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your tips for staying attentive. - Monikah

Posted: 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 minutes here and there adds up to more free time and happier clients~!!!

Sincerely,

Monikah

focused - sleepy

[ In Reply To ..]

Nuvigil is the only thing that keeps me focused for a long period of time.

I set goals for myself, but I have to keep them small or I get frustrated. I'll set goals for a certain number of lines, like 550 or so, and not get up from my chair until I hit that number. The hard part for me is getting my rear end back into the chair and not taking 30 minute breaks!

Also, some MTs are totally against this, but I have a television next to me that is set to a news station. It's more a psychological thing for me, since I tend to feel very isolated when working from home. I feel more connected to the outside world when I have the news on the TV. I have to admit though, most of the time, the sound is down so low that it's barely audible.

mental breaks! - djr

[ In Reply To ..]
I take a lot of "mental breaks." I'll read a short article I find online, check my email, just something to give my fingers and my brain a rest for a minute or so. I do a lot of editing, which can be severely boring, and I try not to take a break when I'm working on a report, only between reports. Once I put my foot down, I try not to let it up until the report is finished.

I work a shift, so this might not help, but I keep the clock on my computer screen covered with a post-it, and there are no other clocks visible from my desk. Otherwise, I would do nothing but clock-watch constantly!

No-Doz washed down with strong coffee! Closing - the blinds to block view helps, too.

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a beautiful, sweeping view out my "office" window, which too often pulls my eyes away from the PC. I'm usually the most productive at night, when the blinds are drawn and I can't see anything but my PC. Until about 2AM, anyway! Then I start to nod off with hands on the keyboard, foot on the pedal.

Hi, Monikah. Something simple that helps me stay focused - Pragmatist

[ In Reply To ..]
is breaking dictation into paragraphs for proper readability. You simply can't do it if you're not paying attention to the meaning of the words. You probably do that anyway, but not everyone does. From the complaints here, though, I suspect it also makes the work more interesting. I never get dead bored, as so many say they do.

Regarding productivity, I'd actually love to hear what works for you since you obviously work smart already. I can't think of anything to beat getting more and more into that expander. I did choose single letters to replace th, sh, ch, etc.

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