Efficiency in Your Everyday Life: Discover the Power of Shorthand

Efficiency in Your Everyday Life: Discover the Power of Shorthand
Picture of Tommy T.
Tommy T.

Scalp Micropigmentation Practitioner
Buffalo, NY

5 mins read

At Elegant SMP, we pledge ourselves to the mission of transforming lives through the power of scalp micropigmentation. Yet, our aspirations don’t end there. We avidly inspire people to master skills that make their lives more enjoyable and efficient. Today, let’s unravel the secrets of an incredibly efficient skill often sidelined – shorthand. Less than 1% of the world knows of this skill.

Shorthand – a time-tested writing system that facilitates rapid, efficient note-taking by using symbols in place of sounds, words, or phrase. Though perceived as old-school in the face of emerging tech trends, learning shorthand can provide you with a competitive lead in several fields. To answer why learn shorthand when already charging through a fast-paced world – it’s to match the pace and make haste.

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Efficiency in Your Everyday Life: Discover the Power of Shorthand

Privacy

Taking notes or keeping a journal in shorthand offers an incredible level of privacy. In a world where less than 1% of the population knows any form of shorthand, you essentially have a secret language at your fingertips. By jotting down your thoughts, ideas, reminders, and information in shorthand, you’re creating an invisible vault that few people can access or understand. This can be incredibly satisfying and liberating, particularly if you cherish your personal privacy. The benefit isn’t just about secrecy – it’s about the peace of mind knowing that your note, whether a personal reflection or a valuable brainstorm, will remain indecipherable unless someone knows the cryptic language of shorthand.

Mystique

What makes using shorthand even cooler, is the mystique that surrounds it. Writing in shorthand is like playing a role in a spy movie or being a member of a secret society. It carries an aura of intrigue and sophistication, making an otherwise ordinary activity feel special. Furthermore, it adds an extra layer of security to your notes. In the odd chance that someone stumbles upon them, they would probably dismiss it, wary of embarrassing themselves by trying to decrypt the inscrutable symbols. Hardly anyone will risk appearing foolish while attempting to interpret it. So, your secrets, your revelations, and your brilliant ideas remain exclusively yours, safely stored in lines of coded shorthand.

Shorthand Writing Systems: A Comparative Analysis

Before we explore the benefits of shorthand, let’s understand the four popular shorthand systems a bit better: Pittman, Gregg, Forkner, and Teeline.

Shorthand System Symbol Count Speed (Words per Minute) Level of Difficulty Time to Master
Pittman 700 200 High 1-2 years
Gregg 700 200 Medium to High 1 year
Forkner 140 100-150 Low to Medium 6 months
Teeline 36 150 Medium 3-6 months

Pittman and Gregg

Pittman and Gregg are two powerful English shorthand systems that enable one to write as fast as 200 words per minute. Originating in the 19th century, these intricate systems come equipped with a vast set of around 700 symbols. The learning curve is steep and mastering them might take around 1 to 2 years, but the payoffs in terms of speed are nothing short of impressive.

Teeline

Teeline, meanwhile, is significantly simpler. Presenting the lowest symbol count of 36, one can reach a speed of around 150 words per minute after diligent practice over 3-6 months. Introduced in the 1960s, this method trims unneeded loops and strokes, making it faster to write and easier to learn, notwithstanding a challenging mastering phase. This shorthand is popular amongst journalists.

Forkner

Now enters my personal favorite – Forkner Shorthand. Offering a formidable speed of 100-150 words per minute and an economical symbol count of only 140, this method dates back to the late 20th century. Herein lies its charm – a striking simplicity that mirrors longhand cursive, that one could master within 6 months.

Despite the lack of extensive learning material, Forkner’s Shorthand triumphs in its intuitive approach to faster note-taking, driving you further ahead in your professional endeavors.

The Wonders of Shorthand Speed

A person writes about 22-31 words per minute by hand on average, this jumps to 38-40 words per minute when typing. That might seem sufficient for routine tasks, but what during a critical lecture, an important meeting, or an interview where every word could be consequential?

Here enters the superhero of quick note-taking – Shorthand. With the capacity to capture 100+ words per minute, shorthand not only enhances your writing speed but also hones your listening skills, amplifies your retention ability, and heightens your concentration power.

Linking Shorthand to Efficiency

How does learning shorthand render you more efficient? Picture attending a seminar where important points are being thrown at a speed faster than you can jot. If you were armed with any of the above shorthand methods, you could capture all key information without exhausting your energies in keeping pace.

Mastering this skill, be it Forkner or any other of your choice, reveals a heightened potential of your subconscious you never knew existed. Learning shorthand isn't merely about racing with time, it's more about training your mind to process bulk information efficiently, and rapidly.

Takeaway

In a world focused on speed and efficiency, don’t allow your note-taking skills to be left behind. Whether you’re a student, a journalist, a researcher, or a working professional, mastering shorthand can revolutionize how you record, retain, and use information. 

To quote Benjamin Franklin, 

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” 

Echoing his words at Elegant SMP, we wholeheartedly agree, be it enhancing your hairline or your note-taking skills!

Elevate your speed of efficiency with shorthand. It’s a step towards arming oneself with the critical skills needed for a complex world, the investment is worth it so you can have more time to do whatever you want to do.

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About Us:

Elegant Scalp Micropigmentation was founded in Buffalo, NY with the goal of providing clients with a compassionate and understanding atmosphere for their hair loss troubles. We’ve been through it ourselves and at Elegant SMP, are devoted to providing our customers with the knowledge and confidence they need to make a well-informed decision about their SMP treatment plan. 

We are excited to offer our premium SMP services that will unveil a more authentic version of yourself. Our continued dedication to perfecting this craft aims to help our clients rediscover their confidence and be able to enjoy a renewed sense of self.

What our customers are saying

Matt T.
Matt T.
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Elegant SMP is the place to get your scalp micropigmentation if you are interested in quality technique. Not all SMP is the same and your practitioner's training really does matter. For me, understanding how my artist could achieve an authentic looking hairline was very important, and very few SMP artists have the training to achieve that. Tommy at Elegant SMP is a true professional who understands how to get a natural looking result that is difficult to replicate - which is a true testament to his training. My SMP results exceeded my expectations and I would recommend Elegant SMP to anyone who is interested in getting the highest quality work the first time, or repairing SMP work that missed the mark.
Jason V.
Jason V.
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I knew from the consultation with Tommy that he was a genuinely good guy. Their professionalism is top-notch and the work he does is amazing! I can't stop looking at my hairline and just how natural it looks. I'm 100 % satisfied with the results and highly recommend his services!
Eric B.
Eric B.
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I just finished my third session with Tommy over at elegant smp. He did a great job and was extremely professional. His attention to detail was amazing giving me the desired look I was going for. I would highly recommend his services for anyone looking to have this procedure done. Everything about the experience was pleasant and stress free.
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