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Steno Question No. 5

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. Thomas Edison

THE SITUATION: Last semester was tough. You practiced hard, but the results weren't there. During the break, you didn't practice at all. You expected to have trouble in the first week back at school. Surprise, surprise!! You passed a test.

THE QUESTION: Why?

Oddly enough, some students can "show improvement" by not practicing. They haven't really improved, but it may appear that way. It is a false indication. So what happened?

You went on semester break. You ignored your machine. Your stress level went way down. That stabbing pain between your shoulder blades disappeared. And you passed a test.

If you want to continue passing tests, you need to work on the stress. Get rid of those stiff muscles. Exercise them, stretch them. Forget about tests. Focus on improving. Forget about tests. Focus on your writing. Forget about tests.

The sad fact of the matter is that you were a better writer before you took the break, but you never showed it. You were too affected by nerves. Then you went on break. You didn't practice. The stress subsided. When you came back to school, your abilities had gone down slightly, but your stress was at a very low level. You performed better with decreased abilities because the stress was not interfering.

What is going to happen to you in the weeks to come? Will the stress build up to its old level? Will you find a way to relax and still focus on your training?

Don't accept stress. Learn to beat it. You are a winner.