what are your ideas on staying focused??

When I am on my game I can do 250 to 300 lines per hour, but then after a couple of hours I start dropping to less than 150 lines per hour.  How do you stay focused?  I have tried working different shifts, split shifts, etc., but I just do not seem to be able to stay focused.  I have no small children at home, so that is not a problem.  I am in my own office space, but I just seem to start drifting after about an hour and then that is it.  Any suggestions?  Thanks. 

• what are your ideas on staying focused?? - passing through
  • I time myself for 2 hours and - Typingfool
  • It sounds like your work really intensely, and so do I. sm - just take a lot of breaks
    • lots of errors in spelling. it's sm - sorry
  • Small rewards - Patti
  • Focused- easy for me - GaPeach
    • Such great tips! - rnam

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Here are my ideas for staying focused on your work and achieving better productivity.

1.  Keep your body healthy.  Get a good night's sleep each night so that you will be alert for work each day.  Most people require at least 7 hours a night to be at their optimal best, regardless of what they may believe.  Avoid snacking at your desk or, if you must snack, make it a healthy snack such as carrot sticks, broccoli, celery with peanut butter, etc., and not junk food like chips, candy, crackers, etc.  Remember....garbage in, garbage out.  Always have a good breakfast, preferrably with protein such as eggs or cheese, to help jumpstart your day and give you stamina.  Don't work through lunch but rather always break for lunch and, again, make sure you have a protein in it.

2. Keep your environment healthy.  I work much better with a clean desk.  Don't let your desk become the household catchall for the kids' school papers, permission slips, stray toys, stacks of bills, unopened mail, and catalogs....all of which draw your attention away from work and cause your productivity to suffer.  Make sure your desk and chair are ergonomic and that your reference material is in easy reach....and not piled up on your desk which only creates distraction.  Keep your desk visually appealing.

3.  Allow yourself some "play time."  Give yourself a 10-minute break in the morning and afternoon to do whatever....whether it be surfing the net, throwing on a load of clothes to wash, or whatever.  Set a timer for 10 minutes and do not allow yourself to go over that.

4.  Set mini production goals for yourself and challenge yourself to meet them.  Once you meet a goal, raise the bar a bit and go for it again.  Type uninterrupted for a hour and see just how much you can accomplish.

Most concentration problems can be resolved without the aid of medications, either prescription or herbal, and the side effects of a lot of these medications far outweigh the benefits.  Make this an absolute last choice and only consider it after truly trying to alter your work habits and work environment so that you are more rested, focused and less distracted and ONLY after seeing your physician.  Hope these suggestions help.

having his children, and allowing him to verbally and emotionally abuse those children, you're setting the example to your children that this is how a relationship works.  Now that your 16 y.o. daughter is reaching the age where she will begin dating, she has learned from home life that men call women names and expect women to clean up after them.  She's going to wind up in some lousy dysfunctional relationships herself.  Where is her bioDad?  I'll bet he wouldn't be happy to hear from her how stepfather dearest treats her.  Is he a positive role model in her life?  Probably not, or he wouldn't be your ex.  Teach her to have respect for herself and never tolerate mistreatment.

Anyway, off the soapbox now.  You go, go quickly, and never look back.  Get out of there! 

Is not a good enough reason to do this job.  period, end of story.

The money is out there, but you have to look for it and you really have to want it.  You are looking for "everything" and you cannot have it - it's just not possible or reasonable.  You have to like the job to make it worth your while or to push yourself to achieve what you are looking for.  Chances are, you are probably make good money doing editing at 5cpl, but its your lack of desire that takes you so long to get the job done thus driving down your hourly wage.  You're in love with  staying home and getting a paycheck and not the job.

If you do not like your job, your performance is going to suffer no matter what field you are in and when your performance suffers, so does your wage especially in a production based job like this. 

and listening to dictation, yes, it should be paid and she as an IC should set the amount she should be paid.

I pick-up and deliver, and that's in my line charge.  I also do that at my convenience, not theirs.  A real office is fine with that and understands the meaning of IC.  Lisa is a vendor like any other contractor.

If I had to sit and listen and sort patient lists, etc. and spend more than 5-10 minutes tops at an office, then I would charge for that time spent at that office sorting through their mess.

Let's face it.  The office is a mess and Lisa is their scape goat.  Since now they know she's bending over backwards, they will take advantage. 

Again, Lisa should not spend her time sorting out their mess.  Furthermore, if they can't figure out what to give her and "don't have time", then Lisa's response should be that she doesn't have the time either unless she charges them for that time. 

It just sounds like a real mess of a deal.  I can't wait to hear if they actually pay her at all! 

Okay, I'll shut up now!  Just the fact that she's posting again is hysterical.  I guess I'll keep my mouth shut after saying from the last thread regarding this "I told ya'' so." 

You all thought "oh just this one time."  Why do you think the other girl quit?  Hello?  Can you say doormat?

First of all let me tell you about myself. I am way past the time when I have to "make" a living, do not have children to raise, can work if I want and not if I want, have just reached that point of not having to put up with much of anything anymore. My question is to you- yes you- the one who is posting here complaining and complaining about how this work has gone downhill and it has. If you are younger and really need the money and need to work and make a decent salary, why are you hanging on to something that does not look like it will change? I see the letters supposedly being written to the president, 60 minutes and the like. What do you think that will do, if anything? I am really surprised that the trend in this job is sinking even further in the money department, no raises ever and if you want more money, then work long, long hours and 7 days a week. Instead of fussing and being irritated about the lack of work, the lack of money, etc., why in the world do you not try to find another "real" profession before you get to an age to where you would really be stuck, that is not ever being able to pull out from this hole ever. I could not raise a family on what I make now but that is the difference in me and most I read on here. Ladies (with an occasional gent thrown in here or there) what are you thinking about? Why not make a change while you are young and can? There are loads of jobs for the medical field, if this is what interests you. Staying at home with the kids was perhaps ok at 1 time but not anymore. Why not get out while the getting is good and you still have a chance to really enjoy your job while at the same time being able to survive? Think about it.

First of all let me tell you about myself. I am way past the time when I have to "make" a living, do not have children to raise, can work if I want and not if I want, have just reached that point of not having to put up with much of anything anymore. My question is to you- yes you- the one who is posting here complaining and complaining about how this work has gone downhill and it has. If you are younger and really need the money and need to work and make a decent salary, why are you hanging on to something that does not look like it will change? I see the letters supposedly being written to the president, 60 minutes and the like. What do you think that will do, if anything? I am really surprised that the trend in this job is sinking even further in the money department, no raises ever and if you want more money, then work long, long hours and 7 days a week. Instead of fussing and being irritated about the lack of work, the lack of money, etc., why in the world do you not try to find another "real" profession before you get to an age to where you would really be stuck, that is not ever being able to pull out from this hole ever. I could not raise a family on what I make now but that is the difference in me and most I read on here. Ladies (with an occasional gent thrown in here or there) what are you thinking about? Why not make a change while you are young and can? There are loads of jobs for the medical field, if this is what interests you. Staying at home with the kids was perhaps ok at 1 time but not anymore. Why not get out while the getting is good and you still have a chance to really enjoy your job while at the same time being able to survive? Think about it.

A hotel that states they have "internet access" does not necessarily have it in your room. A lot of them have what they call a "business" center where they have like a community computer to share with other guests or to have access on your laptop you need to sit in that room. I dont know about you but I dont feel like dragging out all of my equipment and sitting in a lobby somewhere to work. Double check that they have internet access available in your room.. and be forewarned that most chart for wireless internet access like maybe $10-12 for a 24-hour period. We just got back from Vegas, and to me, it was worth that fee for a whole 24 hours. I got the most work I could out of it.

Love NOT getting paid while sitting doing my nails too.  It's a real turn on.

I tell all my friends to try it -- sit in front of your computer while you have no money to pay your rent and instead do your nails, you get a real buzz down in the pit of your stomach.

I picked up an exercise bike at a yard sale for $1 and a mini trampoline for $5.  Whenever I need a break to recharge, I get on the bike or trampoline for 5-10 minutes.  They say that little spurts of exercise throughout the day are as effective as exercising all at once.  Plus, it'll help clear your lungs out.  Another thing to try is to just step outside for a moment and take some really deep breaths of fresh air in.  You used to inhale deeply with smoking, so now you inhale deeply without the carcinogens.  You can also try yoga or tai chi.  Very calming on the nerves.  I also switched to herbal tea, so I'll take a break and fill up my little teapot for one.  Replace your bad habit with a good habit.  Just don't replace smoking with eating.  If you need the hand to mouth thing, try air popped popcorn, cut up fruit or vegetables, a small amount of nuts or seeds, or hot peppers.  I keep a jar of Bit o' Honey and fireball candies on my desk, so I'll have one of those a day.

It's important to reward yourself, so take the money you would ordinarily have spent on cigarettes and get something for yourself.  I like to buy books, bubble bath, stinky candles, mocha lattes, restaurant gift certificates.  You can also put the money you're saving into a big jar to watch it add up for a BIG reward.  I saved enough to buy a dishwasher, which is kind of silly for a reward, but I really wanted one.

Number one was psychology, but that will take too long, going part time, and knowing in the next five years MT'ing might not exist.  You need a bachelor's to get foot in the door.  I wish they had schooling completely on line for this degree, but they do not. 

Second is something with cooking.  Would like to work with people on diet and weight loss, since it is the way i've lived my own life for years and I believe strongly in it.  The chef/cook field is predominantly male, so it will be hard to get a foot in the door there.  I can be a certified dietician all on line within a year, but the pay isn't all that good.

Ultimate goal would be a personal chef or working for myself doing SOMETHING.  I think thats everyones dream.

My daughter LOVES trains, and you can find scenic train trips all over.  We did one in Romney, WV that was just wonderful.  The train was called Potomoc Eagle, and we did see bald eagles on our trip. 

Not sure where you are in WV, but what about Hershey, PA?  Probably not the cheapest vacation, but lots to do.  Besides HersheyPark itself (very kid friendly) there is a zoo, a garden and more.  I'm sure there are packages available.  

I'm anxious to see what others come up with too.  We are in PA and looking for some close trips as well.  Which beach do you go to?  We found a beautiful not-so-commercial beach at Lewes, DE last year and can't wait to go back!

Good luck with your planning!