I am guilty, along with many others, for not reading every line of an agreement let alone every word. So when I was given an assignment to write out a draft contract, I was lost. I had to not only figure out what the message I needed to get across was, but also how to best deliver it closing all of the loopholes.
After hours of reading different contracts and getting some inspiration, I wrote out a draft contract. I reread the contract from beginning to end. After it was edited and finalized, I reread it again. For the first time in my life I not only wrote a contract, but read a contract word for word and in great detail. It made me realize that I really truly should read contracts in greater detail before haphazardly accepting or signing it. Fortunately I have never been faced with a situation where a contract issue came up, but in the case I did, I would not have been capable of defending myself. How can I if I don’t know the exact terms of the contract?
So I not only learned the jargon and organization of writing a contract, but I also learned that I should read contracts for my own personal benefit. I would like to tell everyone else to do the same, but through experience I know that simply telling people will not inspire them to do so. One day I hope people will be able to learn this lesson too – the easy way!