How do you stay motivated?
Posted By: Lisa on 2006-03-14
In Reply to:
I have been transcribing for years - feeling burned out - can't concentrate and keep on typing enough to make much money. Does anyone have any tricks for staying motivated??
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okay now i'm motivated but
The most I can get is about 1700 lines and thats on a very rare occasion, without some sort of hand, arm, wrist, finger pain making me stop. And if for some reason I do not have pain, I get distracted (my own darn fault), but I find it hard to stay focused for a consecutive two day stretch, ill have one good day, then throw it all away the next day. As far as the pain, if youre only getting the numbness, and with the lines youre typing, maybe i'm sitting wrong or using the wrong keyboard.
Need to get motivated
Ok, here's my situation. I've been working as an MT from home for 10 years. I have loved it for the most but it does have its negatives. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I have decided to apply for an MT position with a hospital and I would still be able to work at home. They require 60 minutes of dictation to be transcribed each day. At first I thought - no problem - but now that I've thought about it I am getting kinda worried. I have lots of experience as an MT but I'm getting cold feet now! Can I do this? What if I can't (how embarrassing!) I'm starting to realize that I would really have to buckle down and stay incredibly focused! In other words, I'd have to get rid of all my bad habits like surfing the web, stopping to do a load of laundry, etc. I do not normally do 60 minutes a day. So can an old, somewhat unfocused MT learn to become focused and extremely productive again? That's the question. I am not a lazy person but I do know that over the years I have become a bit slack in my work habits. Now that I have this chance to work at a great place making good money, I want to shape up my act and go for it - but part of me wants to just stay status quo. Maybe I am lazy! Grrr.... Not sure how to pick myself up and self myself to an employer and get seriously motivated but I know there is a part of me that says - go for it! Any suggestions? Any comments? I guess I'm looking for some support here and a dose of confidence too! Thanks.
Yes, it is hard to get motivated that way.
I've had my own clients and worked for MTSO like the one you're describing and had similar problems with both. Gave up my own clients because I was tired of the hassle, then ended up with an MTSO that started great but always had some excuse why pay wasn't on time, and never their fault. I found another MTSO to work for, only I made sure this one had direct deposit. Now check is there every time, on time, and they use a platform so no "lost" files because you can track everything. I wanted you to say there are better MTSOs and MT situations out there in case you decide not to go with the new job, but I have to say, the new career path sounds like a great opportunity. I hope it works out well for you! I've often thought it'd be nice to find a legit FT at-home job NOT in MT so let us know how it goes.
Motivated Production
When I first started working by the line, as I got closer to where I wanted to quit for the day, I would tell myself "I can do 5 more reports." Don't think about the lines, only the reports, let the dictation flow through your mind. You can use this technique per time period (every 2 hours, 4 hours, whatever works for you). If you can't face the prospect of 5 reports, make it 3. Once you have been doing this for a few days you WILL see a big increase. Those reports are the BONUS you are giving yourself. Don't think about who is paying you at this point, think about what you are paying yourself. I know you can do it. You can e-mail me if you want some encouragement, I have been at this full time since 1976.
You must be self-motivated to be a good MT anyway. If you couldn't SM
do well with the self-study program, you probably wouldn't be a very productive MT. I think this is the first bad word I've ever heard about these companies. I'd hire a graduate in a heartbeat because I would know they were competent or they wouldn't have graduated.
No. MTs who are not motivated end up talking and we did all the work
dd
Seems to help me... Keeps me motivated, energy up... et cetera. NM
:)
So what do you do to keep motivated to type during the work day? Sometimes I find it so hard to...
stay focused. When you're working at home it is soooo easy to turn on the TV, take frequent breaks to answer the phone, talk to hubbie, play with the kids, take a hot bath, play solitaire on the PC, surf the net, post on a message board, etc.
I just wondered if anyone had any miracle cure for the wandering mind?
I'm having a hart time lately staying motivated and getting a good count,
x
It wasn't a high schooler that motivated HIPAA's invention
of a well-known, well liked and now deceased tennis player at the beginning of the acknowledgement of the disease and cost the career of that man.
Makes me wonder what other misinformation you distribute.
And you stay with him why?
x
Stay away
This is the worst company to work for, please take everyone's advice. Certain accounts get put on what they call a lock out for depositing THEIR checks that bounce constantly!!! Then you can't get the money you are owed! There are so many better companies. Please look for one except this one.
I will stay.
x
I would stay where you are (sm)
until January. This is already a stressful time of year (the holidays) and you'd just be adding to your stress by learning a new job. Although your new employer may grant you the time off, it most certainly would be without pay. Good luck!
stay
I would stay for the house, nothing better than peace of mind in having your own home.
They should stay away,
it is nothing but a pyramid scheme, no matter what anyone tries to tell you!!!
Stay far away!
The owner is a lunatic. You should look elsewhere.
I would stay away if I were him, too
Do not blame him at all!
Help! They won't stay. :(
I had to set my home page as the main forum page here in order to get the links to "stay"/show up. Does anyone know, what might I need to change in NAV in order to get the links to stay without having to use this as my home page?? I normally click on the main forum page from my Favorites.
TIA.
If your DH wants you to stay out of it...
then I think you should.
Just my opinion. If you don't want to fight with him over it, then don't. Why should this other woman's indiscretions cause problems in YOUR marriage?
You are probably better off to stay out of it.
I can't see why an administrator would have to "make-up" anything unless she's covering her own butt or the MT's that work under her. Is she making it up because the dictation was erased by mistake or the doctor didn't dictate it in the first place. I just can't see someone putting themselves on the chopping block when it is simply a matter of asking the doctor to dictate the report. Is this an MTSO? I know there are certain things that are legal which is to state at the bottom of the document "dictated not read". To me this basically means the doctor trusts the report was transcribed/handled in the proper manner.
If you really think about it there are probably more errors made by MT's and doctors overlooking things in their reports because they won't take the time to read them thoroughly then this situation of an administrator "making-up" reports.
I'm not sure I'd want to be involved unless I knew for sure. I think you are better off just doing what is expected of you as an MT. JMO. Stay cool..... 
I'd stay out of it.
A workflow coordinator isn't necessarily QA, so as long as she's not correcting your reports, she may do just fine making sure everything goes where it needs to and arrives on time.
If she IS QA-ing or changing your transcribed reports, then I'd say you have a right to bring it to someone's attention.
VR is here to stay...
I agree, it is less money, and sometimes the reports can take even longer than it would to type it, but then you get the really good reports in between that only take a few minutes.
VR is not going away, so somehow we need to embrace it and make it work for us. There will be a few companies that will stay with straight typing, but that is because they do not want to spend the money or time to train the VR. My accounts are 80% VR and 20% typing, so I do still get to type and balance out the $$$$, and it is not easy, but I still prefer it over typing all day.
stay or go
Tough call... I worked for a local group until October 2008. We heard about EMR coming for more than 3 years before it actually started to become implemented. That particular group did go with a point and click system and indeed, when they went to it, that was it. With over 25 doctors, though, they brought it in one department at a time. I will say this... when it became obvious that the time was drawing near (training sessions for other employees, etc) and we all started to get that antsy feeling you describe, the "head guy" came in and held a meeting with us in the transcription department. He stated (falsely) that it would be a year AT LEAST before any of our MT jobs would be at risk and assured us that we'd be offered positions (in house, of course) elsewhere in the offices. Needless to say, that ONE year was less than 5 MONTHS.
If you're feeling antsy and it's giving you so much grief, I would definitely start my search for other IC work. I mean, if you've no benefits to lose and you know you've no interest in anything in-house with them (IF it'd be offered), then why cause yourself heartache..
Just my opinion from a "been there, done that" perspective.
Thanks, but I try to stay away from DQS...sm
i just never liked that platform and never could get the hang of it. I will stay where I am because I plan on retiring from this profession for good in a few months. :)
Stay or Go
Love the company for what?? It's kindness. Jump ship before its too late, as it is for me. I loved my company too!
Well, er, ummm, I can't stay away. Let's just say that.
l
Stay away from M-TEC. Do a search here for more
x
All you need to do is stay there for 3-6 months to get the
We all start out in really crappy jobs, but stay there because it looks good on the resume for a better company. My first place I worked with, I had to work with a guy who had no idea what he was doing, would type just about anything he wanted just to get paid (at that time 7 bucks an hour was big bucks) and when i'd correct him, because it would look bad on me too (there were only two of us per shift in the small room connected to the ER), he'd flip me off behind my back and make faces. It was complete nonsense, but it got me into a better company.
Our QA stay on the same page. Here's how. sm
We give feedback to our MTs on every report that comes through QA. The way our QA staff stays on the same page is to provide feedback to the MTs and we BCC to the other members of QA along with a BCC to the QA manager. We SEE what QA is telling the MTs and if we have a question, we ask amongst ourselves. We stay on the same page. That way, if an MT decides that they want to say a QA person told them something, we all know what was said.
It is a wonderful way to stay on the same page. It also is a great way to help the MTs.
We work with our MTs very closely.
Stay away from SoftScript
Please read further down this board. There are MTs threatening law suits against this company. Not only are they rude, but they promise you the moon and once you start working for them don't deliver. Many of these MTs are complaining about SS stealing their lines. The line counter software shows how many lines you transcribe, but this is not jiving with the pay they are receiving. The QA manager is a totally incompetent ass. Just do yourself a favor and stay away. There are many other companies out there who are good to work for, but not this one.
Stay at home DAD???
Any wives out there have a stay at home dad? Or, any dads out there a stay at home dad? Today is my husband's last day of work (YEAH!!!) I am very happy, he was a branch manager of a huge company and was working 13 to 15 hours a day. We readjusted and got rid of some bills and he QUIT!! I told him to take AT LEAST 2 months off before he even thinks about working again.
Since I work at home, any tips for making him feel great about what he is doing? I happen to know that staying at home with kids is the hardest job in the world and I want him to feel appreciated. Also, I am worried about us getting in each other's hair too much since I stay at home also. Any advice? I know it is kind of a strage situation, but we are very thankful and blessed that we get to do this. He missed out a lot on my 5-year-olds growing up and he doesn't want to miss anymore (we also have a 2-year-old and planning for 2 more within the next 3 to 4 years)
The best stay at home Dad
My hubby stayed home with our 3 kids when our twins were born. Our oldest was 5 when they were born. Since I had the better job, he stayed home with them during the day and worked at night after I got home. He is the best Dad. The twins are now 9 and they all are so close to their Dad. He cooks, cleans, does laundry, take the kids everywhere (the last favorite thing they did was a fishing derby when he left with the kids and all the neighbor kids at 5:30 am). This week they spent a whole day at Grandpa's farm. He even kept 2 other kids when he was a stay at home Dad to earn extra money for groceries. It is wonderful to see how close children can be to their Dad. These are memories they will never forget. So bravo to all the Dads out there that have stayed home with their children. It is not an easy job, but many blessings come with the job.
I have been there -just say "I'm so sorry" and stay quiet.
a cooked meal sounds great!!! A good time to do that is after the hoopla has died down and she is faced with emptiness. That is when most people think you should be *over it* - she won't ever be. If you are a close friend, send her a card on the child's next birthday and on the 1st anniversary of his/her death. The mother will love you for it. Mention the child in conversation whenever you can, but don't force it.
and p.s., you are entitled to your own feelings, so gripe about anything you want!
If it was me, I'd stay right where you're at.
$15 an hour is a pretty good thing to throw away for being paid on production, especially if you'll have three kids underfoot interrupting you every five minutes.
This problem is here to stay
Big businesses need these guys for cheap labor. America is a money making whore, excuse the term. The middle man will be cut out in no time, so there will only be dirt poor and filthy rich. I walk outside my house and I wonder what country i'm in with all the different languages I hear. I'm not prejudice by any means, just this country is so greedy and it doesn't take care of its own first, just bugs me.
Stay there in India.
And the companies want to outsource their work to these freaks. They spell careers as "carriers". LOL. I guess they don't care about quality transcriptionists that's for sure.
Hope he gets to stay.
It won't be the same without him.
Why stay in a bad situation?
Sounds like YOU don't have work maybe. But as my own boss, if the company using my services, paying me on production, does'nt have work and thinks I am just going to sit there staring at a blank screen making no money, they are sadly mistaken. I would be out of that situation faster than you could click a mouse. I am in charge of my future, my paycheck, my family's welfare. Why would I give some lousy company control over all of that, if they had no work for me and especially, no money for me.
Oh yeah, it is here to stay!
I can't give it a rest because it is what I saw. I know it is hard to believe, but you have to. It is the truth. That is why she is the adminstrator of a forum. So she can stay behind closed doors and only go out occasionally.
Stay away from MQ forum! LOL...nm
stay with hospital
If a MT is fortunate to find a hospital employee position, I think she/he would stay. I know I would. Sometimes the hospital will offer an at home position. After 16 years as a MT, it is quite a mess out there in regards to salary. Up to 2003 I made $16+ for transcribing and $18/hour for QA. The company was sold and there were a lot of unanswered questions with the new owners from India. Since then I have made as low as $5 but quit that real fast, guess with what national. Right now I have found a job that pays by the gross line at home as an employee. Take care.
That's where I stay when I go. You will never be bored
and then go to the Ocean's Club. They have some condos you can rent that are part of Atlantis too that are quite nice and they are within walking distance and you get to use all the amenities. That is where I would say to go.
Stay away from AT&T/SBC....they will cut you off-it happened
xxx
STAY IN YOUR CHAIR! :-)
nm
Stay tuned! (sm)
I'm working on a productivity blog right now that will have the info you need to easily learn IT and other programs that will boost your productivity.
This blog will be absolutely free, available to anyone, and will offer daily productivity tips.
I've seen too many posts here and on other MT forums offering to share productivity secrets for a mentoring fee or other payment and decided to put as much info out as I could myself for free.
I'm not providing the link today because I want to have a week's worth of material blogged before I show it to people, but I felt for you on reading your post and wanted to give you a heads up.
Is anybody able to stay in shape
while doing MT because it is such a sedentary job. I currently work 1 FT and PT job, both doing MT, and find I am having trouble not putting on weight. Is it possible to work as an MT and not get fat (or fatter)? Any tips or suggestions for a fiftyish grandmother would be appreciated.
Stay strong!!
I started my son in preschool and he got so sick, that I decided to keep him home with me. I've been a Transcriptionist since before he was born and I figure I could teach him myself. I sent to the local educational store and got a few things. This worked out fine for the both of us. He became healthy and stayed healthy. I know you stated you didn't think you could do this but it's not that hard. On the other hand, when my son did start school I kept a close eye on his teachers. There was one teacher where him and her just didn't get along. He would come home totally unhappy almost every day of the week. I gave it about three weeks, then decided I would get him changed to another teacher. This worked perfectly. He is now in 4th grade and has been getting either honor roll or principal's honor roll every since. You are the master of your child's future, not the teachers. They are human and a few of them will not click with your child. I taught my son until he could start kindergarten. When he started kindergarten, on his first day he came home and stated "Mom I knew all the work in school. I did it all and it was easy." That was my shinning moment in life. Always remember you are the mother of your daughter and you have to make decisions for her, even though some people will tell you different. Your child's education is in your hands, not the teacher's. Now days we have too many children growing up too fast, especially the girls. She sounds like a real sweet child and is doing appropriate things for her age. One more note, every though you don't think you can teach her, you can. It is so much easier than you think. Even if you just get something for her to write her ABC's and her name would be a real plus. You can search online for things to give your daughter to do at home in her spare time. If she gets tired easily when writing then you can help her by giving her extra at home, just 30 minutes or less everyday to do. She will do just fine and will show that teacher one day that not only was she ready for school but look how far she has gone. STAY STRONG MOM, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THERE AND SURVIVED. YOU WILL TOO! Hugs to the both of you!!
To stay focused sm
I keep my bills in plain site. Nothing motivates me better. LOL
would stay away from antidepressants if possible because
they are infamous for having a side effect of weight gain. HOWEVER, I would recommend finding a really good counselor. After 15 years of depression and anxiety, I found a great counselor. After working with him for 6 months, was depression and anxiety free without medication (which personally I would have said impossible). You are eating for a lot more reasons than hunger. Get to the bottom of a lot of hidden, stuffed things and the weight will take care of itself, IMHO.
JMHO but I would stay put...
these nationals have really gotten crappy....crappy pay, crappy dictators, just plain crappy. Since you are worried about your present employment, keep the job you have while working for a national and see what you think. Difficult decision, I know. Good luck to you.
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