Did you know that coloring can actually help you improve your transcription skills? It’s true! Transcriptionists don’t need to limit creative tasks to coloring specifically. Any creative outlet will be beneficial. I’ve just decided to focus on coloring for this article because I recently created some transcription-themed coloring pages that I’m excited to share with you! Keep reading to learn about the benefits and download free coloring pages below.
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Table of Contents
Why Transcriptionists Need to Color
There are several benefits that transcriptionists can gain from coloring and these benefits are backed by science and research.
Coloring increases creative thinking. A 2017 study found that scheduling breaks and switching tasks at least every two hours increased creative thinking. Transcribing meeting minutes or a clean verbatim file sometimes requires creative wordsmithing, especially when speakers use the wrong words or speak in incomplete sentences. Hone your creative thinking skills by coloring so you’ll be better equipped to take on clients who request a grammatically correct yet accurate account of what was said.
Coloring helps you see multiple perspectives. Research shows that creative activities like coloring enhance divergent thinking. This is valuable to transcriptionists for several reasons. Understanding where another person is coming from will help transcription company owners negotiate contracts, hire qualified freelancers, and train new transcriptionists.
Coloring relieves physical tension. Sitting at a desk wearing headphones and typing requires a specific posture in order to avoid physical injuries. Seasoned transcriptionists know that even the best ergonomic position can get uncomfortable after a while. However, coloring and other creative tasks allow transcriptionists to change the way they sit, stand, and move, which reduces discomfort that can be distracting while transcribing.
Types of Coloring Pages and Books
- Patterns and Designs – Coloring geometric shapes, Mandalas, and other patterns can be mindless and easy. These books provide transcriptionists with a great way to zone out and serve almost as a form of meditation. In my opinion, patterns are the most relaxing to color.
- Topics and Subjects – If you have a particular hobby or interest, there’s probably an adult coloring book on the same topic. If you love dogs, for example, there is no short supply of dog coloring books for adults. If you need a bit of humor in your life, there are books with sarcastic phrases, swear words, and animals doing ornery things. It can be incredibly refreshing to switch from transcribing really difficult audio to coloring a page filled with a beautiful floral pattern and the words “I Don’t Get Paid Enough.”
- Themed – Themes for adult coloring books are endless. You can find books on specific holidays or religions, books aimed to calm or inspire you, and even books that teach you something new. For transcriptionists, themes include vintage typewriters, working from home, and home office design.
Transcription-Themed Coloring Pages and Books
I’ve not been able to find any transcription-themed coloring books, so I made one! Since this is the first time I’ve ever made I coloring book, I decided to keep it simple. The book is called The ABCs of Transcription, which features transcription industry terms on top of a variety of beautiful backgrounds. Try it out; download these free coloring pages taken straight from my book.
However, once you realize the benefits that coloring has on your transcription work, I’m sure you’ll want to purchase the entire book!
For now, I’ve published the book as a PDF download so you can print the pages you want to color when you want to color them. I will be publishing a paperback version soon. I’ll announce on Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and via email when the paperback is ready. I’m also working on transcription-themed activity pages. Let me know what you would like to see in my next book by commenting below.
