I used to think of data analytics as something reserved for tech geniuses and some nerds, people who speak in code and live in a world of complex spreadsheets and obscure tools. I imagined them in a windowless room, surrounded by monitors, crunching numbers until their eyes glazed over. But the truth is, nothing could be further from reality.

In my own career and life, I’ve come to realize that data isn’t just about numbers; it’s about stories. It’s a skill that has transformed how I work, how I make decisions, and even how I understand my own life. This isn’t just a technical skill; it’s a superpower for clarity. While I started doing professional analysis in 2016, I didn’t truly dive into the deep stack of spreadsheets until 2022, when I entered the fast-paced world of tech startups.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by data, this is for you. I want to share a different perspective, one that starts with curiosity, not coding. We’ll look at why this skill is so vital and how you can start building it with simple, practical habits, just like I did.

Why Data Analytics is Your Secret Weapon

Think about the most successful leaders and innovators you know. What do they have in common? They’re great storytellers, and they make smart, informed decisions. Data analytics is the engine behind that.

• For the Leader: As a leader, data analytics helps you move beyond gut feelings. Instead of saying, “I think our campaign worked,” you can say, “Our data shows that this specific message led to a 20% increase in customer engagement.” It’s the difference between a guess and a confident, data-backed decision. It empowers you to see the big picture and identify trends before they become problems.
• For the Problem-Solver: In any job, from marketing to product development to human resources, you’re constantly trying to solve puzzles. Why are sales down this quarter? What’s the biggest bottleneck in our workflow? Data analytics provides the clues. It gives you the evidence you need to uncover root causes and develop effective solutions.
• For Your Personal Life: This skill isn’t just for the office. Have you ever wondered why you’re always tired, or where all your money goes? By applying data analytics to your personal life, you can find the answers. Maybe your spending habits are different on weekends, or maybe a lack of sleep on Mondays is affecting your productivity. It’s about turning daily chaos into actionable insights.

Simple Habits for a Data-Driven Mind

The journey starts small. Forget about complex tools for a moment. You can begin with what you already have: your own experiences and a bit of curiosity. Here are a few concrete steps you can take today.

1. Ask a Smart Question, Not a Broad One

Before you open any spreadsheet, define your purpose. A simple, focused question is your compass.

• Example Exercise: Instead of “I want to analyze my productivity,” try “Do I get more work done on days when I exercise in the morning?” This question is specific and leads directly to a measurable answer.
• How to Do It: Pick a personal goal (like saving money, being healthier, or being more productive). Write down one or two questions you’d like to answer with data, remember to be specific. This trains your brain to think analytically and gives you a clear starting point.

2. Turn a Messy List into a Tidy Table

Data isn’t useful if it’s scattered everywhere. The first step to analysis is organization.

• Example Exercise: Use a simple Google Sheet or Excel, track your spending for one week. Don’t just write “Spent Rp100,000.” Instead, create a table with clear columns: Date, Amount, Category (e.g., Food, Transport, Shopping).
• How to Do It:
  • Create columns: Make sure each column has a descriptive header.
  • Keep it consistent: Don’t mix text and numbers in the same column. Put all dates in the same format (e.g., YYYY/MM/DD) and all amounts as numbers.
  • Don’t overcomplicate it. Just focus on structure. This simple act of organization is a core analytical skill.

3. Summarize the Story with Basic Math

You don’t need fancy formulas. Basic functions can reveal powerful patterns.

• Example Exercise: Take your organized spending data from the previous step and use a spreadsheet to find the following:
  • SUM: What was your total spending for the week?
  • AVERAGE: What was your average daily spending?
  • MAX: What was the single day with the highest spending?
• How to Do It:
  • In Excel or Google Sheets, use the formulas =SUM(), =AVERAGE(), and =MAX() on the relevant column.
  • Once you have the results, look for the story. “My total spending was higher than I thought,” or “My average spending was high on weekends because I ate out.” This is where the detective work begins.

4. Visualize Your Findings.

A picture is worth a thousand numbers. Visualizing data helps you and others understand the story instantly.

• Example Exercise: Take your organized and summarized data. Use a spreadsheet’s chart function to create a simple bar or line chart. For instance, a bar chart showing your spending per category (Food, Transport, etc.) or a line chart showing your spending over the week.
• How to Do It:
  • Select your data and look for the “Insert Chart” or “Charts” option in your spreadsheet.
  • For showing change over time, a line chart is perfect. For comparing categories, a bar chart works great.
  • Pay attention to the shape of the chart. Does the line go up or down? Which bar is the tallest? This tells you the main story at a glance.

5. Find a Simple, Public Dataset and Explore It.

You don’t have to rely only on your own data. Many organizations offer free, public datasets for you to practice with, or simply ask AI to make a mockup datasets.

• Example Exercise: Go to a website like data.world and find a simple, beginner-friendly dataset. A good one to start with might be data on movie ratings, video game sales, or even sports statistics.
• How to Do It:
  • Download the data as a CSV or Excel file.
  • Use the same habits you practiced above:
    • Ask a question: Be specific what problem and result you want to focus on.
    • Organize: Make sure the columns are clearly labeled.
    • Summarize: Find the total, average, and highest value.
    • Visualize: Create a bar chart comparing month to month, daily, or annual data.

It’s a Mindset, Not a Toolset

This journey is less about the tools you use and more about the mindset you build. The most effective data analysts aren’t necessarily the ones who know the most formulas; they’re the ones who are the most curious. They’re the ones who look at a chart and ask, “What else could be influencing this?” or “What’s the real story behind this spike?”

So, the next time you look at a problem, at work or at home, try to see the data underneath. Instead of guessing, ask a question. Instead of getting overwhelmed, find a simple way to track and summarize.

By developing these skills, you’re not just learning to use a spreadsheet, you’re learning to tell a more powerful story, make smarter decisions, and unlock insights that can change your life and your career.