How often (if ever) do you practice?

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You know, everyone is entitled to their opinion. HBGRRL, you really impress the hell out of me. You have a great attitude and are very inspirational. Contrary to the never-practice-again advice that is written here, I say get up 20 minute earlier and practice for 20 minutes every day, working on something that needs to be cured. Always, always strive to get better.

Answered by jeanese {2363}
7/11/2010 12:43:34 PM

[0 Votes]

No more practice! You're a professional now. You've earned the right to live your life for Pete's sake! I barely practiced when I was in school (with the exception of the OJ case) I would NEVER, EVER, NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER practice again from the first day I worked. Practice is OVER!!!

This is said and meant in the nicest way.... just please don't practice. Just work. And live.

I love your response. I was wondering if I was the only one not practicing because I was told that even professionals have to practice. I think I read it somewhere in the JCR! - binita 7/11/2010 7:26:43 PM | Flag

Well, if you're striving for a new goal or to take one of the merit exams, yeah, you'll want to get the tapes/CDs, what have you, and practice those so that you're prepared. You should never stop learning and being open to learning new ways of doing things, learning new technology that comes into the field, etc. But to get out your school drill books and practice after a hard's day's work, I don't advocate. You've got to take custody of exhibits, get that transcript out, tend to your other life activities and get ready for the next day... so practicing seems superflous. I do commend you for continuing your studying a year after you graduated, but in my opinion, my drill book is real-life... when I get to the depo and greet the attys or anyone in the room, I'm listening to how they speak... Will they be fast? Do they have an accent? What will we be talking about today? Are they going to want a rough draft? Can I get a caption? I need their cards and representations. This is my daily drill. Who's my witness? Are we going 'til 6? Will this be expedited? How can I shorten down or insta-brief that long company name? Which scopist can handle this so I can go home and make dinner for my family? Certainly, plenty of *practice* in a day's work. That's just my opinion. - jeanese 7/11/2010 6:32:44 PM | Flag

Perfect response...I agree!! - jonesreporting 7/17/2010 10:04:09 PM | Flag

I don't practice, and I never did. I do work a lot, and so that is practice. Build your dictionary as much as you can, because it is only time consuming in the beginning. You will save soooooo much time later you will love it.I did practice the day before the RPR with a 260 tape only, and that is all I did all day long. It worked, and I did get my RPR. 225 wpm was a walk in the park compared to 260. Now I've worked 29 years, and my dictionary is jam packed. I have heard so many different things just from taking jobs that I have shortcuts for a ton of stuff. So the more you work and add to your dictionary the more money you'll make in less time. If you feel like you need to practice, then you should. It will just give you confidence when you are really at work. Good luck, Carol - debeemartin 7/18/2010 9:45:39 PM | Flag

Answered by KRORT {45}
7/12/2010 10:45:02 PM

[0 Votes]

I've been working for 2 years, and I only practice if I go on vacation for a week or more. I will practice for 10-15 minutes at 225 Q&A just so that I'm comfortable with it after having been off the machine for a while, but other than that, no way!!!!

I've been a reporter since '91 and as dorky as it sounds, I practice every every day, even if it's just to work on finger drills. I work as an official in a heavy courtroom (and I also have a family with three kids and take depos on the side), but while waiting for cases, etc., I have drills or printed skillbuilding material. I always separate out the practice with a blurb in my realtime file. I have had my merit for a long time, but in my mind, by practicing frequently, my writing gets super-clean and my workload is lessened because editing is extremely easy. When I meet one goal, I always set another one; my current one is to get to 300 wpm. I think it's attainable, because it's only 40 wpm beyond 260... I remember when 80 wpm seemed fast when I was at 40 wpm. I also recently signed up for Realtime Coach, because I'd worked my way through all of NCRA's practice CD's. I cannot believe how much benefitI get out of it. Again, dorky, but I can't wait to get on it when I can and see if I can break that 290-300 barrier. I think a good rule of thumb is to practice when/if you can, don't obsess if you can't get to it everyday, but remember that your clients and you will only benefit from your efforts. Besides, I can't think of a single case where too much practice harmed or killed anyone. :) - hbgrrrl 7/16/2010 8:36:04 PM | Flag

I love your response, hbgrrrl! And I admire your desire to always be bettering yourself. 300 wpm???? Wow! Good luck!! - Todd Olivas 7/17/2010 10:38:44 AM | Flag

Answered by stenoray {13}
http://www.stenoray.com
7/19/2010 6:55:30 PM

[0 Votes]

I practice at least ten minutes every day. Including weekends and Sundays. (Yes, I live a life, "for Pete's sake." Living a life and practicing are not mutually exclusive.)

The more I practice, the more accurate and faster I get. And the cleaner my notes, the quicker I get the transcript completed, AND/OR the cleaner the realtime is to the student I CART for!

Why WOULDN'T we practice our art and strive for excellence? (And conversely, WHY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH would we EVER say, "I'm good enough; I don't have to practice ever again. All hail the status quo"?)

I wish attorneys, doctors, witnesses, professors, all spoke 225, but that's not the case. It seems to me everyone speaks faster nowadays than they did 12 years ago when I started.

(One of my mentors told me, as I had just passed the CSR, "You're as fast as you'll ever be." Well, now that I'm an RMR and have a few state speed contest qualifications under my belt and am preparing for my second National speed contest, I'm so glad I didn't take that to heart.)

(Just to clarify, I know this comes off as harsh, but I in NO WAY direct the harshness to the original poster.)Amateurs practice so they get it right. Professionals practice so they CAN'T get it WRONG. - stenoray 7/19/2010 8:07:54 PM | Flag