Experience is indeed the best teacher in life and those who refuse to hold on to the knowledge or lessons life taught them end up getting punished severely for that.
My mom use to say that it is impossible to be wise when life hasn't taught you some lessons.
Some lessons can't be learned in life until you experience them, the outcome of most of these experiences isn't pleasant and that would make those lessons an unforgettable one for us.
I am someone who pays attention to everything that happens in my life everyday so as not to miss out on the important lessons that I might eventually need in the future.
Image was designed by me using Canva app
Documenting is one thing I never learned to do or should I say that I am always lazy about it. Most time, I don't see the need to even do it just because I trust the person or probably because of the relationship between us.
I barely document things that have to do with money transactions or an agreement I made with someone and some people who know about that silly habit took advantage of it. I wasn't bothered because they cheated me with cheap things, they are things not worth fighting for so I do overlook them.
There are times I have to look for a witness just because someone I had an agreement with is trying to deny what we agreed on, a witness wouldn't have been necessary if I kept good records by documenting my dealings with people.
I went on with the habit until I worked as a teacher and personal assistant for a school proprietor. He is a lecturer so I do help him get some things done aside from my teaching job whenever he is away. This man spends a lot even when he is not around and I am always in charge of his account.
There are many times I failed to record the money he took from the school account and whenever I am trying to balance the account, it doesn't end well.
He always deducts the debt from my salary and it made me sad. Things went on like that for months until I did what was right and for the first time my account was balanced, he refunded the money he deducted from me previously.
I was stunned when he brought out his record of how he took money, he knew that I didn't mismanage his money but he wanted me to learn the hard way.
My time with him taught me the importance of proper documentation and it really helped me many years after.
At first, I slacked at my previous job. My immediate boss was a big spender as well, he takes money from the daily sales and due to the relationship between us, I usually failed to make proper documentation and I got punished.
Something happened and the experience called me back to my senses. He gave me some cash to deposit in the bank, I rushed to the bank without counting the money and on getting there, I discovered the money wasn't complete. It was a small change that I could just put but I felt it was right to inform my boss about it.
I called my boss to inform him and he said it was not possible because he counted and confirm the money. We argued back and forth but it didn't change anything. I had to bear the consequences which I already did and I was hurt he didn't believe me.
It didn't take long before his assistant tried to pull the same stunt on me. I guess my boss discussed the issue with her and she tried shooting her shot but the experience I had with our boss didn't let her succeed. This happened on a Friday and it was the last day of the month. There used to be pressure on the last day of the month because all cash made from sales much be remitted before the first day of the new month.
She handed the cash to me late and started pressuring me to leave immediately before the bank closes. It was about half a million naira and it would take time to count but I didn't hesitate to do it.
I didn't allow the pressure to get to me, I made sure I counted it and about 8,000 naira was missing. She told me it is complete so I got someone to join me in counting and we arrived at the same figure.
She didn't admit that the money wasn't complete at first and what was saved me was that I didn't leave her premises before counting the money.
She started playing the I don't know game until she opened her bag and said, "oh I didn't know there was still some cash left in my bag".
I pretended to agree to her claims and I never allowed any form of improper documentation again. I learned my lesson the hard way and I would have gotten into bigger trouble if I continued that way.