Harder is Not Better, Part I of III
Harder Is Not Better, Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I:
January brings new possibilities, new choices. Additional focus (my opinion) and words (discussions) are shared each January regarding new goals and new resolutions.
New (revised, expanded, and perhaps reduced) choices may have our focus for a temporary or fixed period of time.
This year, as a possibility with new focus, I want to ask: have you been working harder?
Does it take someone else, (perhaps outside our court reporting, broadcast captioning and CART, Computer Assisted Realtime Translation, field), to point this out to us?
Is it possible another person, unfamiliar with our skills and our technology, might notice a court reporter is working harder
than needed?
Some of us might say, “Not possible.”
Yet when the student is ready, the teacher appears – even when the teacher is sharing a message that appears to be untimely (due to deadlines and finding time to eat lunch before 3 p.m., right?).
As professionals, we are exact – with honed, polished skills – and focused on exacting details from each minute in our world.
One casual comment, one suggestion, to change one thing in our world, might be disregarded. A comment, a suggestion, might fall into a future action (task) and goal – one that might be filed for future digestion, yes?
Herein, I want to share “Harder is not better.”
Several months ago, I purchased a new(er) computer keyboard with a wireless mouse. I plugged that puppy in and went to work.
Yes, I noticed a difference, but there were deadlines to be met, and work to be completed.
I put my head down. I completed the jobs while juggling several flaming batons.
In short, I moved forward as court reporters do (and are expected to) when we have multiple “fixed” dates and tax deadlines approaching, which require and invite our focused attention.
Several weeks after I purchased the wireless device, a technical person stood in my office to discuss a phone message. He watched as I typed on my computer keyboard.
Then Mr. IT Man assuredly stated, “You sure are pounding on that thing!”
Slowly, I counted to “two” and slowly said, “I’m a court reporter. We don’t pound. We accurately stroke, type and write.”
The man tilted his head, pursed his lips. He remained silent. We maintained eye contact. Neither he or I blinked – or continued the conversation.
The moment passed when he was called to another project and left the office.
Me? I went back to work.
Part II of III is posted June 18, 2014, Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted June 30, 2014, Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette, the Court Reporting Whisperer, may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Tutor, Motivational Management & Career Coach,
Multiple-Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting and CART Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
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About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+ year court reporter, CART Captioner, author of NCRA test prep material, and an instructor, public speaker, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes, and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
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