First off, apologies - I said Friday, Sep 10 - I recorded on Friday, Sep 9, and am posting on Saturday, Sep 10. It's hard coming back from vacation!
I really appreciated hearing from one of my mentees who asked about how we define "fail" in the schooling part of the profession. As in life, the only time we REALLY fail is if we don't get back up and try again - but are we learning from our "failure" (or what I call a "nonpass" for our folks in schools)??!!
As you progress in your training, don't measure by the test on a binary modality; instead, evaluate what you did BETTER than last time you tested. Whatever you metric you use, remember that if you achieved something a little better than before or if you learned something from the experience, you didn't "fail" per se; you, like Edison, just learned another way NOT to do something.
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!
