"در دنیای تجارت، آینه عقب همیشه از شیشه جلو واضح‌تر است"

Looking back, we can see the path we've taken with absolute clarity. Every decision, every mistake—it all makes sense in hindsight. But when we're staring ahead, the road looks hazy and uncertain. That's really the crux of this idea: it's easier to understand the past than to predict the future, especially in business.

Why did someone say this? Picture the business world. It's like driving on a dark, winding road. You can clearly see where you’ve been, but the way forward is murky. This quote captures that feeling of clarity about past choices while acknowledging the uncertainty of what's to come. It’s familiar territory for anyone who’s ever run a business or even planned a major project.

Take, for instance, the story of Kodak. Decades ago, Kodak was the giant of the photography industry. They had the market cornered on film. But when digital photography started creeping in, they didn’t see the big picture. They were looking forward through a foggy windshield, unable to fully grasp the changes barreling towards them. In hindsight, they missed their chance to pivot—something that’s crystal clear now. If they had recognized the potential of digital sooner, maybe they'd still be a household name.

So, how can you use this nugget of wisdom? First, accept that you can't predict the future perfectly. That’s not a bad thing; it’s just reality. Focus on learning from your past. Every mistake or success is a lesson. Keep an eye on your rearview mirror, but don’t get stuck staring at it. Balance is key.

Imagine you’re working on a startup. You’ve had some wins and plenty of stumbles. One product launch flopped. Another excelled. Instead of beating yourself up over failures or getting too comfortable with success, you analyze what worked and what didn’t. Maybe your marketing was off, or the product wasn’t ready. Use that clarity from the past to inform your next steps. But remember, the next move is always a bit of a gamble.

Let’s dive into a more relatable scenario. Think about planning a vacation. You've been to a few places before—some trips were amazing, others, not so much. When you plan your next trip, you use what you’ve learned. Maybe you book a hotel in the city center because last time you stayed too far out and wasted hours commuting. You skip the tourist traps because they were a letdown before. Your past experiences shape a better future trip. But there’ll still be uncertainties—weather, local events, maybe even a missed flight. You can't plan for everything, and that's okay.

The same goes for business. Sure, the rearview mirror gives you clarity about where you’ve been. But you’ve got to keep looking ahead, even if it’s foggy and uncertain. Trust the lessons you’ve learned, but stay adaptable. The road ahead will always be unclear, but that’s part of the adventure. So buckle up, stay sharp, and keep driving forward.

That's it—just remember that clarity from your past can guide you, but it’s not a crystal ball for the future. Use both perspectives wisely, and you'll navigate the twists and turns a whole lot better.