As you know, your day as a freelance court reporter is not finished when the deposition concludes or when closing arguments are made at trial. Your day goes far beyond sitting in an attorney’s office, a courtroom, or even a conference room, listening, writing, and creating a verbatim record of what is being said. A lot of your time off the record is spent editing transcripts and creating official copies from your home. Working from home is awesome; the freedom to make your own hours and avoid sitting in traffic are a few reasons why, but is it the most productive environment?
When you are on location it is your job to stay on task. You are there for one reason and one reason only, and that is to capture every word. There are fewer distractions because everyone in the room has the same goal. At home, distractions are thrown at you right and left. Maybe your daughter needs help with homework, your cat all-of-a-sudden thinks your laptop is the perfect spot to take his afternoon nap, or your neighbors decide that it is finally time to get that tree trimmed outside your office window.
There are so many different obstacles that can cause you to lose focus while working from home, but no matter what the setting is, you must ensure the records you are creating are complete and accurate. That is why we have compiled 5 tips on how you as a freelance court reporter can stay productive from home and cut back on the disturbances as much as possible.
Tip #1 – Separate workspace from family space. When working from home it is important you separate your workspace from your family space. By dedicating a room or a specific area of the house for work, you are creating clear boundaries between work and home life. Remove all distractions from this area, such as the television, and remind your family that when you are in this area you are not to be disturbed. When you are in your office do not think about home, just as when you are in your home do not think about the office.
Tip #2 – Create a daily list of priorities. Each morning before you start your day, sit down and make a list of everything that you need to get accomplished. Is it your day to drive carpool? Does your son have a dentist appointment? Add those items to the list, along with anything work related, such as editing a transcript. This will allow you to schedule your time appropriately and also ties in with tip number 3.
Tip #3 – Stick to a schedule. Once you have a list of your daily priorities it will be easier to stick to a specific schedule without interruptions. For example, you might have set aside your morning to take care of family matters, and devote the afternoon to work related tasks. Yes, at times issues will arise and schedules may overlap, but staying organized and on task will ensure everything gets done in a timely manner. Use a spreadsheet or a mobile app for tracking time. Mark down when you start and stop your tasks, as well as how much time you spend on each of them. Completing and reviewing the spreadsheet in real time will help you stay focused.
Tip #4 – Dress for success. Nothing sounds more amazing than rolling out of bed, putting on a fresh pot of coffee, and sitting in front of your computer for work. You may feel that there is no need to jump in the shower or get out of your comfortable pajamas because you are the only one who will be seeing yourself that day. This is not the best idea. You don’t have to put on your business attire and get all dolled up like you would do if you were going to a deposition, but you should at least dress more professionally. This tells your brain that you are no longer in “relax around the house” mode, but instead that you are ready to work.
Tip #5 – Take a break. When working on a large transcript it is important to take breaks. As much as you want to power through page after page, doing so could actually slow you down. Get out of the house, go to lunch, take a walk, or just take a few moments and step outside to take in some fresh air. Sitting in front of a computer all day is easy to do, but not good for productivity. Your body and mind need time to refocus, allowing you to “step back into work mode” with a fresh set of eyes for editing.
Not every court reporter works the same. The key takeaway from this article is to find a work environment that best suits your needs, an environment that promotes success. Following the above tips helps to set the stage for a more productive work life, which in turn gives you more time to spend doing the things you love, like cooking, shopping, or even taking that vacation you have always been talking about.