I forgot to comment on nerves. Here's my philosophy on nerves:
I feel speed cures all nerves. You need to be above your goal speed in order to pass any test. I honestly believe that goes for all of us. My son has always been as cool as a cucumber, but I know if he wasn't always above his goal speed, he wouldn't have passed tests. Even if we're not showing it on the outside, I find it really hard to believe that there's a person out there who doesn't get nervous -- unless, maybe, there's nothing on the line.
I'm a super freak when I hear, "Ready, begin." I would never pass a test -- or even come close -- if I wasn't well above the speed of the test.
Yes, Jackie. The way to reach your goal more sooner than later is to join (start using) the Magnumsteno.com Club. It will help you so much. If you have two hours to practice at home, put a chunk of it over there.
I think you said you are a member but are not using it. If that's the case, start putting the time in. You will see improvement.
I apologize if I have you confused with somebody else, but I think that's what I remember.
My point about telling you I can write clean at 240 Q & A is just trying to stress the point that no matter how fast I try and write, I can still come back and write a clean 240. (If I'm having a bad day, I know I can write a clean 220 Q & A.)
I wouldn't recommend starting the Q & A extensions right now. Maybe the simple ones, but where I'd spend your time is new theory concepts that shorten your writing with little effort. Hopefully that makes sense.
I think Mark's Stenomaster theory book is an awesome book for StenEders on their way to writing shorter.
I also think StenEd is one of the easiest theories to start slicing and dicing on. While it is stroke intensive, it's very basic and doesn't have some of the whacked-out principles some of the theories out these days do.
I still think the inflected endings is the best place to start. Then you can start tucking them, like the -g for -ing. (standing STANGD)
One of Mark's theory concepts that is really pretty easy -- after you get the -ed included in the initial stroke to start -- is the inverted -T for -ed
landed LANTD
Just take baby steps now and don't try to take on too many new concepts at once, BUT never, ever stop trying to write shorter. It will make you love your job forever, you'll have less stress, and your body will last longer. Writing short is truly a win-win situation.
You keep me posted. I'm really excited about your future for you!
Trevor, who just qualified to take the CSR -- mom is also in qualifying (if you saw her most recent posts in the Magnum Steno Fan Club) -- he is a StenEd user that has recently started using Magnumsteno and is really happy with it, and, of course, is getting great results.
I feel if you are able to write perfect notes at these speeds -- even lower -- you will never shatter your notes.
When I practice the screaming speeds, I pretend I don't have notes. I don't look at a computer screen, notes, a disk. As far as I'm concerned, my notes do not exist.
I honestly don't care if my hands are hitting the right side of the keyboard when they should be on the left.
I can write perfect notes probably at 240-plus Q & A 100% of the time. I think I can write Q & A sloppy at 300. Maybe even pretty readable. When Mark dictates at whatever that dang speed is -- I know it's way above 300 -- that's when I really don't care where my hands go.
After those speeds, though, the perfect notes at the 240 plus are a guarantee.
You need to break the old hand speed. Depending on how short you're writing, you probably have plenty of room to get faster.
You can increase your speed two ways: by increasing the speed of your hands or writing shorter. If you do both, of course you're going to gain speed quickly.
How short are you writing??
Are you including all the inflected endings (-ing, -s, -es, -ed) in most of your strokes??
When you're incorporating a shorter writing principle, take the ones that come the easiest and, as I like to say, give you the most bang for your buck. That's why I always recommend starting with the inflected endings. If you're already including them, AWESOME!
I'll stop there before I bog you down.
Just have faith in yourself and know you can do it. That's sometimes the biggest hurdle.
Oh, and my head hurts so freakin' bad after writing Mark's dictation, BUT, again, when you drop it down to your goal speed, you'll know it's within reach.
Still can't get my eclipse to do the ASCII! Maybe Tammy can do something about it. I just remembered I was supposed to send you my regular email- it's cynthia.cooper73@yahoo.com
See you tonight!
Hey Jackie!
Are you still thinking of carpooling? If it's yucky out tomorrow like today is, I think I am just going to take the metro. So much traffic!
It's so weird, I received your message with your teacher's contact info last night, but didn't write it down, and now it's not showing up in my inbox! Could you send it once more? I will call her today so I can meet up with you guys on Thursday. Thanks again!
I am working full time for a catering company, but I make my own schedule and can make sure I'm off those evenings. I live in Springfield, and if you want to carpool, I could pick you up on the way to Rockville. I am so excited to find this group! It's been rough trying to keep myself practicing and without doing readback with someone else, I haven't gotten anywhere. Yes, I would love to speak with her, if you could email me her number or email address I will contact her right away. I can't make it tomorrow, but I can definitely be ready to start on Thursday! Thanks so much for contacting me!
Thank you so much for responding!
I am still just trying to do this on my own and I really could use some support and structure! Please let me know when and where you meet up, and I can adjust my schedule to join in. I was at 200, probably by now it's more like 180, maybe 160 for Q and A. I haven't been in school since December, so I've been slipping. I'm excited to meet you all!
Hi, Jackie. Your picture caught my eye. Interesting. And you live in DC, cool. I have a sister in DE and she goes to DC every chance she gets. What school do you go to? Are you full-time or do you have to work, too?
Jackie's Comments
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Keep up the hard work!
Yes, I am having a great day, too. I think they're all great!
You've done awesome so far, so it's just around the corner now.
It's in your neighborhood and such an awesome opportunity for you.
I feel speed cures all nerves. You need to be above your goal speed in order to pass any test. I honestly believe that goes for all of us. My son has always been as cool as a cucumber, but I know if he wasn't always above his goal speed, he wouldn't have passed tests. Even if we're not showing it on the outside, I find it really hard to believe that there's a person out there who doesn't get nervous -- unless, maybe, there's nothing on the line.
I'm a super freak when I hear, "Ready, begin." I would never pass a test -- or even come close -- if I wasn't well above the speed of the test.
So . . . keep pushing!
I think you said you are a member but are not using it. If that's the case, start putting the time in. You will see improvement.
I apologize if I have you confused with somebody else, but I think that's what I remember.
My point about telling you I can write clean at 240 Q & A is just trying to stress the point that no matter how fast I try and write, I can still come back and write a clean 240. (If I'm having a bad day, I know I can write a clean 220 Q & A.)
I wouldn't recommend starting the Q & A extensions right now. Maybe the simple ones, but where I'd spend your time is new theory concepts that shorten your writing with little effort. Hopefully that makes sense.
I think Mark's Stenomaster theory book is an awesome book for StenEders on their way to writing shorter.
I also think StenEd is one of the easiest theories to start slicing and dicing on. While it is stroke intensive, it's very basic and doesn't have some of the whacked-out principles some of the theories out these days do.
I still think the inflected endings is the best place to start. Then you can start tucking them, like the -g for -ing. (standing STANGD)
One of Mark's theory concepts that is really pretty easy -- after you get the -ed included in the initial stroke to start -- is the inverted -T for -ed
landed LANTD
Just take baby steps now and don't try to take on too many new concepts at once, BUT never, ever stop trying to write shorter. It will make you love your job forever, you'll have less stress, and your body will last longer. Writing short is truly a win-win situation.
You keep me posted. I'm really excited about your future for you!
Trevor, who just qualified to take the CSR -- mom is also in qualifying (if you saw her most recent posts in the Magnum Steno Fan Club) -- he is a StenEd user that has recently started using Magnumsteno and is really happy with it, and, of course, is getting great results.
Keep in touch!
I feel if you are able to write perfect notes at these speeds -- even lower -- you will never shatter your notes.
When I practice the screaming speeds, I pretend I don't have notes. I don't look at a computer screen, notes, a disk. As far as I'm concerned, my notes do not exist.
I honestly don't care if my hands are hitting the right side of the keyboard when they should be on the left.
I can write perfect notes probably at 240-plus Q & A 100% of the time. I think I can write Q & A sloppy at 300. Maybe even pretty readable. When Mark dictates at whatever that dang speed is -- I know it's way above 300 -- that's when I really don't care where my hands go.
After those speeds, though, the perfect notes at the 240 plus are a guarantee.
You need to break the old hand speed. Depending on how short you're writing, you probably have plenty of room to get faster.
You can increase your speed two ways: by increasing the speed of your hands or writing shorter. If you do both, of course you're going to gain speed quickly.
How short are you writing??
Are you including all the inflected endings (-ing, -s, -es, -ed) in most of your strokes??
When you're incorporating a shorter writing principle, take the ones that come the easiest and, as I like to say, give you the most bang for your buck. That's why I always recommend starting with the inflected endings. If you're already including them, AWESOME!
I'll stop there before I bog you down.
Just have faith in yourself and know you can do it. That's sometimes the biggest hurdle.
Oh, and my head hurts so freakin' bad after writing Mark's dictation, BUT, again, when you drop it down to your goal speed, you'll know it's within reach.
Keep me posted!
Sounds like you're killin' it in school! Good for you!!
Are you a magnumsteno.com club member?? It will push you over the top.
See you tonight!
Are you still thinking of carpooling? If it's yucky out tomorrow like today is, I think I am just going to take the metro. So much traffic!
I am still just trying to do this on my own and I really could use some support and structure! Please let me know when and where you meet up, and I can adjust my schedule to join in. I was at 200, probably by now it's more like 180, maybe 160 for Q and A. I haven't been in school since December, so I've been slipping. I'm excited to meet you all!
Great Drilling Material For Any Steno Theory...
www.thebriefzone.com
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