Learning A Derivative of Age?

SCENE - 1
When D was still in Elementary – he had this bad habit of telling us he needed something for school the next day when it was already almost late to get them. I hated that habit so much but I also found out that it was not only him but other kids do that as well.

I believe the reason they do that was they were more preoccupied with playing earlier in the day. We solved that problem by having an inventory of common school supplies at home. We also instilled in him that he cannot get away with it always and he will suffer if we don’t have the item. Now in his university days, he rarely does those things.

I guess he has learned.

SCENE – 2
I order most of the supplies for work. From the regular paper to mouse pads and USBs. One thing I really hate is when people come to me first hour in the morning informing me they do not have anymore of their special envelopes, labels, etc. Although I am in charge of checking the regular items, my responsibility does not include the inventory of special items used only by few staff. I have e-mailed them, advised them, informed their managers -- and it works for a while. After a few weeks, they are back to their old habits.

Is it really hard to teach old dogs new tricks?