If you are working harder than you think you should, then it is time to improve your skills. Improving your skills and learning new tricks will save time and energy. Taking dictation is one of a secretary's basic skills. Make sure that you bring everything necessary with you at the beginning of each day. Have well sharpened pencils and a pen in good working condition. A medium soft pencil is the best for shorthand, but most secretaries prefer a pen. A competent secretary keeps her dictation tool (shorthand notebook, pen or pencils) in a convenient place in her desk so that she can take dictation without any delay. 


      Write the date at the top of the page before dictation starts. Sit quietly, facing the speaker. It is easier to hear the person talking if you face him. If you take dictation from more than one person, it is easier to keep a separate notebook for each -- with his or her name in large letters on the cover.