If You Don't Write It Down, You Can't Control It
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.*
TaxHQ Editorial
Expert tax content based on Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and insights from leading Nigerian tax professionals.