Y'all, I'm usually a big cheerleader and very positive but I gotta share something: You've got to put the work in. It's not enough to be able to talk fast. You MUST learn how to use Dragon and your CAT if you're using one (and Word or WP if you're using them).
It's not easy. It's not going to be fast. It probably isn't going to be that cheap either if you decide to take training classes. But in the end, if the goal is efficiency and realtime accuracy, understanding the synchronicity of these programs is paramount. Court reporting is NOT something for the faint of hear and it's not an easy side hustle, it's work - and it's important work. Our clients' lives and livelihoods depend on our ability to be accurate. We owe it to them to take all the steps necessary to become the best reporters we can be and that means using the programs and tools at our fingertips to ensure our work product is stellar.
Tough love is still love - love for the profession and love for the people who sacrifice so much to do this job.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! And another Monday. I'm still dragging with the time change so I'm starting later in the day than normal. But I'm excited to start a new week with so many projects, a trip to convention, some consulting gigs, some volunteering. I think that's what I love so much about what we do, y'all. Every day, every week, every month can be an adventure! Ain't it grand? (Now I just need to find time for a nap)
#stenographer #courtreporter #courtreporterlife #voicewriter #entrepreneurlife #smallbusiness #mishmash
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?!
Tech is always a challenge for me, and this audio conversion was just another example. I did it by asking questions, searching the web, and then falling back on the tried and true.
I've started another 90-day testing challenge, and it will lead right up to the start of this year's annual convention in August (Little Rock!)
For 90 days, I will take a mock test and grade it, with the hopes of being prepared for a 200 testimony at 96 percent accuracy in realtime.
I've updated my software to use Speechmatics, which is significantly different from my Dragon so I'm relearning/unlearning my original dictation style and trying to modify so as to more efficiently use the new engine.
RVR-M is the goal. 200 words per minute testimony, 96% or better.
Join me! #practicemakespermanent #stenographer #courtreporter #voicewriter #certifications
