Know your goal or data will confuse you. Key Takeaway Define objectives before analyzing data. Themes data clarity decision‑making Mood analytical cautious Type professional practical When to use this quote - business strategy - research projects - personal budgeting Key Concepts information overload goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What question are you trying to answer with your data? - How do you prevent analysis paralysis? A Different Perspective It may understate the value of exploratory analysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Data](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/data/) ## Related quotes > [Looking back to data, we can see if the consequences are plausible; looking forward to theory, we can see if general principles are suggested.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henry-holland/looking-back-to-data-we-can-see-if-the-consequences-are-plausible/) [John Henry Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henry-holland/) > [If you are looking at data over and over you better be taking away valuable insight every time. 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But once you know what you're looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-chan/most-people-can-t-see-what-s-in-front-of-them-if-they-don-t-know-what/) [Crystal Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-chan/) > [“But the truly brilliant geocachers?" "Yeah?" he says. "What about us?" "They know it by its real name. Terra Firma." 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I DIDN’T KNOW WHO I WAS WHEN…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shey-stahl/if-i-was-the-same-person-when-others-weren-t-looking-as-i-was-when/) [Shey Stahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shey-stahl/) > [Ain't even gotta open your eyes, know what your looking at and I ain't even have to open my eyes when I was cooking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-jeezy/ain-t-even-gotta-open-your-eyes-know-what-your-looking-at-and-i-ain-t/) [Young Jeezy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-jeezy/) ## More by Steve Robinson > [“HIstory collects secrets like politicians collect lies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-robinson/history-collects-secrets-like-politicians-collect-lies/) [Steve Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-robinson/) > [“I have a fear of dying partway through a book—of never knowing the ending. 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