School. School. Cookies. School.
In August, I went to the annual NCRA (National Court Reporter's Association) Conference in Nashville. It was the jam. Not only did it get me all jazzed up about court reporting, it helped me implement some plans and goals.
NOW, I am one who previously poked fun at goals, associating the term with stuff like this:
Ew, golf. However, one thing I've known all along, and what the conference helped to reiterate, is that practicing to get nationally certified as a reporter is not going to happen without some goal setting, organization and planning. Yeah, I know I sound like your HR Person/Guidance Counselor. Dreams, Goals, Achieve, Lunch and Learn!
Part of this work is sharing your goals with others; creating more accountability of sorts. That being said, here's my plan of action and a few new things that are helping me. Check me out!
1) If I'm going to get out of school by next year, and pass the big national test, this is what I need to do. Please invite yourself to the inside of my closet! I have posted a calendar, certification requirements, and dates for the timeline of finishing my speeds/words per minute. 140, almost crushed. The fun-times Japanesy picture is just for decorates.
2) I'm reading The Plateau. A friend leant it to me. It's basically a book/manuscript acknowledging the point that court reporting students reach where they feel they can no longer progress in speed and diagnosing why. What I've taken from it so far? The importance of writing with clarity, identifying struggles and working on being a better, more professional student.
3) Practice journal. I found this cheesy thing in an old duffle bag. Every day I write down exactly what I practiced for that day. When it looks empty, I frown.
