Let’s
play a little truth or dare, certification style.
TRUTH: Do
you think you cannot afford to buy all the books to
study for the exam and then pay the examination fee
to be certified?
DARE: We
dare you to ask. Ask your firm if they would
pay for the books or pay for the exam fee or reimburse
you for the exam fee once you pass. Ask your
local chapter or state association if their scholarship
funds will cover certification exams. If they
do not, ask if the scholarship guidelines can be changed. Be
creative. Ask and keep asking.
TRUTH: Do
you think you do not have time to study with your children’s
activities, community activities, work, etc.?
DARE: We
dare you to keep track. For just one week, keep
track of how much time you spend watching TV, how much
time you waste waiting for your children when you drop
them off or pick them up from activities, how much
time you sit in a car, in a bus, or in a room just
waiting. We dare you to carry one of the study
resources for an exam with you to read while you are
waiting or to read and work on mock exams instead of
watching TV.
TRUTH: Do
you think you know enough already without certification
because you have been doing this so long, have a degree,
attend seminars, and read articles in @ Law?
DARE: We
dare you to take a mock exam. Find out for sure
just how much there is out there that you do not know
that could help you every day. Find out how many
things you know a little bit about that you could know
better. Find out how much more there is to know
about things you do not touch every day, but could
use your resources to find. Find out how smart
you really are. Find out that it is not quite
as scary as you think it is.
TRUTH: Do
you think it will not make a difference whether or
not you are certified because your employer doesn’t
care, your husband doesn’t care, and your mom
doesn’t care?
DARE: We
dare you to talk. Talk to certified NALS members
about the difference being certified has made to them
and to their career. Then talk to your employer,
your HR department, your husband, your mom, whoever
else you need to talk to to get up the courage and
the support to study and pass a certification exam.
It
is possible to overcome your “truths” if
you will accept our “dares.” Go ahead
and try it. We dare you!
