Trust me, at 11p on a Sunday evening, you do NOT want to run out of toner while printing your transcripts. (yes, these days we MOSTLY send out PDFs, but many places still print paper transcripts)
Managing your supply closet can help ease a little bit of unease and stress. We have a lot of "little" things that we use in our daily working lives, and it's important to have them all on hand when needed.
Do you have an inventory sheet (some jurisdictions have a tax for business supplies - not kidding, my former county did and I had to submit an inventory-on-hand listing every year!) or a visual cue for when you need to purchase replacements?
Things like:
Paper
Toner
Batteries
Envelopes for Regular Mail
Envelopes for Transcripts
Transcript binders
Shipping packaging
Packing tape
stamps...
Whatever things YOU need to run your office smoothly, it is a calming thing to have control of the supply inventory.
You all know I love giving back... and I've been speaking at the local law school for many years now, sharing with the students who will be future litigators how they can work WITH court reporters to create a truly excellent record.
I love doing this - and if you have the chance, please consider doing it in your area. The "baby" lawyers appreciated it and the next generation of court reporters will too!
We all love rituals - girls nights, massages, regular workouts... but what about our working rituals?
Do you have any that ease you into your productivity? Perhaps alleviate any anxiety?
Our job as a stenographer (or captioners) is filled with stressors and if we can develop rituals for ourselves to help limit those stresses, think how healthy, happy, and productive we can become?!
I love this profession... and I love sharing it. Wherever you are, in whatever period in your career you find yourself, be an amazing advocate! Introduce people to this incredible opportunity for someone who loves English, the law, computers, learning... Be the little pebble that creates the ripple in the pond!
