Business

If You Don't Write It Down, You Can't Control It

TaxHQ Editorial10 January 20265 min read

The Dangerous Confidence

"I know my prices. I know what I sell. I know when money enters."

Many business owners say this. And they believe it.

But let me ask you:

  • How much did you make last week?
  • How much went out?
  • What remained as profit?

If you need to calculate it in your head right now—that's the problem.

Knowing is not the same as recording.

The Visibility Problem

Most business failures aren't really money problems or staff problems. They're visibility problems.

When you don't have records:

  • You can't see leaks until money is gone
  • You can't spot mistakes until they're costly
  • You can't track growth because you have no baseline
  • You notice losses only when it's too late

Without records, you're flying blind.

What Records Reveal

Businesses that keep proper records see things others miss:

The Leaks

  • That supplier who's been overcharging you
  • The small theft happening weekly
  • The product that costs more to make than you charge

The Mistakes

  • Pricing errors caught before they compound
  • Stock discrepancies that indicate problems

The Growth

  • Which products actually make money
  • Which customers are most profitable

The Losses

  • Dead stock before it becomes worthless
  • Bad debt before it becomes uncollectable

The Daily Discipline

Recording doesn't have to be complicated. Every day:

1. Write down total sales (every transaction)

2. Write down total expenses (every naira out)

3. Check what remains before you close

This takes 10 minutes. The insight it provides is worth millions.

The Shock of Clarity

Business owners who start keeping daily records always say:

> "I had no idea where my money was going."

Small expenses that seemed insignificant add up to ₦50,000 or ₦100,000 monthly.

Clarity is uncomfortable. But it's the only path to improvement.

Start Today

From this moment:

1. Write down every sale

2. Write down every expense

3. Check what remains before you close

Do this for one week. The results will shock you.

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*Ready to get visibility? Our Transaction Tracker makes daily recording simple.*

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If You Don't Write It Down, You Can't Control It | TaxHQ Blog | TaxHQ