Five Apps To Improve Typing Speed & Accuracy

/0 Comments/in , , , /by Jocelyn Mackie

For any transcriptionist, accuracy and speed are paramount to your success. You can develop these skills on the job, but you risk compromising quality. Regularly devoting time to skill improvement is the best way to reliably improve your typing skills.

Fortunately, there are many typing apps available that vary from serious and clinical, to fun and silly. It depends on the skills you want to enhance and what platform work best for you personally when it comes to your learning style and preference. The five apps below offer a variety of options to help you improve your typing skills. Consider giving one or all a try.

1. Ratatype

Ratatype is a full-service typing education platform featuring tutoring and testing. You take an initial typing test when you first visit the website and after that, you have the opportunity to sign up with an email address or Facebook account. The resources offered by this site are not available to you unless you create an account but they are free once you are signed in.

Fortunately, this effort proves to be worth it. One resource includes a brief overview of touch typing, which you likely know if you already perform transcription. However, if you are self-taught or have gaps in this skill, the tutorial contains extra tips you may missed at some point. Posture, finger position, and even the distance between you and the monitor are all topics in this overview. If you are an experienced typist, you can at least consider the overview a good checklist for making sure you don’t have any gaps in your knowledge.

The other resource Ratatype offers is their typing tutor. It offers a series of exercises to develop your typing speed and accuracy. They start very basic with letters on the home row and then expand into complex combinations. None of the combinations involve real words which makes them more challenging than you might expect. As you complete each exercise, the difficult improves and you gain informal certifications along the way. There’s also a typing test available so you can check your speed again as you complete exercises.

2. 10fastfingers.com

10fastfingers.com offers the tests and tutorials similar to Ratatype with an extra element—international competition! Choose the correct language first (or you won’t stand a chance) and prepare to enter an epic battle over the title of quickest keyboarder. Top scores post once the competition concludes. Most rounds last 60 minutes and accommodate whoever enters them in that time period.

You can track your progress by opening an account with the website, which is free. Even if you’re not the competitive type, there are still tools available to help you improve. There are also typing tests involving the most commonly used words. Choose between the one with the 200 most common words or the advanced test with 1,000 of the top words. There is also a text practice screen and an app that will help your typing speed on mobile devices too. It is unlikely you would transcribe on a mobile device, but if you want to text faster, then this can’t hurt.

3. TypeRacer

You can consider TypeRacer a cuter version of the first two. It works on an automotive racing theme that is easy to master. You control a race car with your typing speed; you gain speed if you are quick and accurate and lose it when you make mistakes. The text you type is pulled from books and popular games, giving you an assortment of complexity in the material.

Choose a single-player “race” to practice or get involved in competitions with other users. Unlike the worldwide 10fastfingers.com, this is a field of five which can feel a little less intimidating.  Once you finish your race, it will indicate your typing speed and the source of your material. Races also show the words-per-minute of your competitors which will give you an idea of how your skills stack up.

Of all the apps, this one makes typing mistakes the most noticeable. When you miss a letter or type the wrong one, your car stops and the field turns red. It stays that color until you fix it. This can be a good tool if your accuracy suffers and you tend not to notice the errors until you finish.

If you wish to track your progress or maintain bragging rights on a high score list, you need to register. But if you wish to enter races as that mysterious dark horse named “Guest”, that option is also available to you.

4. Keyboard Ninja

Keyboard Ninja is there for you when you want to learn from something less serious. Based on the Fruit Ninja game popular on tablets, this is a fun option that helps you better coordinate where your fingers land on your keyboard.

There are many options for difficulty. You can limit your practice to the home, top or bottom row, the numbers pad or include all letters. There are also three levels: easy, medium, and hard. If you choose the hard level and include all the keys, prepare for extra challenge!

Like Fruit Ninja, the object is to slice fruit before it falls to the ground, but avoid the bombs. The difference is you type the letter or number that corresponds with the fruit, rather than run your finger across a touch pad. If you hit a letter attached to a bomb, your game is over. This will help with accuracy and definitely improve your hand-eye coordination—an often overlooked skill with transcription.

5. Tommy Q

Many keyboarding games have a basic concept: Hit letters in order to affect a certain action whether that is slicing fruit or popping balloons. Tommy Q is unique from many games in that it not only requires typing full words but also using the arrow keys. It also contains elements of strategy that make it seem more like a video game than a tool for enhancing job skills. However, it works very well for the latter.

You will enjoy Tommy Q if you are a zombie aficionado as well as a transcriptionist. In this game, zombie hoards invade Tommy’s backyard. He defends his turf with a hand cannon that shoots baseballs. As you type the words associated with a zombie, Tommy shoots out a tennis ball and when you successfully complete the word, the zombie is dead. You gain points by typing correctly and lose points with mistakes.

However, the game offers further complexities besides typing that will expand your keyboarding proficiency. You also need to position Tommy with the arrow keys before you type and shoot. The game also makes “power-up” items available that you gain by typing their words. With all the different dynamics involved in this game, you will likely find it much more entertaining than your typical typing tests and a good reprieve from work, as well as some needed education.

The best part of all these apps is that they encourage what you need most to improve at transcription jobs and typing speed: Practice. It does not matter which one you choose as long as you can remain consistent.

10 Grammar Mistakes No Transcriptionist Should Make

/4 Comments/in , /by Tracy Theodoroff

 

If you’re a transcriptionist, there’s a good chance you find yourself correcting everyone else’s grammar.

But you just can’t help yourself, can you?

Hey, the fact that incorrect grammar and spelling irks us is what makes us good at our transcription jobs.

Am I right, and can I get a heck yeah?

So while the rest of the world would rather watch paint dry, let’s rejoice in taking a moment to make sure our mad grammar skills are truly up to snuff.

Here are ten easily made grammatical errors that we transcriptionists must be sure to avoid. These examples are typical of what I often see in my insurance transcription job, but these tips should apply to all types of transcription work. Most of these grammar mistakes are homophones (a word pronounced the same as another, but having a different meaning). And if you’re unintentionally changing the meaning of a transcript…that’s never a good thing.

All right. Show me what you’ve got! You get extra brownie points for getting all of them correct without cheating.

 

1) Did you need to hire an (aid/aide) to help you out at home after your injuries?

Survey says aide is the correct answer here, because an aide is an assistant, while aid is a form of help. So, like, to make that as clear as mud, take a look at this example.

I really need an aide to clean my house and bake me some cookies, because this walking aid is getting in my way.

Can you aid me in getting an aide?

 

2) Based on his (affect/effect), I’d say he was seething over what happened in the accident.

Affect is usually a verb, and effect is usually a noun.

Except when they aren’t.

I see people making this grammar mistake all the time. Affect is a noun when referring to the appearance of someone’s mood, and effect used as a verb means to bring about.

Despite his apathetic affect, he still wanted to effect change in the policy.

What’s the above answer then? Affect. I bet you didn’t expect your online transcription job to involve so much grammar, did ya?

I personally love Grammar Girl when I get stuck on this one.

 

3) Sure, the (principle/principal) I owe on the loan is way less than the car is worth, but it’s the (principle/principal), because the accident wasn’t my fault.

This is another one of those grammar mistakes I see fairly often in my insurance transcription work.

Maybe you’ve heard the old adage, there’s a pal in principal. It was supposed to help you remember the correct spelling for the guy whose office you got sent to when in trouble at school. But principal is also a sum of money that draws interest while principle is a general truth or rule.

So mark yourself correct if you chose principal and principle, respectively, as the answers above.

 

4) Have you been a freelance transcriptionist for (awhile/a while)?

I’m not going to bore you to death here with explanations of adverbs versus phrases. Instead, I’ll offer this tip for avoiding this grammar mistake: Take awhile and replace it with another adverb such as “loudly,” “quickly,” “silently,” or whatever floats your boat.

Were you at the light for quickly or not for very long?

Yeah, that clearly makes no sense, right?

Now, take a while and replace the while with an actual period of time, like a month, year, or whatever you’d like.

Were you at the light for a year or not for very long?

So in this example, a while is the correct answer, no Schoolhouse Rock needed. But if you want a more in-depth explanation, you can always visit the Grammarist.

 

5) Had you already (past/passed) the stop sign when the other car hit you?

Again, to avoid making you wish you could dig your eyeballs out with a spoon, it’s shortcut time. This one is great, especially if you’re an insurance transcriptionist.

When referring to movement, substitute “moved past” in your sentence. If it works, then use passed. If not, then past is the one to use.

Had you already moved past the stop sign when the other car hit you? Or, I drove moved past the stop sign before he hit me.

See. The second sentence doesn’t sound right, which means you should use past.

According to Grammar-Monster, “Passed is the past tense of to pass. For everything else, use past.” Pass it on!

Wow. You’re getting pretty good at this. Work-from-home transcriptionist or grammar pro? It’s getting hard to tell!

 

6) I just want to (ensure/insure) we get all of the facts of the loss.

This one is relatively straightforward, but often confused. To ensure is to make certain, while insure means to protect against loss (uh, duh, like insurance, right?).

We want to ensure we’ve got those facts of loss straight!

This is one of the simpler grammar mistakes to correct.

 

7) Are you having the pain (every day/everyday) or just occasionally?

Every day refers to each day, as in:

I drive my sister bonkers every day.

Everyday is an adjective that means daily or ordinary, like:

Shall we take the Aston Martin or the everyday car instead?

The answer here is every day.

 

8) She needs an interpreter because she just (emigrated/immigrated) from Mexico and doesn’t speak English.

You emigrate when exiting a country. You immigrate when coming into a country. See a pattern here with those initial letters? Emigrate, exit. Immigrate, in.

So what’s the answer?

The lady in question emigrated (exited) from Mexico.

 

9) Did you feel the accident was (eminent/imminent/immanent) or were you completely unaware that it was going to happen? 

According to Merriam-Webster, eminent means well-known, imminent refers to something about to happen, and immanent is something inherent or present within.

Maybe it was an eminent diplomat who immanently knew the accident was imminent.

 

10) The students went on a trip to the state (capital/capitol) last week.

Use capital when referring to the primary city in a country, province, region, or state, which is usually (but not always) the seat of the government.

The capital of Oregon is Salem.

Capital can also mean the money that a person or business has in their possession. It refers to the letter that starts a proper noun or sentence. Oh! And one more–it can also refer to a severe type of crime, which can result in the death penalty.

Use capitol with an “o” when referring to a building that holds a government’s legislative branch.

Capitol Hill is where the United States Congress regularly convenes.

 

And that’s all for now, fellow transcriptionists! How did you do, honestly? What grammar mistakes trip you up regularly? Leave a note in the comments and let us know!

 

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Psst! We’re hiring. If you’re an awesome transcriptionist looking for something new, click below to see our open positions.

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Text Expanders for Transcriptionists

/12 Comments/in /by Allegis

How to Start Transcribing with a Text Expander

Recently, we surveyed several hundred transcriptionists on their usage of text expanders and, to our surprise, discovered that only about 70 percent use text expansion. If you’re not familiar with text expanders and how they work, then this post is precisely for you. Text expanders can increase your typing speed (up to 30 percent) and you can earn more as a result.

Tackling Repetitive Phrases

Repeatedly typing the same words and phrases is mind-numbing, increases keystrokes, and burns precious time.

Luckily, it’s possible to automate the typing of repetitive words and phrases and increase your turnaround time (TAT). Text expanders provide the solution.

What Are Text Expanders?

Think of text expanders as similar to the auto-complete or predictive typing on your smartphone. Text expanders use custom abbreviations to insert words or phrases for you automatically.

Insurance transcriptionists often come across the phrase “accident report.” With a text expander, you can eliminate ever needing to type this phrases out, letter by letter, again. By using the abbreviation “acdr,” for example, you can automatically insert “accident report.” Handy, right?

You can use custom abbreviations to insert a wide range of text fragments, from single words to entire paragraphs. Advanced text expansion software can even auto-insert canned email responses, forms, and templates, but let’s keep it simple for now. We’ll save the advanced stuff for a later post.

Text expanders can also increase accuracy. You’ll reduce your spelling and grammar errors by entering words and phrases perfectly once; they’ll automatically be entered that way every time.

What’s in It for Me?

Text expanders require effort to set up, learn, and maintain, but you’ll thank yourself later. Setup involves entering commonly used words and phrases, and creating and memorizing custom abbreviations (the “trigger” text). On an ongoing basis, you’ll want to spend time maintaining and building your dictionary. However, once you’ve integrated text expansion into your transcription work, you’ll be amazed at how you ever lived without it. Using a text expander will reduce your TAT, save keystrokes, improve accuracy, and boost your earnings. The benefits are significant.

Research has shown that transcriptionists can increase their productivity by up to 30 percent by using text expanders. If your earnings typically pencil out to about $15/hour, a 30 percent increase in typing speed translates to $19.50 an hour. Think a 30 percent increase is too extreme? Well, even a more modest 15 percent increase would bring you up to $17.25/hour!

The Best Text Expanders

When we surveyed our transcriptionists to find out what text expander software they’re using, Microsoft Word’s AutoCorrect feature came in as the clear favorite, with 46 percent listing it as their text expander of choice. Tying for a distant second place were Shorthand 10 and Instant Text 7, and in third place was Phrase Express. Many other text expanders were mentioned, but these were the top four.

Using Microsoft Word for Text Expansion

Microsoft Word’s AutoCorrect feature is a popular and simple way to begin using text expansion while transcribing. Chances are, you already own the software (Allegis transcriptionists transcribe in Word).

While you won’t find a feature within Word labeled “text expander,” what I’m going to show you is how to use the Spell Check feature called AutoCorrect, which automatically corrects misspellings and other common errors as you type.

Here, we’ll be using Microsoft Word 2016 to demonstrate the setup steps.

Open Word Options (Click File then Options). This brings you to the following screen. Here, select Proofing, and then click AutoCorrect Options.

Within the Proofing dialogue box (below), you can now add your own custom text expansion abbreviations and phrases!

Step 1, make sure the “Replace text as you type box” is checked, enter in a custom abbreviation in the “Replace:” field, type the word or phrase that you want to substitute for it in the “With:” field, select Add (step 2), and then click OK (step 3). And just like that, you’ve added your first text expansion phrase!

To try it out, enter your desired abbreviation and either hit the Space Bar or press Enter. Your new phrase should appear.

How to Start Building Your Text Expander Dictionary

Here are several recommendations for adding custom abbreviations and text fragments.

It can be tough to know where to start, so here’s a prioritized list of tips for building your text expander dictionary:

  • Typos
  • Words with Punctuation (except “it’s”)
  • Difficult Words
  • Repetitive Annotations and Phrases

It is recommended you focus on adding any words or phrases that break your typing rhythm. The most efficient way to add your entries is to do so while transcribing, though some people like to make a list and focus on adding up to three a day.

Custom Abbreviations:

For custom abbreviations, you’ll want to make sure that they’re unique enough so that you won’t accidentally use them. In my earlier example of using “acdr” for “accident report,” the chances of me unintentionally typing this character string are quite low.

Follow a consistent method such as the ABCZ Typing Abbreviation System. The ABC stands for the first three letters and Z for the last letter. Applying this method to “hospitalization,” you’d type “hosn.”

For phrases, you can use the first two letters of each word. For “left turn” you’d abbreviate it as “letu.” For longer phrases up to four words, it often makes sense to use the first letter of each word. So, you’d abbreviate “thank you very much” as “tyvm.”

Find a method that works for you. Consistency is the key to becoming familiar and efficient with text expanders.

Not sure what phrases to add to start building your AutoCorrect library? Here are several common phrases to get your creative juices flowing:

  • pga: please go ahead
  • plpr: please proceed
  • sb: should be
  • tsm: thanks so much
  • tymc: thank you for taking my call
  • ykwim: you know what I mean
  • yw: you’re welcome

Note: While Microsoft Word’s AutoCorrect is a great way to get started with text expansion, we want you to be aware that AutoCorrect dictionaries can be difficult to transfer into new versions of Word when upgrading, making this its primary drawback. If you plan on upgrading to a new version of Word soon, you might want to wait until after you upgrade before building out your AutoCorrect dictionary for the first time.

Other Text Expander Software

Want to go beyond Word and check out more advanced text expander software? More advanced options work within word processors, but they often go far beyond by working within your email client, web browser, and many other software programs. Some come with documents generators, input forms, preset phrases, and more, which can make them worth the extra cost.

  • Shorthand 10: Free trial. $29.95/yr or $159.95 for a non-expiring license. Low-cost, easy-to-use, basic.
  • Instant Text 7: Free trial. $/yr. More advanced features.
  • PhraseExpress: Free trial. $80.62/yr. Has the most features. Works within many programs.

Go Forth and Expand Text!

Typing common, repeated phrases is a time-consuming and tiring task for transcriptionists. Luckily, modern technology provides a solution to make your transcription job easier. Text expansion software is one of the most powerful tools available to you.

Get started with text expansion right away by using software you already own. By investing a few minutes each day in adding custom abbreviations and phrases, you can start increasing your transcription speed. Save time, save your fingers, and ultimately make more money transcribing. Oh, and you’ll even get the added benefit of reducing spelling and grammar errors. Microsoft Word’s AutoCorrect is a popular way to get started, but many other text expander options are available to you as well.

Do you use a text expander? If so, tell us about your experience and share your tips for maximizing this great tool.

How To Find Your Best Fit In A Transcription Job

/8 Comments/in , /by Tracy Theodoroff

When it comes to work-from-home transcription jobs, what makes a good fit for one person might be, well, a terrible fit for YOU. This is why it’s so important to do your homework before accepting a job offer or new contract from just any transcription company.

You need to consider (and first be aware of) a number of important factors before committing yourself to a new online transcription job.

So let’s take a look at six important questions to consider when looking for that perfect transcription job.

 

1) Can you select the orders you transcribe?

Some transcriptionists prefer to have work assigned to them, while others prefer to have a queue system where they can choose work, 24/7. And still, other transcriptionists like being alerted when work becomes available so they can grab it on a first-come, first-served basis.

I’m sure you probably have your own preferences for file assignment, and the same goes for transcription companies. Every company seems to have a different approach to work distribution. Some will assign you files, providing you with little choice or flexibility. Other companies might allow you to choose the files you transcribe.

What’s your preference? Figure out what approach you prefer and use this as one of your decision-making criteria as you assess your freelance transcription job options.

 

2) What’s the required turnaround time?

If the thought of being chained to your desk, scrambling to complete quick-turnaround orders gives you cold sweats, you’ll want to find a transcription job that accommodates longer turnaround times. I’ve seen all kinds of deadlines out there, from as short as two hours (think emergency room STAT) to days or even weeks (lengthy files or courtroom proceedings).

So, find out how much time will you have to complete files. At Allegis, you have anywhere from 4-24 hours to complete orders.

And don’t forget about time zones and how they will factor into your deadline. If your transcript is due in New York at 6:00 a.m., but that means 3:00 a.m. for you in California, you’re probably going to want to cross the finish line much earlier.

 

3) What’s the minimum work requirement?

Some online transcription jobs have production requirements and others don’t. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the minimum requirements in a new position. This is especially important when juggling more than one transcription contract.

No one likes to turn down work opportunities, but overcommitting sets you up for failure. And don’t say “yes” just to be nice. You’ll end up stressed and your employers will be frustrated. Remember that life rarely goes as planned.

For example, committing to two contracts where the combined workload is an estimated 40 hours on paper is probably pushing it. Certain transcription orders will take you longer to complete, you’ll get sick, your laundry room will flood—basically, life will throw the unexpected at you. Build in a little wiggle room. Doing so will help keep you sane.

Talk to transcription companies and see what they recommend. They should have insight into what work arrangements are optimal. They can also tell you where they’ve seen transcriptionists experience issues and how to avoid those circumstances.

Just be realistic when assessing how much work you can take on. You don’t have anyone looking over your shoulder in a freelance transcription job—which is nice, but it also requires an extra level of discipline and planning.

 

4) How much support do you need?

Let’s be honest, some of us like to have easy, regular access to support staff. Others operate just fine on their own with very little assistance. Some of this independence comes from experience, but personal preference certainly factors in as well.

But aside from personal preference and your experience level, no one likes hard-to-reach support staff, especially when it can deadlock your productivity.

So consider how much support you’ll need. Find out how accessible help is if you’re working odd hours and run into trouble. Is there after-hours support? Technical support? Ask other transcriptionists at the company, dig around in online forums, and inquire about the experiences others have had.

Having the support you need is crucial to your success in a work-from-home transcription job.

 

5) How often do you get paid?

I think we can all agree we enjoy being paid reliably and in a timely manner.

First, before you even check on how often you’re paid, make sure a company PAYS. Yes, unfortunately there are transcription companies out there that don’t always pay their transcriptionists. Luckily you can (usually) find out which companies have poor reputations by checking several of the online transcription forums. Check with your friends in the industry too.

Now that you have reasonable assurance that you’ll be paid, find out what a company’s payment process and frequency is. What’s the invoicing process and frequency look like? How long does it take to receive payment on an invoice? If you have to wait 30 days to receive payment on work you completed two weeks ago, that might be pushing it.

 

6) How much (and how) do you get paid?

Even if a new position meets all the other criteria here, if the pay rate doesn’t meet your expectations then it might be a deal breaker.

Figuring out what you’ll make often isn’t as straightforward as you might imagine. Companies can pay by the line, audio minute, work order, page, and the list goes on. For example, trying to compare a job opportunity that pays by the line versus a company paying by the page, isn’t an easy task. You’ll need to do a few conversions in order to do a comparison that makes sense.

One way you can compare two different payment methods is by converting them into average hourly pay rates. This is another area where transcription companies often can help. They should be able to tell you average hourly earnings based on a figure like WPM (even though much more factors into earnings than your typing speed). For example, a transcriptionist who types 75 WPM might make $13.50 an hour on average. Again, it’s a rough conversion, but it can be a good start in comparing pay rates when the payment methods are different.

And keep in mind that transcript format varies from company to company. It can’t hurt to request sample transcripts so you can compare each side-by-side. You might find that a template’s formatting makes a difference in the average word count per page. For example, one question you might as is if a company require double or single-spacing between speakers. Find out formatting details if you can.

 

Additional considerations

And finally, beyond the six factors we looked at here, don’t forget to consider things like the type of transcription (insurance, general, medical, legal, etc.), the company’s reputation, the subject matter of the work, and the audio quality. But these six questions are a great place to start if you’re not sure what factors to consider that will you help you find the perfect fit in your next transcription job.

 

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Psst! We’re hiring. If you’re an awesome transcriptionist looking for something new, click below to see our open positions.

Click to Transcribe for Us_button

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Top 5 Ways to Prevent Eye Strain as a Transcriptionist

/3 Comments/in , /by Karla Ellison

Are you damaging your eyes when you transcribe?

As a transcriptionist, you spend hours staring at your computer monitor without even thinking about the potential health consequences. You’re too laser-focused on listening and transcribing the right information. But while your diligence helps you finish your work quickly and accurately, you could be damaging your eyes in the process.

Why?

You’re staring at your computer monitor (and other digital screens) too much. The distance from your monitor, screen glare, existing vision problems, and—a reason many people don’t realize—blue wavelength light emitted from LED (light emitting diode) monitors, all contribute to eye strain, or computer vision syndrome. According to WebMD there is evidence blue light could lead to permanent vision changes, such as  age-related macular degeneration.

Also, research reported by WebMD indicates that, “somewhere between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen have at least some symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS).” These symptoms may include: blurry or double vision, dryness, redness, headaches, and neck and back pain.

With this in mind, what can you do to help keep your eyes healthy as you transcribe?

Here are five tips for reducing eye strain.

Top 5 Ways to Prevent Eye Strain as a Transcriptionist

 

1) Visit your Eye Doctor.

“As more people spend their days at work on a computer and their free time on handheld devices, we are seeing more patients who are experiencing digital eye strain,” says Andrea P. Thau, O.D., president of the American Optometric Association (AOA). “The problem can be relieved by taking simple steps, and the first step is to have an in-person comprehensive eye exam with a doctor of optometry and discuss your screen time at home and at work.”

When you visit your eye doctor, you’ll learn the current status of your vision health. Your optometrist can also provide recommendations on the latest, anti-glare and lens technology for your specific needs.

 

2) Take Breaks Every 20 Minutes.

Look away from your computer screen at least every 20 minutes. Close your eyes and rest them for a few minutes. Also, glance around the room. Many people use the easy-to-remember 20-20-20 rule of looking away from their monitor every 20 minutes and staring at an object that’s 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

During your breaks, it’s also a good idea to get out of your seat and walk around. Try to go outside, get a breath of fresh air and focus your eyes on something off in the distance.

Your body and mind will appreciate the change of scenery. Then, you can go back to work feeling more refreshed. And if you have trouble taking breaks, set an alarm on your phone or use a simple kitchen timer to remind you that it’s time to rest your eyes.

3) Keep Your Eyes Lubricated.

When you transcribe, it can be easy to look at a computer monitor and avoid blinking for long periods of time. Staring causes eye strain and dryness. Because of this, try to blink often and keep your eyes lubricated. You can buy lubricating eye drops at your local store. Just be sure to check with your doctor first to see what is best for you.

For additional help, learn more about dry eye care at DryEyeZone.com. You’ll want to know what you are putting in your eyes to avoid allergic reactions and any other potential discomforts.

4) Cut the Glare, Evaluate Lighting.

 When you transcribe, create lighting conditions that work best for your eyes. Take some time to review your office environment.

Does it seem too dark or light in the room?

Is your monitor too bright?

The lighting around you should not be too bright, and you should not see any bright light glare on the computer screen. In addition, it is suggested that you make sure that the computer monitor screen isn’t backed to a bright window or facing a bright window so the screen looks washed out (use a shade or drapes to control window brightness).

Glare filters can also be purchased to put on your monitor.

5) Adjust Your Monitor Placement.

When you evaluate the lighting, also look at where your monitor is in relation to your body and head. The AOA recommends that you, “Sit a comfortable distance from the computer monitor where you can easily read all text with your head and torso in an upright posture and your back supported by your chair. Generally, the preferred viewing distance is between 20 and 28 inches from the eye to the front surface of the screen.”

Once you have your monitor in the appropriate position, test it. See how you feel after a day of transcribing. If you feel any strain or pain, make additional adjustments and test it again. Continue making changes to your setup until you find a position that is comfortable and decreases any unnecessary strain on your body and eyes.

 

Keep Your Eyes Healthy While You Transcribe.

The Vision Council indicates that 65% of Americans experience digital eye strain. To have healthier eyes while you transcribe, follow the tips above. Get a comprehensive eye exam, take breaks, lubricate your eyes, and review your workstation. Then, you’ll be able to avoid unnecessary eye strain and complete your transcription projects in a healthier work environment.

 

Tips for Managing Your Money While Freelancing

/1 Comment/in , /by Karla Ellison

Freelancing can be a dream come true or one of the most hair-raising experiences you’ll ever have. On one hand you are your own boss, you make your own schedule, your income is limited only by your own efforts, and you get more tax deductions. On the other hand, everything is on you when you are a freelancer. You have to get all the work done, no teams, partners, or significant others to share the load.

When you are freelancing doing things like writing or transcription jobs, you have to do all the administrative work yourself as well as your billable work, including billing for goods and services, paying any invoices, collecting on invoices so you get paid for your work, and pounding the pavement for new business. Sales and marketing and social media promotion take a big bite out of a freelancer’s week. Time management takes on a whole new significance when time really is money because you are looking for more clients while trying to keep current clients satisfied with quality work and excellent services.

It can be a difficult balancing act to produce profitable goods and/or services, keep a positive cash flow, and stay happy and productive while doing it. So what’s an industrious freelancer to do? Consider the following tips for managing your money while freelancing, so you have more money coming in than going out and can better focus on increasing your income.

Build a Nest Egg

When you’re a freelancer, you don’t get the 401(k) with employer match, or stock options, so savings take on a new urgency. Start out by building up an emergency savings fund of three to six month’s living expenses. Build this up and put it aside and don’t touch it unless something happens and you really need it. It’s also a good idea to save funds for special contingencies, such as vet emergencies (or euthanasia and burial) and car repairs. Retirement planning and funding is just as important when you’re freelancing as when you work for an employer. Roth or traditional Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) are important retirement planning vehicles. The goal should be to put 15 to 20 percent of your income away for retirement in accounts like a Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP IRA or Solo 401(k)).

Track Your Spending

When your income is not always consistent, tracking how and when it gets spent is important to keeping more of it in your pocket. Keeping track of your spending is as easy as pulling out your smart phone and logging expenses in an app. Free online tools, such as Mint.com, YouNeedaBudget.com, and GnuCash.com help you quickly and easily set up a budget and keep track of what goes in and what comes out of your bank account. If you use your smartphone for texting, surfing the web, and playing games, it’s time to put it to work on more than fun and diversion. Use it to track your money and to learn how to tame your freelance finances with resources like Mint.com’s “Financial Management for Freelancers.”

Take Advantage of Tax Deductions

When you’re freelancing, unless you are already independently wealthy, have a rich uncle, or are sitting on a tidy trust fund, tax time is time to keep more of your income with tax deductions. Freelancers can take advantages of tax deductions that others can’t. Take a look at the following and see if you are taking all the tax deductions your freelance life entitles you to take using Schedule C, Form 1040.

  • Home Office

Just because you work at home with a desk and a chair doesn’t mean you can take the home office deduction. You have to meet the IRS requirements to qualify. Those requirements are exclusivity, using your office only for business; regularity, using your home office on a regular basis; and precedence, using your home office most of the time to conduct your most important business activities. There are two ways to claim the home office deduction, with the simplified method that gives you $5 per square foot of home space used for business for up to 300 square feet, or using the standard method to calculate your deduction with Form 8829. Here’s where you use your receipts for all those “home officey” things you bought like printer ink, wireless printer, dedicated phone line, and business cards.

  • Insurance

Yes, you can deduct business insurance when you are a freelancer. The portion of your home you use for your home office and a portion of the accompanying renter’s or homeowner’s insurance that you spend on it can be claimed in your home office deduction. Not an expert in insurance needs of freelancers? Not to worry. Talk to your friendly local insurance agent about insurance options like adding on to a home or tenant policy, an in-home business policy, or a business owner’s policy.

  • Other Freelancing Deductions

You may not even realize all the freelancing costs and expenses that you can deduct from your income at the end of the year to lower your tax liability. Don’t forget about costs for things like domain and web hosting, telephone and Internet, advertising, office supplies, and business meals. Using apps like Expensify or Bench to upload and itemize your meal receipts is as simple as snapping a photo of your receipt.

Time Management Tips for Freelancers

/3 Comments/in , , /by Tyler Marshall

Time is money, and when you work from home, time is almost as good as gold. Time to be productive and stay focused. Time to get all your household to-dos done. Time to pay attention to loved ones. Time to get your administrative work done. And time for downtime; remember, those hours where you don’t have to worry about deadlines, clients, past-due invoices, or work, commonly known as nights and weekends. When you’re freelancing, the temptation to work late and start early is always there and time management quickly becomes crucial for creating and maintaining a balanced life, with room for both  work and play.

Working from home can be a very satisfying and rewarding endeavor. It can also be overwhelming. When you need to get a handle on your time to work profitably and productively, you need more than a hope and a prayer. What you need is a plan.

There are different distractions and challenges for those who work from home. Rather than meetings, deadline-driven project work, the boss’s demands, and competitive co-workers, domestic concerns tend to creep in. I know I’ve struggled with this before. It’s great to be working from home and avoiding a long commute, BUT the dog has to be walked, friends stop by unexpectedly, lunch breaks turn into a two-hour Netflix binges… the point is, working from home creates many, many more opportunities for distraction. When you’re a freelancer, other people aren’t around to keep you on your toes like there are at the office.

So where to start? How do you gain control of your time and make sure distractions don’t ruin your productivity?

 

Set a Work Schedule

Have you ever stayed up until the wee hours of the morning working? Have you set your alarm and your programmable coffee pot three hours before everyone else in the house wakes up to squeeze in extra work time? Have you locked yourself in a room for three days straight for a big push either when you got behind or had extra work to do?

Stop right now and decide what your ideal work schedule is. Most employers have schedule policies and set up their work environments by shifts to get the most productivity from their workforce. You can do the same when you’re freelancing. Do you want to work first, second, or third shift? Is the standard nine-to-five work day a good fit for what you do or would another schedule be a better fit? Give yourself a set schedule, including breaks and lunch hour, just like an employer would. Make sure you build in enough time for family, fun, and sleep. Give yourself a set schedule and get control of your work week.

 

Get App Happy

Need to get better at time management? There’s an app for that. Or rather, there are a TON of apps for that. Take a look at these, pick the one you like best, and start using it:

  • RescueTime – Monitor how you spend your time so you can see how you’re spending your time, block out chunks of time for specific activities, and get a handle on how you work at home so you don’t lose one more minute.
  • TimeBloc – This app helps you block your day into multiple events and is designed to streamline your time blocking experience.
  • Focus Booster – Track time for profitable tasks with Focus Booster’s user-friendly dashboards, set timers for breaks, and get total at-a-glance visibility of your time with easy reports.
  • Focus Keeper – Helps you keep your productivity high, avoiding burnout using the timer. Work with time, not against it!
  • Emergent Task Planner – Just can’t give up the pen and paper for electronic time management? Don’t worry. Emergent Task Planner lets you write down your tasks and activities so you don’t forget anything and can block off segments of time for work.

 

Noise Helps

Think of all the things that distract you when you work at home. Unless you have constructed a completely sound-proof room for working in, you’re at the mercy of concentration-breaking noise like the phone ringing, the doorbell, television, people talking in other parts of the house, and any other activities outside of your work space. These can all make you take much longer to complete work than if you didn’t hear them and get interrupted. When you need to focus on the task at hand, noise-cancelling headphones or white noise can be great ways to help you tune out background noise and tune in to your work.

 

Get Out of the House

Sometimes freelancing from home just doesn’t work. You might be stuck in some bad habits, such as breaking for your favorite talk show or stopping every time your kids have a question. If you find yourself losing too much time every day, pack up your laptop or tablet and head out to your local library or coffee shop for some quality work time. A change of scenery can be a real refresher, new source of creativity, and good focusing tool. It gives you a break from the distractions at home and lets you re-focus all of your attention on the work.

Some work requires more focused attention without surrounding noise and interruptions. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, background music may actually be a good thing and help your creativity. But for transcriptionists,  music might be the enemy because there’s a significant amount of listening and focused attention required, and music could make it more difficult to hear the audio you’re transcribing.

 

Useful Books

Books are also a great source of inspiration and ideas for increasing your productivity. Read a couple of these top-selling books on the topic to get started:

  • “15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management” by Kevin Kruse
  • “ Scrum – The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time” by Jeff Sutherland
  • “The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy” by Chris Bailey

 

Freelancing is a wonderful thing, but it comes with unique challenges, particularly around time management. You and you alone are responsible for starting on time, getting work done, putting in the hours, and getting paid. That makes time management all the more important for those who work at home. Don’t waste any more time. Put these time management tips into practice right now and see how much more productive you are this week. Start with a list of your biggest time-wasters and go after them with some or all of the tips described above and see what a difference it makes.

How To Speed Up Your Transcription Turnaround Time (TAT)

/28 Comments/in , /by Karla Ellison

Turnaround time (TAT) is a big deal for transcriptionists. The more you can increase your transcription speed, the more you can make as a freelance transcriptionist. Quick turnaround times also make you more attractive to employers and clients.

But, how can you work faster?

One of the more common myths about transcription turnaround times is that typing speed is the biggest factor in how fast you transcribe. Sure, being a hunt and peck typist isn’t going to help you. And it seems logical to say that a speedy typist should automatically be capable of a shorter transcription TAT.

But it’s not the case.

Why?

Because most online transcription jobs require far more than just typing. They also involve listening, research, comprehension, mind reading (wait, was that my outside voice?) and the ability to handle all of those things at once without missing a beat.

According to TypingPal, the average typing speed is 40 wpm. This would translate to roughly 4-8 time the length of the recording, depending on various factors.

So, let’s take a look at six real factors that might affect your transcription job turnaround speed. First, we’ll touch on factors that are important to understand, but outside your control. Then we’ll look at what you can actually do to improve your transcript turnaround time.

 

6 turnaround time factors outside your control

1) The number of speakers

A one-speaker file is generally easier to transcribe than one with many participants. Having said that, there are always exceptions. For instance, if someone is speaking fast, has a heavy accent and is discussing highly technical terminology, you’ll spend longer transcribing the document.

2) The audio quality

Obviously, subpar audio quality requires continual rewinding and re-listening to understand what is being said. The better the audio quality, the better shot you’ll have at a shorter transcription turnaround time.

3) How fast the speakers are talking

This is another one of those factors that’s outside your control that you might not have considered. You can’t control how quickly people speak. Consider the difference between a slow, clear speaker who takes long pauses versus an auctioneer. Guess which one will be faster for you to transcribe?

And fast isn’t always better. Consider the case of Coach Bobby Bowden who was called “the toughest man to transcribe in all of sports.” He spoke at 350 words per minute. Yikes!

4) The time it takes to proof a transcript

Checking for accuracy is a must. Many transcriptionists proof as they go and then do a final once-over to catch anything they might have missed.

Others proof to audio, meaning they listen through an entire file a second (or third) time while looking over their completed transcript to weed out any remaining errors.

Either way, proofing takes time and has to be figured into your overall turnaround ratio.

And make sure your headphones aren’t making proofing more difficult than necessary.

5) The amount of research required

No matter what type of transcription job you have, some degree of research will always be necessary.

If you’re working with highly technical material and have to stop every other word to look up unfamiliar terminology, that 10-minute file might well take you over an hour to complete—regardless of your experience.

Familiarity is the key to efficiency, so if you run into many of the same terms and phrases repeatedly in your online transcription job (as is often the case with insurance transcription), consider yourself lucky. You’ll be in an excellent position to create shortcuts and enhance your productivity.

6) The transcription style

Think about the different types of transcription styles out there—clean-read verbatim versus verbatim versus non-verbatim…and the list goes on.

It might seem that having to capture every utterance or sound would be more time consuming than being able to breeze along and leave those things out of the transcript. But, that’s not always the case. Creating a clean-read transcript from audio that is chock-full of false starts and tangents can be arduous as well, creating a drag on your transcript turnaround time.

Yes, there are many factors in your transcription job that are simply outside your control when you receive an audio file, but the good news is that there ARE steps you can take to improve your turnaround time.

 

3 Ways to speed up your turnaround time

1) Use transcription productivity tools to increase your output

One of the simplest ways to improve at your online transcription job is by utilizing Word’s AutoCorrect or Macro features. Word expander software such as Instant Text or Shorthand can also greatly increase your productivity and reduce your turnaround time. And a foot pedal is a must-have.

2) Practice with dialects and accents

There are many dialects and accents out there. If you’re not personally familiar with them, it’s hard to know if you’re hearing what you think you’re hearing. Ear training comes with practice. But, in the meantime, it can slow you down.

The International Dialects of English Archive (IDEA) website has an extensive, freely-accessible database of audio and corresponding transcripts, covering English-language dialects and accents as heard around the world. Here you’ll find a huge inventory of audio categorized by a person’s original language. You can listen to the speaker audio while viewing the transcribed text. Practicing here can help you improve your ear—and your transcript turnaround time.

3) Improve your office ergonomics

Your neck and shoulders ache, you have an eyestrain migraine, and your wrists zing every time you strike a key on that keyboard. Needless to say, if your setup isn’t ergonomically sound and you’re feeling discomfort, you might find it hard to be productive and efficient.

If you’re interested in making ergonomic improvements to your workspace setup, check out our post about transcriptionist ergonomics for work-from-home transcriptionists.

One more bonus tip—don’t give up!

When I was first starting out as a transcriptionist, I was extremely fortunate to have a wonderful professional mentor whose wise words I’ve never forgotten. I experienced a very rough first day at my transcription job in which my turnaround time was way too embarrassing to divulge here.

I felt like I was never going to be able to do this transcription thing!

She told me that even very experienced transcriptionists, when faced with a new job, account, or type of transcription, felt just like I did that day—as if they’re starting all over. She explained that it came with the territory, that the speed and efficiency would come with familiarity and time, and that there would always be days like this. But there would also be much, much better days.

In that moment, instead of feeling inadequate and awful, I felt hopeful. She was right. And her advice still holds true to this day.

 

So, what TAT should you aim for?

Shoot for a 4:1 or 3:1 transcript turnaround time

There is no hard and fast rule for how long any given unit of audio will take a transcriptionist to complete. Many transcriptionists, myself included, shoot for a 4:1 or 3:1 TAT, finishing an hour of audio in three to four hours. But that’s an average—sometimes you’ll have files you can complete in less time, and sometimes, you’ll just have one of those days. Just remember, the more experience you gain, the more efficient you’ll become overall.

So let’s hear from you now. What’s your average transcript turnaround time?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: What All Transcriptionists Need to Know

/1 Comment/in , /by Allegis

Is transcription a “high risk” profession? Most would say no, of course not. Yet, this kind of work carries a considerable—and often overlooked—health risk.  Anyone who types on a keyboard for many hours each day, over a long period, is at risk for (if not already suffering with) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

In fact, CTS is a surprisingly common problem—perhaps more common than you might imagine. It is among the most common conditions that afflict the nerves of the hand. A 2014 study by American Family Physician estimated that from 3% to 6% of adults in the general population suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The numbers are higher among women, with almost 5% of women being afflicted and only about 3% of men.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

CTS is a chronic condition in the wrists, hands, and fingers which is characterized by these common symptoms:

  • Numbness in the hands or fingers
  • Tingling sensation in the hands or fingers
  • Weakness and the tendency to lose your grip on or drop objects
  • Pain in the hands that often worsens at night

What causes CTS?

It’s important to understand what causes CTS so you can avoid developing it in the first place. Unwanted downtime due to an injury is the last thing you want in an online transcription job where every hour counts.

Pressure on the “median nerve” in your hand causes CTS symptoms. This nerve travels from your forearm to your hand by passing through an opening in your wrist joint called the “carpal tunnel.” Your median nerve shares this space with several tendons and ligaments that control the movement of your hand. There isn’t much room in the carpal tunnel and anything that crowds the space, such as any swelling of the tendons, will place pressure on the median nerve. It is this pressure on the nerve that produces the symptoms of CTS.

These symptoms often occur at night, while your hands are at rest.  Symptoms are often felt in the forefinger and/or thumb. One telling sign of CTS is if you feel pain in all your fingers except for your little finger because a different nerve controls the sensation in that finger. When you move or shake your hand, you might feel relief of the symptoms, but in CTS, this is only temporary, as the movement stimulates and “wakes up” the nerve. If this occurs, take it as a sign that you may indeed have CTS.

If you don’t address your CTS, the symptoms can continue to worsen and become chronic. CTS is a nerve-related affliction, so it is important to note that there are always some preceding issues; something that puts pressure on the nerve in the first place. Before having CTS, you may have pain or inflammation that comes from fatigue, another illness, or simply wear and tear from all the typing you do. Your discomfort may not be CTS, but you should take it as a sign to see your doctor.

What can happen if CTS goes untreated?

The good news is that CTS can be treated. However, if you don’t address CTS, it can cause permanent damage to the median nerve.  This could result in permanent loss of some function in your hand and threaten your ability to produce an income as a freelance transcriptionist.

In acute cases, there are surgical procedures that can help, but at a minimum, this option will keep you out of work for a significant period.

I don’t have any symptoms. Am I still at risk?

Your biggest potential risk factor, of course, is your job as a transcriptionist! If you do a large volume of typing, this puts you at risk for even simple afflictions like tendonitis, which is a swelling of the forearm tendons from fatigue. This swelling, as described above, can lead to CTS.

But there are additional risk factors as well. If any of these pertain to you as a freelance transcriptionist, your risk could be greater than the general population:

  • Previous wrist injury (e.g. fracture or dislocation)
  • Gender/age: females 40 to 60 years of age
  • Conditions causing fluid retention (such as pregnancy)
  • Inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Other illnesses such as thyroid disorders and kidney failure

What steps should you take to prevent CTS?

There are several “best practices” you can follow to minimize your risk. Much of what we recommend relates to having proper posture and position while you type, so make sure to read our “geared up for transcription” blogs to learn about equipment that helps you get (and stay) in the healthiest position for typing.

Follow these tips to prevent and/or minimize the risk of CTS:

  • Maintain proper posture and arm position. Good posture keeps your shoulders relaxed, which helps to keep muscles and tendons in your arms relaxed.
  • Keep your wrists at a neutral angle. When typing, your wrists should be bent at no more than a 4-degree angle.
  • When holding objects, use your whole hand (not just your fingers). In other words, don’t work your fingers too hard.
  • Do stretching exercises for your hands and wrists. WebMD has some good ones here.
  • Keep your hands warm—lower temperature can contribute to stiffness of the muscles and tendons.
  • If possible, switch hands for repetitive hand movements.
  • Mind your general health: Exercise and eat right.

What should I do if I have symptoms?

Having some symptoms does not mean you have CTS.  Although, in general, most of the symptoms we discussed are the result of stress or fatigue. It’s a good idea to follow these simple steps to provide relief from any pain or numbness you may be experiencing.

  • Take frequent breaks
  • Ice your wrists for 10 to 15 minutes, and do it several times a day if you can.
  • Try taking non-steroidal, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce any swelling.
  • Wear a wrist splint at night and while sleeping to minimize movement.

Note: None of the steps described above should be considered as an alternative to seeking the advice of a physician. If you are experiencing chronic discomfort and symptoms are getting worse, you should consult your doctor.

As a final note, while we hope this information is helpful to the online transcriptionist community, at the same time it is our sincere wish that you never need to use it. Stay healthy!

We would love your feedback: Do you suffer from CTS? And if not, do you take steps to avoid it? What other challenges do you encounter in your freelance transcription job?

Work at Home Transcription Jobs: How to Create a Successful Work Environment

/18 Comments/in , /by Allegis

With advances in technology and social media today, freelancing and work-from-home opportunities are available to more people than ever before. This applies especially to transcription work. The advantages can’t be denied. Independence, a more comfortable, low-stress work environment, and flexible work hours that may not be available with traditional work arrangements.

There are a few things you need to work at home successfully. You need to create a comfortable and well-equipped home office or work area to do your best work. Freelance transcription jobs require a dedicated space for a computer, to plan work schedules, and to perform transcription work. You need to approach your home work space with comfort, productivity, functionality, and flexibility in mind.

You can spend as much or as little on your home office setup as you want to, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a comfortable and supportive space for your work. Think about how your ideal work space would look and feel if you were to work in an office every day.

Here are some tips for preparing a home office that meets your business needs when you will be doing freelance transcription.

Find a Dedicated Space

At home transcription jobs require listening and concentration to be able to do a good job, so a dedicated work space is essential.  Look for a clear area without clutter where you can close the door to prevent background noise and interruptions. Noise can be a real problem when you do transcription work at home, so choose an area where you can minimize background noise.

If you have an extra room you can use just for your transcription work space, that’s ideal. A separate, dedicated area of the home used solely for work purposes might even qualify you for a home office tax deduction. If an extra room isn’t an option, consider converting part of a den or a basement that doesn’t get a lot of use into your workspace.

Furniture

If you’ve done any kind of work at a desk for more than a few hours at a stretch, you know that your chair can become your best friend or your worst enemy. There are documented risks of sitting for long periods of time, and the popular media reports that “sitting is the new smoking.”  The Mayo Clinic recommends offsetting sedentary work any way possible. A standing desk is an ideal option for many office workers, but unfortunately won’t work for transcriptionists. This means it’s especially important for transcriptionists to get as much time out of the chair during the work week as possible. Make it a point to get up and move around every 30 minutes or after every two transcripts, for example.

Your office chair is an incredibly important piece of furniture for work-at-home jobs. Get the most comfortable chair you can find and afford; it’s worth every penny. Make sure it provides good lower back support as well. You may be tempted to skimp, but if you experience any back pain or leg or neck cramps, your chair is probably the culprit. Chiropractor Rodney Lefler says to look for a chair with height adjustment so your feet can be flat on the floor. He recommends a 17 to 20 inch wide seat, adjustable lumbar support and back rest, and a well-padded seat.

The Right Lighting

The right location and the proper furniture are both key components of comfortable, productive home work spaces. But lighting is critical to doing great transcription work and preventing eye strain. Don’t try to work in a dark corner of the house and expect to do your best work. Straining to see in dim light, looking at digital screens, and reading without pausing to rest your eyes are all described by the Mayo Clinic as causes of eye strain.

If possible, set up your work space near a window to get natural light. Natural lighting is always a good source of energy and will keep you positive and productive while working. It will save you money on electricity too.

If natural light is not an option, make sure you have bright overhead light so you can see well. If you can afford it, use full spectrum lighting for your work space. It reduces eye strain, gives better color perception, and mimics natural light so it may have a positive effect on how you feel. You might even consider getting a small therapeutic lamp like this one from Sphere Gadget Technologies. It’s great for relieving the winter blues when many (especially out here in the Northwest) are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Organization and Decoration

Physical comfort and location are primary concerns for home work space setup. But a close second is organization and decoration. Hopefully, you are not stuck in a cramped corner of your home with inappropriate furniture and a blank wall. This will affect you negatively, both in mindset and ability to do your best work comfortably and easily.

Once you have a dedicated work space with accommodating furniture and lighting, think about how you will organize your work and decorate your space. What colors do you want around you? Color affects your mood and productivity level. Blue can encourage productivity and green offers a sense of balance (seriously, it CAN make a difference. Read more about it here). Consider painting your workspace area.

Where do you want to put your equipment and accessories like calendar, planning notebook, phone, computer, and pens? Do you have any favorite artwork that you’d like in your space? Houseplants? Family photos? Think about the things that are most important to have around you while you work and arrange them within sight but not in the way of the work you will do.