A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Please tell me how to stay focused!!! sm - Momma MT

Posted: Dec 04, 2009

I have done this type of work for a long time. The last couple of years I have a terrible time staying focused on my work and not emailing, texting, surfing the web, etc. I need the money really badly! What is wrong with me? I am not destitute yet - I keep asking myself if that is what has to happen before I can get serious and do my job. I should be able to do 2000 lines a day but instead I am doing 950 to 1000. I am literally sick over it and worry about it through the night but every day I end up slacking. I am starting to wonder if there is literally something wrong with me or if I am just going to have to switch jobs. I just don't seem to be able to do it anymore. Please constructive criticism only! Believe me I am beating myself up enough.

I am the same way... - blondie_1147

[ In Reply To ..]
I have only done this for 2-1/2 years, but I too have a hard time staying on track. I tend to take breaks and surf the web, etc. I also need money badly. I don't know what it is, but I will find myself not being able to focus if I don't take breaks and sit here too long. Another reason is my bottom starts to ache and get numb and I have to get up and move around a lot. I don't know what to do either.

Not being mean, but I guess others just do not want to make money - like me

[ In Reply To ..]
My years in transcription are 36. I have had burnout before years ago but what I did was usually take a day or 2 off. I have absolutely no problem because I like those checks that seem to come my way when I work as fast as I can on my MTing. I hate, really hate, to go under $1,000 for a pay period. It just gets the best of me. I I am not bothered during the day. Do not call me (husband and daughter excluded, but they know I do not hang on the phone) during the day. If I have a certain amount of lines each hour I will check email and maybe here, but I cannot be lagging or will start that audio going faster. As far as surfing most web sites, could care less. I look on Craigs at the celebs, the animals, that is about it, after that no web. I can sit for hours and then remember, oh yeh need that bathroom break or need a glass of water and then will do either of those. If dinner is fixed before I get off at night, will take to my desk and eat. I do VR so no problem there. I have always loved making money.

Not being mean? How about presumptuous and narcissistic? Not being mean, BTW. sm - ADHD_MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Posts like yours make my make my sphincter twitch. Are you serious??Please show me one phrase that gives the impression that "others just don't want to make money," excluding your awesome self, of course. The poor girl is searching for ways to stay focused on her work so THAT SHE CAN MAKE MONEY!

Does recession mean anything to you? I've been doing this for 20 years...and?

I know exactly how she (OP) feels. If it wasn't for the Adderall my doctor prescribed me about three years ago, there are some days I wouldn't make it through one monotonous, garbled dictation. It's not from a lack of "not wanting or needing the money...trust me.

You didn't even attempt to answer the question. Why not share your secrets of success with "those" of us who apparently (according to you) could give a rats about the almighty dollar. Seriously where do you people come from??

And you are very rude. I did give some points on - how I sit here and work

[ In Reply To ..]
Stay focused? My paycheck alone has me staying focused. I said I check my hourly rate. I said I eat dinner at my desk so will not waste time. I said I did not take phone calls. What do you want, my blood? As far as recession, does it mean anything to me. Actually no, what is it supposed to mean?

mommamt - Scully

[ In Reply To ..]
Quite a while ago a few of us would post our hourly report/job tally to each other. Kind of some "friendly competition". Or end of the day line totals. We relied on the honesty code and there was suppose to be no embelishing your daily totals. If we fell below, we'd encourage each other (via phone, IM, email). It seemed to work, but for whatever reasons, we just eventually ended it.

How about something like that. MSN IM or yahoo messenger? I'd like to give any motivation a try.

holla back!

Hi Scully - Momma MT

[ In Reply To ..]
One other MT from here and I started this morning via yahoo IM. We are checking in at 5 min before each hour. We are going to try to figure out how to make it a group chat. If you are interested, please email me at herecomesthesun95 @ yahoo. So far it is helping :)

Yahoo group - Dee

[ In Reply To ..]
I tried to email you about the yahoo group, but there is message about not existing. Can you please post correct address.

Focus group - Momma MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi Dee - it's not a yahoo group it was just my email address. We are now on Chatango as a group chat. If you want more info please email me at herecomesthesun95 @ yahoo.com

Focus Group - Dee

[ In Reply To ..]
I was still unable to use that email. I get error message saying it doesn't exist. Can you try emailing me at dmbado@yahoo.com.

You will probably laugh at me but... - MamaMT as well

[ In Reply To ..]
I love surfing the web. I am totally addicted. I had my husband block my favorite sites for me like FB, Myspace, youtube and other messageboards/sites that I frequent. That helped me tremendously. My line count really shot up since he did that. You really don't have to buy software, just Google and it will show you how. I have windows XP. If you have vista just google how to block sites on Windows vista or (whatever you have). Also, set up an e-mail account for work only and an e-mail account for everything else, MB, FB, friends etc. Anyone of the free ones will do. Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail...I hope that makes sense.

I have also heard that some people use stop watches when they are on break. That may help you, I haven't tried it yet though.

This is just what helped me. I know, it is pathetic when your own spouse has to use parental controls on you but we need the money as bad as anyone and if that is what works well that is just what we will do.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

focus - could be

[ In Reply To ..]
You said you are sick with worry and destitute, so I would imagine you have some depression. Lack of focus is common with depression. If you had your email/internet, etc. taken away you may just find something else to distract you. I was on a low-dose antidepressant in the past and it did wonders for my focus.

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