KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!

Yesterday I missed my 200 4V at 10 minutes test by only 21 points!!! So far, this is the closest I've come to passing this test. I was on a high when I made a beeline from the classroom to the lab in order to type up the possible pass. However, that elation slowly deflated as I was marking my errors on my typed-up transcript against the audio tape. Sigh.

I was feeling sad and frustrated (so close but not close enough!), but thankfully, my biggest supporter, my husband, lifted me up. He congratulated me to being so close to a pass. He said that I'm "just knocking at the door" and that it's "only a matter of time." With his help, I was able to lift my head up, smile, and tell myself, "Wow! You did so great! You are inches away from passing this test! It truly is ONLY a matter of time now, thank GOD!"

I just have to keep practicing diligently, keep believing, and every day transcribe all my tests... even the ones I know are not even close to a pass. Why?! Because there are so many valuable learning moments when you transcribe and grade your tests... but only if you do it CONSTRUCTIVELY. I urge you, fellow students, don't just "go through the motions." Look for those small victories in each typed-up test and celebrate those!  It will motivate you and give you the valuable info you need on how to improve your steno test-taking skills!

Here's a handful of what I look out for when I transcribe my tests:

• I take note of how many errors I get on each page. If the error margin on each page is getting smaller as the days go by, I remind myself that that's a great accomplishment!
• I take note if I have certain finger errors or if I'm forgetting a brief. If I am, then I make sure to practice those certain finger drill(s) and/or brief(s) that I'm messing up on and work to make them solid.
• I take note of when I'm making my most errors. Are they in the beginning, middle, or last part of the 10-minute test? I figure that out, then at the next test, I make an extra effort to concentrate especially hard at the portion where I got the most errors.
• I take note of what kind of errors I'm making. Are they clean drops? If they are, then I know it's just a matter of time to train my fingers to become fast enough, so I don't drop as much. Are they jumbled up strokes? If they are, then I know that I'm letting my nerves get the better of me, and I need to work on concentrating on the speakers only, not my internal voice that's screaming, "Oh, no! You missed that word! Go back and correct it!" ...or some other silly demand like that! :P Um, can't do that... I'm taking a test and trying to pass it! :)

So I urge you, fellow steno students, to transcribe ALL your tests and ANALYZE those tests! Then start working EVERY DAY in correcting those pesky mistakes that keep coming up. How do you know what kind of mistakes you keep making unless you actually look for them in your test, understand them, and record them diligently? Only once you do that will you know how to improve in your weak spots, right? Doing this will keep you motivated, and you'll inch closer and closer to that PASS!

I've been on YouTube lately watching videos about how to become successful. One of my favorite channels is by Dr. Henry Cloud, who is a clinical psychologist. Here are 2 great videos from him that you got to check out!

http://www.youtube.com/user/DrHenryCloud#p/u/8/Z7IZ30vvbgI
This is called "Ridge of Resistance." In it, Dr. Cloud teaches us how to get over the inevitable hump or wall of frustration that we all face when we're trying to reach our goal.

http://youtu.be/Fnr44OzI_pE
This is called "It's All Small." In it, Dr. Cloud teaches us how to focus on the every day little steps we are making to get from Point A to Point Z, from where we are to where we want to be -- at the finish line of our goal! For me, that would be graduation and a CSR and RPR certificate!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILtDs0MmRHE
Lastly, check out this YouTube video. This is for all of us who need to be reminded to get our head up and continue to be positive! The song is by Andy Grammer, and the song is called "Keep Your Head Up."




P.S. If you have people in your life who have no idea how difficult your tests are to pass, why not send them this YouTube video of a court reporting test -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7k9GLnZUwQ?  This happens to be the test I'm trying to pass (except right now it's done by 1 teacher, not a live 4 panel) -- 200 WPM, 4-voice, 10 minutes.  Let's see if they can even repeat what's being said in their brain at 97.5% accuracy!  I don't think so!

Don't let ANYONE GET YOU DOWN!!!  What we do -- machine stenography -- is TRULY AMAZING!!!  Only a small, small, small percentage of the population have the skills we have, and that makes us UNIQUE, VALUABLE, and EXTRAORDINARY! :)

A WINNER'S BLUEPRINT FOR ACHIEVEMENT

BELIEVE while others are doubting.

PLAN while others are playing.

STUDY while others are sleeping.

DECIDE while others are delaying.

PREPARE while others are daydreaming.

BEGIN while others are procrastinating.

WORK while others are wishing.

SAVE while others are wasting.

LISTEN while others are talking.

SMILE while others are frowning.

COMMEND while others are criticizing.

PERSIST while others are quitting.

A WINNER'S BLUEPRINT FOR ACHIEVEMENT

By: William Arthur Ward

To see the YouTube version complete with piano music in the background, click HERE.

BELIEVE YOU CAN!

This blog post is for all my fellow court reporting students who feel discouraged about the CR program.  We've all been through the ups and downs of CR training (hopefully more ups than downs).  Usually we become gloomy because we're stuck at a speed for longer than usual...or our student loans start to pile up unbearably...or we have too many academic classes plus speed-building classes to juggle around ON TOP of our already full lives.  

Well, I am here to encourage you to NOT be discouraged!!!  If you REALLY want to become a working court reporter, you simply CANNOT give into your feelings of discouragement.  Do NOT allow yourself to be a participant to pity parties nor "woe is me" venting sessions.  Refuse to show up to the blahs...and rewire yourself to BELIEVE again.

Because if you TRULY want to achieve your dreams badly enough...you simply MUST believe you will get it...and work hard and smart to make your dreams your realities!  Believing and working hard and smart is the ladder that takes you from your dreams (Point A) to your achieved realities (Point B).  

You CAN do it!!!  BELIEVE you can!!!

ONE STEP AT A TIME

I needed some inspiration and motivation today. Found some! :) Click on this video: ONE STEP AT A TIME By: Jordin Sparks

I gotta remind myself... it'll all happen at its right time... there's a season for everything... take it one step at a time... enjoy the journey... breathe... smile... be content with the present... hopeful for the future... blessed with the past... thankful and prayerful in all things... --- P.S. Thank you to Terry who always finds ways of encouraging me right back! You're the sweetest! ;) Here's the quote she shared with me that I'd like to now share with you: "People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves, they have the first secret of success." - Norman Vincent Peale --- And now, here are the lyrics to this very awesome song:

"One Step At A Time" Hurry up and wait So close, but so far away Everything that you've always dreamed of Close enough for you to taste But you just can't touch You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it You know you can if you get the chance In your face as the door keeps slamming Now you're feeling more and more frustrated And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting [Chorus:] We live and we learn to take One step at a time There's no need to rush It's like learning to fly Or falling in love It's gonna happen and it's Supposed to happen and we Find the reasons why One step at a time You believe and you doubt You're confused, you got it all figured out Everything that you always wished for Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours If they only knew You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it You know you can if you get the chance In your face as the door keeps slamming Now you're feeling more and more frustrated And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting [Chorus] When you can't wait any longer But there's no end in sight When you need to find the strength It's your faith that makes you stronger The only way you get there Is one step at a time [Chorus x2]

REAL MOTIVATION COMES FROM WITHIN

REAL MOTIVATION COMES FROM WITHIN

Chapter 11 of Life's Greatest Lessons: 20 Things That Matter By: Hal Urban

No matter who you are or what your age may be, if you want to achieve permanent, sustaining success, the motivation that will drive you toward that goal must come from within. - Paul J. Meyer

THE THREE KEYS TO MOTIVATING YOURSELF

Think for a moment about an important goal you have -- something you're certain you want to achieve in life. Now check your motivation by answering these three questions: - Do you have enough desire to attain it? - Do you have a real belief that you can accomplish it? - Do you have a clear mental picture of yourself achieving it? If your answer to all three is a confident YES, then you're ready. Because these are they keys to being self-motivated.

1. DESIRE

Motivation starts with a sense of desire...

When you want something, you become motivated to get it. - Denis Waitley

Desire is the seed from which all achievement grows. More than any other characteristic, it determines whether we're going to be mediocre or successful in life. Desire, not ability, separates average people from those who excel. It's that something extra which makes it possible for ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. I love the old phrase "burning desire" because it's so descriptive. People who have it are almost impossible to stop. The stronger the flame burns, the greater the determination, and the more likely the success. An important aspect of desire is commitment -- a promise that we make to no one but ourselves. This is what keeps us going when things are the toughest. Instead of giving up in the face of adversity or defeat, we bounce back. Famous psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers thinks commitment is the pivotal quality of success. She says, "Total commitment is the common denominator among successful men and women. Its importance cannot be overestimated." This kind of desire has a way of strengthening us. It helps us make sacrifices when they're needed, and it helps us dig down for extra effort in seeing our goals through to completion.

2. BELIEF

Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself. - Robert Collier

The only limitations we have are the ones put on us, first by others and then by ourselves. They exist because we believe them, and they won't disappear until we exchange them for a new set of beliefs. In the introduction of this book, I wrote that most people don't know how good they are and how much they can accomplish with their lives. We need to realize that we're more capable than we give ourselves credit for. We have inner resources we've never used. But remember, that's good news. The first step to tapping into all that potential is to increase our belief in ourselves at least enough to try, even to risk failure. Eventually, this effort pays off. It leads to small achievements and builds self-confidence. This, in turn, brings more success. As habits of constructive thinking take over, a new cycle is set in motion. We believe in ourselves, and we start looking for reasons why we can. Good things happen because when we believe, we make them happen.

3. MENTAL PICTURE

You must first clearly see a thing in your mind before you can do it. - Alex Morrison

Dr. Charles Garfield, a psychologist at the University of California, has specialized for years in studying the habits of high achievers in science, business, industry, and athletics. He wrote about many of them in his book "Peak Performers." He says there's something all of them do: they "...report a highly developed ability to imprint images of successful actions in the mind. They practice, mentally, specific skills and behaviors leading to those outcomes and achievements which they ultimately attain." Garfield also reports on something which they believe: "All maintain that the potential for major increases in achievement and self-development exists in everyone; and that the starting point is an internal decision to excel."

If you have a burning desire, a solid belief, and a clear picture, you have all the motivation you'll ever need.

Motivation is an inner drive. - Denis Waitley

--- Can you tell that I love this book? I refer to it from time-to-time when I need a pick-me-up in getting my priorities straightened. I pasted a little excerpt from Chapter 12 -- "Goals Are Dreams With Deadlines" -- in this blog. To read that, click here.

GO FOR IT!

From time to time, we court reporter students need a little boost. It's difficult going through the court reporting program because you have to fail SO MANY TESTS before you can reach a 98% or higher accuracy to pass through speed levels. For my fellow court reporter students, this post is especially for you! Enjoy these inspiring words of determination by Jo Ryan, which she penned in her little hardcover book Go For It! Whenever I need to remind myself that I CAN get to 225 WPM, I always reach for this mini book filled with amazing photography of animals and these awesome, inspiring quotes!

Hope you like this! And remember: STAY MOTIVATED! ;)

People can because they think they can.

Waste your money and you've only wasted money... Waste your time and you've lost part of your life. All that stands between the graduate and the top of the ladder is the ladder. *This is my FAVORITE quote from this book! :) Many people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could. Don't ask for a light load: ask instead for a strong back. If you look for rest, you'll find boredom... If you look for work, you'll find rest. The only real mistake is not learning from your mistakes. It's not because things are difficult that we don't dare... It's because we don't dare that things are difficult. Obstacles: those things you see when you take your eyes off your goals. If you're not sure where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere else. The way to do more is not to think of things as impossible. A big shot is a little shot who kept shooting. *I remember when I first started to learn my theory in court reporting school. I thought I could NEVER write 80 WPM on this crazy steno machine! But you just keep trying, trying, trying... and before you know it, you can write 225 WPM! Happiness is dreaming dreams, and working to make them come true. When opportunity meets preparation, success is the result. Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more wisely. "I can't" never accomplished anything... "I will try" has worked wonders. The greater the difficulty, the more glory in overcoming it. Achieving is easiest when we work the hardest, and hardest when we work the easiest. Success is open to everyone who chooses his goal and goes for it. People become great by doing what they don't want to do when they don't want to do it. *This is also known as DISCIPLINE!!! :)

THE BENEFITS OF SETTING GOALS

I firmly believe in setting goals and creating a To Do List. I can't live without some organization in my life. I need to know on paper what I'm setting out to do... so I can make the conscious effort to attain those goals... and then feel so proud of myself when I get to cross each one as DONE!!! Don't you love that feeling yourself?! Yesterday was the start of our Summer Session at my school, Tri-Community Adult Education Center. It's a six-week session. They say goals are dreams with deadlines. Well, my goal's deadline is the end of this six-week Summer Session. By that time, I want to have passed all three of my 160 WPM tests, so I can officially be in the 180 WPM speed group!!! With lots of practice, practice, practice... and GOD's help, I know I can do this!!! I love referring to this piece Hal Urban wrote from his book Life's Greatest Lessons: 20 Things That Matter. This section is taken out of Chapter 12 of that book, "Goals Are Dreams With Deadlines." Enjoy! And remember to set goals (with deadlines!) and have fun attaining them! :)

Cover via Amazon

"The Benefits of Setting Goals" By: Hal Urban Having goals can enrich our lives in a number of ways: MOTIVATION -- Goals are the starting blocks of motivation. They give us a reason to get off our duffs and get going. INDEPENDENCE -- Goals help us take charge of our own lives. Instead of following the crowd or wandering through life, we choose our own path, the one that leads to fulfillment of our ambitions. DIRECTION -- Goals give us a destination. We're far more likely to get someplace when we know where we're going. MEANING -- Goals give us a sense of purpose. Life has more meaning when we're clear on what we want. Instead of merely existing from one day to the next, our goals give us reasons to start really living. ENJOYMENT -- Goals are the antidote to the most dreaded of all social diseases: boredom. How can you be bored when you've got exciting things to do? Goals make our lives more fun, more interesting, and more challenging. FULFILLMENT -- Goals, more than anything else, help us reach our potential. Setting goals helps us see what's possible. Each successful step toward attaining them builds confidence. Each goal completed helps us see more of what's possible and leads to new goals and more success.