An organized steno bag is key to staying productive and reducing stress, according to panelists at the Ask Me Anything ZoomUp: What’s in Your Steno Bag? last week.
Pack smart, pack double
Moderator Meredith Bonn, RPR, CRR, NCRF Chair-Elect, led the discussion where panelists agreed that carrying duplicates of essential items is a lifesaver.
“Have two of everything: Chargers, laptops, even steno machines,” advised Ninette Butler, RMR, CRR, CRC. “It’s an extra expense, but you’ll thank me later.” Alan Peacock, FAPR, RDR, CRR, CRC, echoed this, emphasizing backup plans for travel. “I carry two mobile hotspots — one for AT&T, one for Verizon.”
Tech essentials and comfort must-haves
Suzanne Trimble, RPR, CRR, stressed the importance of reliable backups. “I always carry a hard drive and an electronics travel organizer. A portable monitor is a game changer.”
Tamara Chapman Maiello, RPR, CRR, prioritizes comfort and efficiency. “My travel bag has a heating pad, mechanical keyboard, two microphones, and three digital recorders. If you can’t hear, you’re not recording.” Chapman has a list with her tech must-haves, called Tamara’s Stuff. Carrying everything on her tech list lowers her stress levels, Chapman explained.
Cindi Lynch, Stenograph training program manager, swears by a power strip and a standing tripod. “Never count on an outlet being close.”
Other pro tips
Angie Podge, RSR, learned the value of a privacy screen early in her career. “A lawyer kept leaning over my shoulder. That ended with a privacy filter.” She also carries cough drops. “I always offer one.”
With the right setup, court reporters can stay prepared for anything. For the full slate of tips and tech tricks to be prepared, watch the full discussion.
March 25: Ask Me Anything about the Foundation
Join us Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern for an insightful, one-hour Ask Me Anythingduring which we’ll dive deep into the incredible work of the National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF) and answer your questions live!
Discover the full scope of the Foundation’s awards, scholarships, grants, educational programs, and community outreach efforts — like our important oral history initiatives.
For information about Ask Me Anything ZoomUps, contact Jill Parker Landsman at jlandsman@ncra.org.
Comments are closed.