A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
"I'm Just Staying Positive" - AnyOldMT
Posted: Dec 28, 2011
This morning a local morning talk DJ had an interesting segment. He was responding to a woman who had called in, complaining that he didn't have anything "positive" to say. His response was, "Oh, I am POSITIVELY certain that we are all getting screwed!" (Comments were in reference to Congress extending the debt ceiling.)
This reminded me of the asinine phrase, "I'm just going to be POSITIVE!" that I hear over and over, usually from women, most of whom are MTs. NEVER do I hear my J.D., M.D., M.B.A., or Ph.D. buds make such a remark.
Analytical thinkers DO NOT "focus on the positive." What they DO is take in EVERYTHING, the pros and the cons, of a situation and then weigh it all carefully. It's called being rational and logical. My approach is neither "positive" nor "negative" to the exclusion of the other side, but it is neutral. For decision-making, personally I utilize a method called the Franklin Close but realize that it's not for everyone.
To "just focus on the positive" is to IGNORE FACTUAL EVIDENCE. Nobody can make a sound decision on 1/2 of the picture. That would be like hiring someone, saying to oneself, "I'm just going to IGNORE the NEGATIVE of his FELONY RECORD and just FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE!" or entering a relationship with an alcoholic, telling yourself, "I'm just going to IGNORE the FACT that he gets riproaring drunk til he passes out every night and just FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE!"
Right now I'm on the brink of changing jobs, and, after sharing some red flags that I had learned about the company, had a fellow MT say to me, "Well I'm just going to be positive!" In other words, "I choose to wear blinders and live in lala land rather than face the reality of what we may be getting into here." Interestingly but not surprisingly, that same MT once told me that she's "too busy to think or analyze things"!! Even more surprising was the pride in her voice when she said it!
This seems to be some kind of ridiculous social meme that has taken hold, which may explain why the educated don't utilize it. Why it particularly afflicts women more than men would be interesting to explore.
So you guys keep on being "positive," and I will continue being rational and logical.
I hate positive people... - ooops, nuther 4 letter word
[ In Reply To ..]Suppose I should have said, "I dislike positive people."
Just give me everything, I am tough enough to take it. No rose colored glasses for this kid.
I'm not positive about our economy at all, not in the slightest - but I am still polite and well mannered to others
[ In Reply To ..]I certainly don't have a Pollyanna-ish attitude. I think our economy is in awful shape and will take years to recover, if it ever does. I still don't use rude and vulgar speech. I still am polite to people. That doesn't mean that I 'focus on the positive' to the point of being unrealistic. I'm very realistic. I can do that and still not use 4-letter words and/or sarcasm. It's better for my health. I like the person I am when I'm pleasant toward others. No apologies for that!
holy cow, 14 four letter words in that post - sarcasm
[ In Reply To ..]I could not resist.
Did it originate with Oprah? NM - DontWatchIt
[ In Reply To ..]NM
I think one can have a positive attitude.... Sm - Old Woman
[ In Reply To ..]and still analyze the situation in question without ignoring the negative factors involved. I find that a positive attitude, not pollyannaish as another poster pointed out, impacts my overall sense of good health and helps me find positive outcomes rather than getting mired down in the negativity, which can be very depressing and detrimental to finding any real source of inner peace.
I tend to look at the overall picture, sort the positives and negatives, formulate a course of action and pursue that course of action.
I do find your statement near the end of your post a little troubling. "This seems to be some kind of ridiculous social meme that has taken hold, which may explain why the educated don't utilize it."
Far be it from such an "uneducated" person as you apparently perceive me to be to tell you, an obvious educated person and analytical thinker, that perhaps a little more positivity might be a good thing for you to have in your life right now. I truly hope, and I mean this in the most sincere manner, that you are able to find the answers that you seek in a world you did not make.
Thinking positive - alice
[ In Reply To ..]My comments are only with regard to MT work. I'm not talking about politics or being in an abusive relationship with one person, etc.
Regarding the MT industry, I've decided to acknowledge the negatives and positives and then decide which I will tolerate and which I will not tolerate. Then, I think of the alternatives.
For instance, I might tolerate a not-so-great MT job at home versus traveling 20 miles per day in all kinds of weather to work face-to-face in a stressful customer service job.
But, if I were offered $20 per hour to continue working at home in some other industry, would I try it? You bet I would.
Also, I might tolerate a not-so-great MT home job versus being homeless and not having money to pay bills, buy food, etc. That doesn't mean I agree with everything they do or how they do it. I acknowledge the negatives, but try to put them aside and move forward. It seems that there's nothing I can do about all the mess in the MT industry.
I've been an RN and made lots more money, had more benefits, but hated the job more than I've ever hated any MT job. For one, the facilities where I was employed always staffed as few persons as possible. Therefore, the patient load per nurse was very high, and I never felt that I could do a good job. Also, I found office politics to be just awful, especially when I was working with a group of women.
Whenever I've stood up to a company and expressed my disbelief at all their antics, resigned, moved on, the only result was that I no longer worked there and someone else came along and accepted the stuff that the MTSO was dishing out.
So, if only some of us are realistic and act accordingly, nothing will change. There will always be others that will allow companies to stomp on them.
Personally, I've decided to just go with the flow, try to think as positive as I need to in order to be able to get the job done, and find my satisfaction in life in other places, not on the job.
I'm doing just fine, thanks! - AnyOldMT
[ In Reply To ..]Thanks, but I'm doing just fine -- better than most, since I am not delusional and face realities head on, no matter what they are.
My closing remarks were merely observations of the trends: the uneducated and females tend to espouse this mentality more than males and the educated. As I also stated, it would be interesting to examine this from a sociological perspective. If those observations "trouble" you, then I feel sorry for you.
It looks like I struck a nerve, given all the defensive posts on here. That's not a surprise since the people espousing this attitude are in the majority and most of the posters here are females.
AnyOld, you had me until your last paragraph ... - ILMT
[ In Reply To ..]... when you threw out the gratuitous slam at "the uneducated" and closed with an open-ended inference that women may be more prone to the "la-la-la, I can't hear you, I'm staying positive" thing. In a word: Hogwash.
Much of what you said before that has merit. But it all crashed on the shores of your sweeping generalization. "The uneducated", indeed. My dear, I am a dang-near-lifelong MT who didn't make it much past high school, and I'll wager my next month's line count that I'm at least as rational, logical and analytical as you appear to be. The realities and facts about this field (can't call it a profession any longer, can we?) haven't escaped me.
However, you seem locked into an either/or mindset; that is, one is either pessimistic about the future of MT because of the facts, or one is in la-la land (also presumably uneducated) if in the face of these she is still attempting to extract the positive.
A much more realistic, big-picture-thinking approach here is to see the MT landscape as both/and. Things are rarely black and white. The Franklin Close (as a sales technique, and if there's another decision-making model by the same name I'd be interested to know it) adds up the pros and cons and a conclusion for one side or the other is based solely on those sums.
In real life, some pros/cons carry more weight than others. That's where an individual MT's unique situation (age, financial and other commitments, health, goals, etc.) comes into play. One item on the "pro" side could, at a particular time in someone's life, tip the scale toward thinking positively about a field that's in trouble. It's not for any of us to tell another she's an uneducated ostrich for doing so. It's her big picture, not ours.
Even if Merry Sunshine is alive and well, and makes some of us shake our heads that she just doesn't get it, a little respect for her right to see the world through rosy lenses is in order -- and snide speculation about her educational level is not, at least not publicly.
I am acquainted with several folks possessing master's degrees and doctorates. Some of them don't have the sense to get in out of the rain, let alone the ability to analyze a situation and take a course of action. They procrastinate indefinitely, fearful of making a decision, but they call it "research". If that's not an ostrich-sized sand dune, it's pretty close.
LOL! Did you read your own post? - Unhypocrital
[ In Reply To ..]Two excerpts from your post:
"But it all crashed on the shores of your sweeping generalization."
"I am acquainted with several folks possessing master's degrees and doctorates. Some of them don't have the sense to get in out of the rain, let alone the ability to analyze a situation and take a course of action. They procrastinate indefinitely, fearful of making a decision, but they call it "research".
You are a hypocrite, as evidenced by your post.
Also, you went around the world and back. Did you have a point?
Google is your friend. - MT
[ In Reply To ..]"The Franklin Close (as a sales technique, and if there's another decision-making model by the same name I'd be interested to know it)"
The Franklin Close is used as a sales technique, but it also a tool used for general decision-making (Note the website name, "Problem-Solving-Techniques.com":)
It is also a great tool for individuals to use.
Known for his common sense, Ben Franklin originally developed the balance sheet for making yes and no decisions.
He made thousands of wise decisions and used this method to make many of those decisions.
Let's put it in perspective - or at least try
[ In Reply To ..]If a very expensive pair of Size 11 Men's shoes were on sale for $2, is that a good deal or a bad deal?
It would be a very bad deal for a woman who wears size 6 womens' shoes.
It would be a great deal for a man who wears Size 11 and is looking for a pair of shoes just like that.
In medical transcription, it's a similar situation. It's all relative. It may be a horrible fit for one person and the dream job for another.
It's all relative. That's for sure. - nm
[ In Reply To ..]nm
Positive thinking versus reality of a situation - anon
[ In Reply To ..]Positive thinking works very well if you are stuck in a situation you CANNOT change. Sometimes life does this. For instance, you get diagnosed with a terrible disease and there isn't much you can do about it. You can go to the doctor, take the medicines they give you, but ultimately it is pretty much out of your hands. Focusing on the positive when you are truly stuck with a negative can be a terrific way to cope. That being said, completely focusing on the positive when there IS something you can do about a situation can be crippling. Using the example below, if you are married to an alcoholic and can leave and want to leave, then being realistic and making a change is in order. However just seeing the bright side of this marriage and putting up with the negative aspects just keeps you in a bad situation that could be changed. If you can do anything to change a problem, do it. If you can't, then focus on the good things instead.
VERY well said! Bravo! NM - AnyOldMT
[ In Reply To ..]NM
Positive thinking - LeeLee
[ In Reply To ..]Love your post. Certainly puts things in perspective in a very simple, but comprehensive way.
Very Smart - nm
[ In Reply To ..]nm
Some people don't care about facts. SM - PassingThru
[ In Reply To ..]I have encountered some people who perceive and look at the world entirely through feelings/emotion. They are not interested in facts about anything, only how that thing makes them or others feel. You can try to reason with them all day long, but you're just wasting your time because it's the way that they're wired or have chosen to be. It is incredibly frustrating to try to deal with them, and I'm grateful that I'm not like that.
I do agree that, in general, women are more prone to the emotional personality type than men are. However, I have also known some men who were more emotional than any woman.
Men have complained that women should not be in important leadership roles because they can't make important decisions objectively. I think that women of childbearing age are most definitely affected by hormonal swings (PMS, "baby blues," etc.) but that postmenopausal women are more even-keeled.
positive - curiousgeorge
[ In Reply To ..]The entitlement attitude of "just give me all," is, unfortunately, very American. I do not really think it matters whether one is positive or negative, but it does matter if one has meaning in their lives. If one thinks they have it difficult in our world, maybe reading the classic, "Mans Search for Meaning," by Viktor Frankl. It is his account of how he and others survived Auschwitz. His underlying theme is that there is one thing humans really do have control over, and that is our attitude. It really is a great book!
I tend to focus on being grateful versus positive.
Just my 5 cents.
I tend to agree with you about focus - Thanks!
[ In Reply To ..]I think that's probably a good plan.
Similar Messages:
Urinalysis: Blood Positive, Protein Positive
Jun 02, 2010
Urinalysis: Blood positive, protein positive, 30-40 dublisees(???) 80-99 rbusees ...
Abnormal Nuclear Stress Test, Consider False Positive Study, Hyphen FALSE POSITIVE?
May 19, 2010
:) ...
STAYING FOCUSED DOING VR/SR
Oct 20, 2011
Have been an MT for 34 years..having trouble staying focused doing SR...any suggestions??? ...
Staying Awake
Oct 15, 2012
Sitting here with work but still falling asleep at the computer. How does one stay awake through all this crappy ASR and ESL who stutter and just totally horrible dictations? ...
Staying On Task?
Dec 12, 2013
Hello everyone. If anyone has any tips on how to stay on task it would be appreciated. I know this topic has been discussed before, but I wanted some different ideas. Thanks! ...
Staying Clocked In While OOW
Apr 09, 2015
Has anyone ever stayed clocked in while OOW, like for an entire day and subsequently for the entire week. Of course, they would have to pay minimum wage, but I'm just wondering for how long??? ...
Tips On Staying Focused Anyone?!
Oct 12, 2010
Normally, I'm very disciplined about work. I have a very stable job, very good pay, great accounts. I am just having trouble staying on task. Mind you, I do not have to just push and push. I just need to relax and complete a report, upload it, do the next one. I can breaks when I want to. There is NOTHING wrong with my situation except as soon as I start a report my mind goes to a zillion other things I would rather be doing. I can hardly get thro ...
Your Tips For Staying Attentive.
Dec 30, 2010
I am an independent contractor and do the transcription for a busy family practice office. I use Instant Text, macros and autocorrect, and I also use my timer to keep myself productive. But sometimes I struggle with productivity and focusing. I'd love to hear people's tips here on how they stay focused when your mind is pulled other places, and, also, your best tips for increasing your speed! I just know there is a wealth of information here. Even shaving a few ...
Having Trouble Staying Motivated.
Jan 17, 2011
Anybody else having trouble staying motivated? Don't get me wrong, I am happy to have a job; but I am just tired of the cut in benefits. Wouldn't it be nice to get a raise for once? Maybe it is time to go back to school and do something else. ...
Staying Awake On Third Shift
Aug 10, 2011
I was just wondering how many other people work third shift and have such trouble staying awake? I have been doing third shift for a while and it's HARD!!! I have a new baby and my husband watches him in the day, but I cannot seem to get more than 4 hours of sleep during the day and then I try to take a nap in the evening before work, but I am STILL having problems staying awake and I know being tired sets one up for disaster for mistakes. I am thinking of talking to my physicia ...
Help With Motivation/staying On Task
Aug 08, 2012
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with/power through horrendous audio quality reports? We have had these reports on my primary account for 2 months now and my company refuses to do anything about them. I turn the volume all the way up and still can barely hear the dictator over all the static. I struggle to figure out what they are saying, but I find myself "checking out" and losing focus and motivation to get through these reports after a while. How does everyone else do it? ...
DQS Down - Staying Logged In To Schedule Source
Jan 13, 2010
so I can document my down time and get paid. ...
Staying Focused/Motivated At Home
Nov 28, 2010
Hi, I was wondering for those of you who work at home, what type of methods do you you use to stay focused at home, ie. environment, lighting, and so forth? I like working at home but there are days when I'm easily distracted by the littlest thing and it slows down my line count or I need a break for my eyes to get away from looking at words on the computer screen. ...
Anyone Have Any Tips On Staying Alert/functional During 3rd Shift? Sm
Feb 27, 2014
I only have an hour window between my 2nd shift job and the 3rd shift job, and I try to sneak in a nap, but after a couple of hours I find myself yawning and losing focus. Coffee doesn't seem to help nor do any of the energy drinks. So far, 5 minutes of jumping jacks or something every hour has helped the most, but I still feel I am not at my best (and my production shows it). Any tips you might have would be greatly appreciated. TIA. ...
OB S/l Nitrazine Positive, ___ Positive Sm
Jun 28, 2011
Can't tell what's being said. First it sounded like folate positive, then foleen or poleen. Ack! Whatever it is, it showed up in office visit exam and again in hospital. ...
Staying In Health Care And Am Especially Interested In Home Healthcare
Jul 06, 2012
I am looking into what field of study to take up. I am thinking about staying in Health Care and am especially interested in home health care. I was wondering if anyone knows personally if there are demands for: Physical Therapist assistant - with Associated degree Occupational assistant- with Associates degree Has anyone heard of Speech/language pathologist assistant? I think this will require too much schooling but I have heard there is a big demand in health care and schools. I al ...
Pt Is Currently Staying At Oak Grove "L-tech"
Oct 17, 2011
? ...
Is There Anything Positive About Being An MME?
Oct 21, 2009
I was thinking about becoming an MME, but all I hear is negative talk. Is there anything good about being one? ...
Something Positive To Say
Mar 27, 2010
I get on this site every now and then and it is so disheartening to see so many people frustrated with their employers. I work for two different companies and I have to say I love them both. I work for OSi and I work for All Type. Both treat me fairly, respond rapidly to questions and are nice employers. I've always been paid on time, they both understand emergencies and I make a good income from each. There are good companies and there are nice people to work ...
TTD- Anything Positive On Them?
May 23, 2012
Hi, I am new to this board, but have been searching jobs here. I applied to TTD and received new-hire package. I have been looking here at all the negative comments about them before actually figuring out what I want to do with them. My question is, are there any positive comments about them at all? I may have an opportunity later this summer at a job locally and have a job currently, but not sure if I want to hop into this if they don't pay. I don't want ...
Anything Positive ?
May 29, 2012
Is there anyone out there who has anything positive to say about any transcription company ?? Keystrokes, Naunce, Transcend, Accentus, Softscript ? Are they ALL bad ? Thanks ...
Anything Positive?
Dec 31, 2012
I'm currently a student with a nearing graduation date. I'm getting quite discouraged lately because from what I have been researching and finding on forums is that basically there is not enough work out there to make ends meet. I've seen alot of negative posts from current MTs and it makes me nervous since I have yet to graduate. Is there anything positive out there for a student like me to look forward to?? ...
Something Positive
Jun 22, 2013
I just wanted to mention something positive about MT, my experience. There are a lot of negatives posted about the MT field on this board, and I'm not discounting anybody's experience, as, yes, there have been changes in this field, and some of those changes have hit people hard and are not fair. I just wanted to give encouragement to people who like MT that there are some positive things/companies still going on. I have 7 years of experience. I graduated from C ...
Some Positive Words, Please!
Dec 30, 2009
Man, I can see the changes in the transcription industry (admittedly negative changes) have really gotten us down and we're stuck in a mire of complaints, bad feelings and feeling tired and fed up! I feel the same way, and I feel that greed and the economy are to blame. But sometimes you just need to hear a positive word to make it through the day, or through the week. Here is mine - I am thankful that I do not have to spend money on work clothes and ga ...
Heme-positive
Feb 08, 2010
Is "heme-positive" actually slang for Hemoccult-positive or for hemoglobin-positive? Also, I found on an archived post that Hemoccult is capitalized because it is a trade name but wonder if the above are capitalized as well or should not be used because they are slang? ...
Hyphen Is ER/PR Positive?
Feb 08, 2010
Is it ER/PR-positive with the hyphen or ER/PR positive without the hyphen? I can't ever figure this out. ...
Transolutions - Anything Positive
Jul 01, 2010
Anyone have anything positive to say about Transolutions or more specifically their recent experience with the Apex platform? ...
I Am Not Really Positive I Completely Buy Into ~sm~ TIA
Mar 27, 2010
I am not really positive I completely buy into the fact that this illnesses is of such s/l reparation as his gamma globulin levels have been a little bit elevated and I wonder if there is more chronicity than we think. ...
Positive S/l Clubsiella
Sep 30, 2010
Any ideas? ...
Sure Could Use Some POSITIVE Energy
Nov 25, 2010
Not everyone is unhappy with MT work right now. Lots of times this board is filled with much negativity and I think it is a disservice to each other. Sometimes we need to vent, but sure would like to see people with more positive things that are happening in their life post on here, and not just read on here. I think it is unfair to dissuade newcomers to the profession. Give them an accurate vision of what it is like, both pros and cons. But, I think it's wron ...