Reporter Finds Club Helping Greatly on Job

I've been a reporter for 16 years. Yesterday I started the day with making a lot of adjustments to my Mira, then doing a practice drill at 300 something testimony and 280 something literary.

I watched a lot of the instructional videos first and I just stayed on the speaker, to my fingers' surprise and my brain's consternation. Then I went to my job and wrote beautifully.

Whenever things sped up, I was there, ready for anything, and they always slowed back down long before they could throw me! It was one of those days where I could just about press print afterwards!

Best of all, the attorney asking the questions was positioned where he could see my screen and he answered all of my spelling questions at each break BEFORE I could ask them, because he was reading my screen and everything else came out perfectly!

So again thanks for the motivation and for sharing your brilliant ideas!!

Vicki Stuart

Ready-To-Quit Student Newly Motivated by Mark and Club

I just wanted to email you and let you know how much the Magnum Steno Club is helping me! I spoke with you on the phone approximately 3 weeks ago. I was ready to quit steno all together. I am the SimplySteno student who is at 180 Lit and 190 2V. You assured me that I had not hit a plateau, and you gave me some excellent tips, plus a free two week trial to the Magnum Steno Club! I have to say that I can not live without it now! I use it as a warm up to my schoolwork. It really gets me excited and in the right frame of mind to do my schoolwork.

I have to say the best tip I have ever received from anyone is your tip of staying on the [speaker]! Wow, what an improvement.

For the first time since I started learning steno do I not only feel like I can do this, I KNOW that I can do this...

Thank you again for helping me. Even my mom has noticed the difference in my outlook. It is so kind of you to take the time out of what I'm sure is a busy day to help others!

Sincerely, Jessica Mondello

Magnum Steno Student Passes CSR

Mark,

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the Magnum Steno Club and your methods. I had been in qualifiers for several months when I heard that you were coming to town to do a seminar. I quickly signed up for your seminar. Leaving your seminar I knew I had the tools needed to pass my qualifier and the CSR. I told my friend during one of the breaks, "We're going to pass a qualifier this week." I bought your book at the seminar, signed up for the Magnum Steno Club, and practiced like crazy. Sure enough, the qualifier test was on the Thursday following the seminar and I passed it!!!

I continued practicing briefs and the Magnum Steno daily practice and the CSR test was actually easy. In fact, it felt slow.

I've been working for about a year now, and I continue to use the Magnum Steno Club. I plan on taking the RPR in August and eventually the CRR. I know the Magnum Steno Club will help me achieve those goals.

Thank you so much!!

Heather C.

Magnum Steno Student Passes CSR

Mark,

Your MSC [Magnum Steno Club] helped me to pass my CSR in February 2010. I started working within a week and a half of getting my license # in April, and I have been trying to practice every day, though I had gone through two new laptops on three weeks, so I slacked quite a bit there.

I believe it has improved my writing and has given me the confidence to do the depo & court work that's thrown at me. Thank you!!

I believe that spending 15-20 minutes on MSC saves me at least twice the amount of time in editing alone.

CJC

Student Improving, Gaining Confidence

Mark,

Thank so much for getting back to me so quickly and for all the great briefs!...

I just got into my 180 Q&A a couple of weeks ago and I don't forsee myself staying at that speed very long. I have one more 160 Lit and one more 180 Jury to pass. My goal is to pass the RPR 180 Lit and 200 Jury in August.

Recently has been the first time since I started school 20 months ago that I have felt like the RPR is actually attainable. That is mostly due to EVERY one of your phrasing techniques that I religiously use. I know in the future I will be able to move my fingers much faster than I am right now and I don't need to move them fast right now, because I feel like my mind is doing all the work.

This astonishes me when I watch everyone else's fingers moving in class (no one else uses your theory who is at my speed) because their fingers move SO MUCH faster than mine. I also feel like I write cleaner, more consistently (based on their read-back in class) and that it's only a matter of time before I get paid to do this for a living...

Again, it really means a lot to me that you return my emails so quickly, take an interest in how students are progressing, and that you open yourself to questions. Have a good day, and hopefully I will be talking to you very soon.

Beau Dillard

Captioner Sees Improvement in Accuracy

Hi!

I joined the MS club about a month or so ago. I actually did the trial right before I had taken the RPR but didn't really tackle too much until after the test (long story short, I was disappointed in how much I kept "freezing" up during the test and decided afterwards to get back some speed and to practice every day). Anyway, I am up to Lesson 16 in the Briefs 101 and I am loving it!!

I am a captioner and I literally just got done doing the news a few minutes ago... and now that so many of the phrasing briefs are feeling more natural, I notice my hands seem much more calm, even during the very fast segments, and I am really getting so much closer to 100% verbatim. It just feels so great.

I think you really have a winning formula that you are teaching on your website. I can't wait to see where I will be in a couple months after I go through more of the videos, learn more briefs and keep practicing. Just felt compelled to send you a quick note. Thanks again!!!

S. L.

Reporter Passes RMR With Hard Work and Prayer

Hello, Mark.

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know my thoughts on the RMR test. First of all, regardless of whether I passed, I thought it was a good, fair test. There was no difficult subject matter which might trip us up, in my opinion. So if I failed any part of it, it’s all on me. Second, I can’t thank you enough for everything you do for our profession and for your Magnum Steno Club members especially. I have suffered from test anxiety for a long time.

I attempted the CRR a couple of times a while back, but I gave up because my fingers would shake so much that I knew I could never write clean notes on my machine during the test. I took the RMR test one time many, many years ago and didn’t even bother transcribing any bit of it because nerves got the better of me.

However, I spent a good deal of time listening to your test week videos this week and really working more on focusing my mind on all those things you were teaching rather than worrying so much about just practicing on the machine. I am certain that those videos, along with all the high-speed practice, and the prayer made all the difference for me. Regardless of whether I passed the RMR today, I feel a certain level of victory in the mere fact that I was able to put all those things into practice and I was able to overcome, in large part, my text anxiety and I was able to actually transcribe all three legs!

So here’s my rundown specifically of how the test went for me today:

1) While the warmup was playing, I prayed very loudly in my head during the entire minute, trying to really focus my mind and also trying to block out the warmup material so I would still be keyed up for faster dictation, as you suggested.

2) Literary started and I was a bit nervous, but I tried to breathe deeply and calm myself. I felt my writing was a bit rough because my heart was pounding so hard that it was a bit distracting to me. If I dropped, I don’t remember it. I did have some spots where my notes were difficult to read, but hopefully not enough to make me fail the test.

3) Before jury charge, I prayed again during the warmup.

4) Jury charge started fine, but somewhere I lost focus and dropped a bit. I wasn’t really nervous by this time, though. I wasn’t exactly relaxed, but I wasn’t a basket case either. When I lost focus, I made myself come right back as quickly as I could and regrouped, reminding myself to fight through it.

5) In retrospect, I’m thinking that it was either at this drop spot or another rough spot that was caused because I tried to correct a mistake. As soon as I hit that asterisk key, I knew it was a bad move. Again, I regrouped and went right on. I’m going to remember not to correct next time around!

6) I prayed again during warmup before testimony. When the testimony started, my mind was blown by how slow it sounded! My notes were beautiful for the first few lines at least. At the beginning is where I usually have lots of problems because of nerves, but not this time. It started off like a dream. There were several spots during testimony where my notes were difficult to read because I was fighting through a few places. I may have dropped a word or two mainly because I couldn’t read my notes, but I don’t think I had any actual drops. In other words, I had a stroke for everything, even if I couldn’t quite read it.

There was only one other reporter transcribing the RMR today. We finished at the same time, but she only transcribed two legs. When it was over and we discussed the test, she marveled at how fast the Q&A was. I told her it actually sounded slow to me, and I used that opportunity to plug your website to her. I gave her the link and she seemed interested. I really hope she’ll join so she can be sure and pass the test next time. I feel certain that if I didn’t pass today, I will pass in November. Speaking of which, I think I’ll go put in my practice for the day. I’m not going to start slacking now!

Have a blessed weekend!

[NOTE: As of June 9, 2010, we found out Dana PASSED the RMR!! - MK]

Dana

New Student Makes Progress

Hello, Mark!

I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you that it was truly a blessing to see you speak at the DCRA seminar on Saturday. I am fresh out of theory and in limbo between having finished my 60wpm tests and struggling to pass the 1st of my 80wpm tests. It's amazing how difficult it has been to increase my speed just 20wpm. I didn't expect it to be so difficult for me.

My first few attempts at 5-minute 80wpm tests yielded over 100 errors on a few of them which discouraged me to the point of considering a different course at the school I'm attending (Arlington Career Institute). Other tests were averaging between 60 and 75 errors as well.

However, after hearing you speak Saturday and utilizing my free trial to your club I have learned many new briefs that I think will help me tons, and have already. My tests this week so far have been 39 errors and 25 errors! That is a vast improvement from the disasters I was typing up just last week. I know I'll have less and less errors and soon pass all my 80wpm tests (and beyond) if I keep it up.

Not only have the briefs you introduce through the Briefs 101 videos helped me, but your encouragement and strategy in the videos goes a long way. The comparison to a tennis game, scrapping and fighting for every word, gave me a different perspective on how to take tests. I am guilty of being the "write pretty and drop" writer, so I am trying to stay on the speaker and scrap and fight for every word this week and the difference is amazing. My notes look horrible but I am able to figure out what I meant better than I thought I would.

This is the first time in my life that I've truly had to apply myself 100%. I have to say it's a bit foreign to me. I've always made good grades and performed well but it never really took the effort I'm having to make now. That is hard to admit.

So thank you for sharing your knowledge and inspiration with other aspiring court reporters. God certainly put me in the right place at the right time on Saturday. I'm very blessed to have had the opportunity to learn more about the field and get a glimpse of what I'm really working toward. I plan to subscribe to your club as soon as possible. Again, many thanks!

Shanna

Member Credits God and Club for CSR Pass

Mark,

I just wanted to share my good news with the Magnum Steno Club and list what I felt were the main elements that contributed to my success. First and foremost, I give credit to God as being the main reason I passed the Texas CSR this past January. My continued faith in Him was the only thing that kept me going. In addition to God in my life, I give credit to you and your speed videos as well as your instructional ones.

I believe there are two types of students -- those who we lovingly call "freaks" and those who have to work hard for every speed they achieve. Actually, let's not forget those students who quit. I was a student who had above-average aptitude for court reporting, but I had to work incredibly hard once I hit the upper speeds. After years of frustration at not being able to obtain the speed and accuracy necessary to graduate much less qualify to take the CSR, I decided at the beginning of this past school semester that I was going to do everything it took to get out of school. I practiced six to eight hours a day, even weekends. This resulted in a lot of stress, tension, and pain in my upper back. I started going weekly to a chiropractor as well as a massage therapist to try to relieve my pain. Nothing helped, but I continued practicing at this same intensity. I was determined to succeed if it killed me -- not literally. I would sit through testing with tears rolling down my face because of the pain in my shoulders and back. I made a mental adjustment and decided to give 100% of my effort regardless of the failures that I faced on a daily basis. I have never been challenged in life as much as I have in school.

I started Magnum Steno a week before I was to take the Louisiana test this past October. I had been passing tests in school all semester within state standards; but once it came to the actual Q&A that I needed to become a La. CSR, my hands started to shake uncontrollably for the ENTIRE five minutes. I fought for every word that I wrote. I had 85 errors on that test. Two weeks later I took the RPR. I passed the Jury and Q&A, but missed the Lit by three errors. Instead of letting this get me down, I remembered you saying in one of your videos that it didn't matter if I failed a test or not, that I just needed to do my best and give everything I had. There would always be another opportunity to test again. I felt no shame because I truly had given it my best effort.

On the day of the RPR, I realized what it was that was subconsciously holding me back. I was so worried about who in my life was going to be disappointed if I failed these tests. I finally decided that I had to do it for ME. From then on the only one I allowed to enter the testing room besides myself was God. From the middle of October to January 9th, I practiced your methods of giving 100% of my effort, to do my best to stay on top of the speaker, to block out all thoughts during the test, and to get a stroke for every word and make it the best stroke possible. I couldn't always prevent thoughts from popping in my head during a test; but with a little practice, I was able to immediately push them out. I was surprised to realize that the more I practiced the Magnum Steno way, the less time I actually had to spend on my machine outside of school. Both my speed and accuracy increased. This also alleviated some pain in my back. I was practicing smarter.

I apologize for being so lengthy, but I just wanted you to know that Magnum Steno played a huge role in my recent success. I continue with Magnum Steno because I still have a leg to go for both Louisiana and the RPR. I also plan on trying for my CRR. Thanks to you, I have full confidence in my continued success.

Sincerely,

Corina E. Lozano

Reporter Helped Tremendously

Hi Mark,

Well, I guess some people think we are nuts! After a convention, I had bought [other training website], and it is great for students, not working reporters or captioners, so I felt it was somewhat of a waste of money.

But not so with Magnum Steno Club. It has helped me tremendously, just that extra little bit that I needed. My niece just passed her California CSR and wants to caption, so I refered her to the Club, too, to keep up her speed. The encouragement you offer is appreciated, also. We don't get that much working from home, but I do love working from home.

God bless you, and keep up the great work!

Diana

Member Reports Speed Gain, Beautiful Notes, Increased Confidence

Mark,

I'm dying to tell you about my deposition yesterday. It was eight hours of an unhappy and very argumentative lawyer being deposed, not to mention the other two throwing in objection after objection. For eight hours I was not given the typical could you read that last question and answer back, please? No. It was can you go back to the place where I said "blah, blah" and tell this man exactly what I said followed by the questioning attorney saying, well, then repeat exactly what I asked to be fair.

A few weeks ago I would have been debating in my mind whether I should stop the arguing and upset them or whether to try and hold on for dear life and pray my untranslates and drops weren't so bad that they would see how unsure of myself I was as I stuttered through the mess and regretted the decision I made to keep quiet.

Not yesterday though. I was getting every single word no matter how heated it got. When I read back it was not small portions by any means, and I didn't have even one misstroke. My notes were beautiful. I had the arguments. I had the interruptions and the more it happened the better I felt. For the first time in my court reporting career I didn't feel the blood drain from my face when I was asked to read back. My confidence went through the roof! I kept thinking to myself I really am a super reporter! LOL.

I am so excited about the Magnum Steno program and the difference I'm seeing in my writing. That 10-15 minutes a day makes all the difference in the world!

Lisa R.

Reporter Sees Improvement After ONE Day In Club

Hi Mark!

I am doing five 45-minute practice sessions a day [THIS is a dedicated reporter, folks! - MK]. I'm relatively confident with Jury Charge and Literary, but I am only able to do 225 on certain dictations, for about a minute, on a good day, if everything goes smoothly, etc. etc... So, that is where I need to improve. And, of course, fine-tune JC and Lit while I'm at it...

Since joining Magnum Steno I'm essentially using your archived speedbuilding videos as my sole dictations. I also own the Accelerator Series--Testimony, Captioning, and Jury Charge--from NCRA. I've also downloaded several 230 and 240 wpm practice dictations from NCRA. However, as you suggest in your Speed Method instructional videos, I am now only using the 230, 240 speeds to verify that I can still write accurately. Before MS I would work all week towards seeing progress in a certain dictation. For example, this week I had been working on a 240 and was only able to occasionally write it in spurts, and it felt overwhelmingly fast. But, after one day of doing MS I retried the same 240--and I remind you it was HORRIBLE before). It sounded slow after the MS speeds, and it was greatly improved. After ONE day! I can hardly believe that one day of MS could do that, but I was already "sold" on your methods after your seminar and now they just continue to affirm themselves.

I'm open to doing more sessions a day, but perhaps after my WKT next Thursday... I don't want to overshadow that portion and not pass because I didn't put in enough time. MS was the best purchase I've made--it even trumps my Diamante! I hope that it can be the "game-changer" in testimony for me! I just wish I'd started it sooner! November 7th is arriving all too soon! But, I also signed up for the Illinois CSR December 19th (sort of as a backup in case I didn't get the RPR first time), so I will continue to diligently prepare for that with MS.

Thanks for your help! I'm open to any suggestions you have. I'm actually excited to practice today--almost as much as I am about a big Alabama win this weekend over Ole' Miss! I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Laura Parker

Reporter Sees Improvement After Two Days in Club

Mark, I wanted to tell you that I've practiced every single day since the TCRA convention when you gave a week's free trial to your Magnum Steno Club. I joined after just three days of the trial. I'm one of those write-perfect-and-drop reporters so I absolutely hate writing at the high speeds you're dictating but I saw an improvement after just two days of practice.

Now, after three weeks of practicing every day, I've noticed lots more improvement. It's so motivating to actually be able to tell a difference in such a short period of time that I keep practicing every day. I almost skipped tonight after a long day in depositions, but finally set up my machine and did it.

See you in D.C.! - Lisa H.

Reporter Credits Magnum Steno Club in Fantastic 10-Minute Nevada CSR Pass

Mark,

I was unprepared for the Nevada exam that I had to take. I hadn't taken an exam in 20 years. And of those 20 years, I took 12 of them off to raise kids. Ever since I came back to reporting a year ago, I relied a lot on audiosync. (Bad, I know, but this girl had to work.) Well, you can't use audiosync on an exam.

I only had one week before the exam. Someone suggested Magnum Steno, and I had nothing to lose.

Wow, was I glad I joined. I listened to Mark's instructional videos, and I took notes. Practiced his crazy, high-speed dictation, always with the "how to practice" instructions in mind. What a difference it made! The test was to be no slower than 200 and not more than 225

When they started talking, I couldn't believe it. I certainly had the speed. And Mark's words, "Get a stroke for everything" ran through my mind continuously for ten minutes while I got a stroke for everything!

I passed with only 8 errors. Magnum Steno is the way to become an excellent court reporter. - "K."

Reporter Passes RMR Q&A After Joining Club - and 4th in NCRA Speed Contest Lit

Mark,

May 2005 I sat for the RMR and passed the WKT.

May 2007 I sat for the RMR and passed the Lit and JC.

One or two more times I sat for the RMR testimony, but wasn't really close. Five minutes seemed so long.

April 13, 2009, I signed up for the Magnum Steno Club. The first time I gave up after only a few minutes. I was so frustrated. Then I listened to the instructional videos and focused on getting something for each word, instead of perfect, perfect, perfect, DROP, DROP, DROP. I practiced just about every day, if not every day, trying to practice 10 to 15 minutes at various times throughout the day, as you advise. It felt great to know that a little practice more often could be even more beneficial than marathon practice sessions.

May 1, 2009, I set my laptop up on my nightstand and listened to the test week instructional videos that I had missed, as well as some other instructional videos, before going to sleep. All that week I did the visualization of writing the test, writing through the hard parts, focusing, not caring how far into it we were because I was getting it, knowing I could write anything they threw at me, and how amazing I would feel when the test was over and I knew I had passed.

May 2, 2009, I took the RMR testimony exam, and when the last words were spoken, I could only smile.

June 8, 2009, it was confirmed: (full name), RMR

I really feel like Magnum Steno Club helped me get there! THANK YOU! You may not remember, but your advice at the Iowa Court Reporters Association in January 2002 is what helped me get out of Speed 175, which I had been languishing in for three months, and go on to pass the RPR 21 months after starting at AIB.

You rock! Thank you!

E.H., RMR :-)

[Editor's note: This young lady subsequently went on to the 2009 NCRA Speed Contest and placed 4th in the Literary and 6th in the Legal Opinion!!! - M.K.]

Reporter Loves the Club

Mark, I have been practicing ALMOST every single day. I do weekends too. This club of yours is the best thing that has happened to me careerwise yet! I love it... My morning Magnum Steno practice tends to be 3-5 mins of brief review, running through your daily dictation twice, which takes me about 20 minutes. That's about all I have time for consistently on a daily basis.

Thanks for all you do! ...Kate B.

Reporter Loving Having Discovered Magnum Steno Club

Yes! I've joined the Magnum Steno Club and I'm just getting started on the videos. I absolutely love every one I've gone through so far. You're so helpful with tips of learning briefs and psychological war was so true too. One tip that sticks in my mind is practicing a bit in the morning and then some in the afternoon, like learning a language, the more you use it, the better it sticks. Thank you so much, Mark, for taking the time to put this steno club together for your fellow reporters! I can really see how this is going to benefit me and my writing skills.

D.G.

Reporter Loves Club, Sees Progress

Hi Mark! Just a note to let you know that I really enjoy the Magnum Steno Club. I get online as often as I can between work schedules. While it is fast, it doesn't seem unobtainable to me. I really enjoy the speed.

I take this as a real positive sign in my progress. I just wanted to touch base, and let you know of my happiness with your program. I feel it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you so much!

A. H.

Reporter Seeing Rapid Improvement

Yes! Yes! Yes! I do notice improvement in my work and in my practicing. My daily writing is incredible. It's clean. It's all there, and I find that I have lots of time to think about writing short. I am reviewing briefs each each and every day before I start my speed practice and just keep adding to my list.

This whole Magnum Steno Club idea was BRILLIANT! I have always been a reporter striving to get better, and this technique of yours gives me such results! I am thrilled!!

Kate B.

Captioner Gains 10% Finger Speed and Achieves 99% Accuracy with Club

Mark, I just wanted to tell you that I have been writing every day since I signed up, which I think was about December. I don't miss a day. Well, except the day that Paul proposed to me (I said yes), but I felt so guilty that I didn't practice.

I take my machine on vacation with me. I'm driving everybody nuts with the extra carry-on, but I don't care. When my friends/colleagues call me and complain that they might lose thier jobs, there's not enough work, you know, worrying about something that hasn't happened yet, I always ask them one thing, ARE YOU PRACTICING? And then I refer them to you.

I have yet to see them sign up. Ugh. Frustrating. I have noticed my fingers are faster and closer to the keyboard and I am writing way more words in a half-hour newscast. I was stuck around 2,900 for a while and now I am up into 3,200 at 99%.

Thank you for this fitness club. It's the one thing that keeps me sane and writing like a champ. I laughed the day you told us that we were turning into champion reporters, now start acting like one!

I really appreciate the words of encouragement! Fantastic site, Mark! Thank you for thinking of it. And don't ever go away. I'll keep working on my friends.:) I'll break them soon."

Donna

Captioner Gains 10% Finger Speed and Achieves 99% Accuracy with Club

Hi Mark, We met in Philadelphia at your December seminar. I had just joined the Magnum Steno Club. I am a captioner and I have to tell you, I'm [only] about 90 percent verbatim captioning. I prided myself on the verbatim skills I had as a reporter. However, when I transitioned into captioning, I lost that skill.

And now after three months of diligent practice with Magnum Steno Club, I have gotten my skill back and it feels great! I thought you'd like to know of my success! Thanks.

Margaret (Peggy) Goodman

Hi, Mark :).

I received your Theory book and the Magnum Steno book in the mail yesterday, and all I can say is OMG. I can't believe all the great info in these! Honestly, I think you're a little bit crazy....and I mean that in the most heartfelt way :). If it can be tucked.....you tucked it. If it can be flipped.....you'll flip it. And if it can be tweaked in any way, shape or form.....you will tweak away. I love it! I've managed to incorporate a few things today, so I am happily writing a bit shorter than I was yesterday. Much thanks! - Laurie B. :)

Mark, Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your hot-off-the-press magnum opus, "Magnum Steno: Write Short - Write Fast!" To coin a new word, it is ultrasuperlative. It's the last word in a book to help neophytes gain speed and for even veteran reporters to gain much-needed speed. Sure, many good reporters write many words out, but they have to work quite hard to do so. As you said and wrote, if reporters write quickly (i.e., have fast fingers) and employ a mountain of briefs (i.e., one-stroke multisyllabic words), they will very significantly increase their speed. And that's a truism! I read every single word of the first 20 pages, and I was impressed especially with the figures that comprised your Top Speeds Table. You make a grand case for "short" writing and fast finger speed. Even though I ain't (oops) haven't reported for some 18 years, I truly agree that this duo ("short" writing and finger speed) is unbeatable and can greatly help reporters to work very difficult cases for long periods of time with less than the "average" pain and tiredness. By the way, I like the way you handle "has been" on Page 325 (Scoot down right middle finger after -FPLTD is depressed.) Also, how in heaven's name did you think up single strokes for over 31,000 words and phrases? What a stupendous undertaking. And your proofing must have taken forever. As an author of two books, I KNOW how easy it is for gremlins to enter our wonderful words and subvert them. Your book contains 528 pages, plus another 20 pages -- all with unbeatable info. To my way of thinking, that makes it the ne plus ultra of court-reporting books. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished in the past and right now with this book. I know that I am very proud of you and very happy that you are helping other reporters. You are a distinct credit to the court-reporting profession. Thanks again for sending me your book. Cordially, Santo J. Aurelio

Dear Mark,

I had a revelation last night to why I wasn't progressing in my steno speed.

You remember, as I previously mentioned. that I've been at 140wpm for almost the last year. I really never believed in myself, that I could accomplish anything worthwhile...

Well, here's what I figured out. I was attending a behavior seminar for my son last night, focusing specifically on "Self-Esteem Issues." Little was I to realize that the seminar was more geared toward me than my son.

The speaker's name was Richard Lavoie, and the title was "When the Poker Chips Are Down." It is available on PBS and is priceless, as far as I am concerned, on how to build self-esteem in children.

He explained why so many children go through life without enough "Poker Chips (i.e. Self-Esteem)." At the moment he touched on a certain self-esteem characteristic, I broke out hysterically into tears and the whole seminar looked at me. I realized that the reason I was not progressing in life was because of the old "tapes" my father used to play to me (I.E. "You"ll never accomplish anything," "I'm so disappointed in you," or "Can't you do anything right?").

He taught, in the video, how to give positive feedback, and, amazingly, how to discipline, starting on a positive note, touching lightly on the negative, and ending on a positive note. It was truly amazing, and now I am surrounding myself with only positive people and truly now believe that I am a worthwhile person and I do DESERVE to be successful and to now positively, not negatively, engage in ALL areas of my life.

I thank you, Mark, for being an inspiration to us all, giving us just a taste of what's possible in life.

Today I start my studying again, and I am confident that I can now overcome any obstacle.

Thank you again, Mark, for your insight, wisdom, skill, and patience.

Best Again,

"G."