How to get faster

Write ALL the time -- in your head or on your machine.  When you hear the radio or TV -- write it.  When you come to an outline that you have trouble with, work on it -- even just in your head.  Think of the best way to write it and then practice it.  I practice license plate numbers when I'm a passenger in the car.  (I try not to do this while I'm driving :) .  You don't need your machine.  Of course, WITH machine is best, but it's impossible to have it set up all the time.  You can almost write constantly if you do it in your head.  Also, when you do practice on your machine, fluctuate between writing fast with a push and writing slowly with accuracy.  When you write slowly, look for outlines that you hesitate on and then work and work and work on the outline until it comes faster and faster.  You'll be amazed that that word will come up on a test and you'll have it.  No problem.  I'm assuming you must be a student, although all of us look for ways to increase speeds all the time.  You can never have enough speed :)  I'm a reporter now and too busy to set up my machine to practice, but I still practice in my head almost all of the time.  And best of luck to you.  It's a great career !

Practice at speeds that are 25% or more faster than the speed you are trying to master. Do this every day, even on weekends, and also try to do it multiple times during the day. Think of it like a breakfast, lunch, dinner type of spread. (Not near as yummy, I know) The sessions can be as short as five minutes. This places a demand on your body and fingers that it will respond to, by necessity. This is much like elite athletes and the training they do to prepare for competition. Training at higher levels prepares you for more difficult situations and challenges. Training to be a stenographer is no different in this respect. It is hard work but the payoff is great. I would recommend that you always finish your practice sessions with a getable take so that you end on a positive note, even if it is only a 60-second take. Confidence plays a large part in this profession, and you need this positive reinforcement.