Last Friday, just ONE SHORT WEEK AGO, I was living a four-day page-free weekend that would see me coming back to reality on Tuesday morning.
Here I am on Friday, and I'm absolutely wrecked. It was a week, for sure.
Monday - birthday, OFF - #1 client had a 250-page day that they needed a rough (videoed)
Tuesday - I worked on the rough all day, client had a 200-page day that needs a rush delivery for Monday (videoed)
Wednesday - I had a hearing in court in VA, her job was a no-show, and I scoped half of her rush
Thursday - We had to go back to Wake County and finish Mom's move, took all day - oh, our HVAC unit had a huge water leak (long story) - and I cam back and finished the other half of her rush. Her jobs, thankfully, no-showed again
Friday - I got 4 hours of sleep and I'm now working on the audio transcription from the State and back to scoping her 250 pages. She's writing today but who knows what will happen?
Folks... some days, you just have to suck it up and do what it takes to get it done. Service industry means you provide a service. And you massage your schedule to make it so. It's not always easy, but if you want to succeed in this profession, sometimes you have to dig deep.
I'll have a nap at some point today, I hope.
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!
