Get an Instant Word Count
The Problem:
I'm not paid by the word (though I'd love to be), but I use the Word Count feature to track my progress. The problem is, I'm getting bored with choosing Tools 
Word Count to open the Word Count dialog box each time I want to check.
The Solution:
All you need do is display the Word Count toolbar (see Figure 3-20): go to View Toolbars or right-click any displayed toolbar and click the Word Count item. To force a recount, press Alt+C or click the Recount button.
Figure 3-20. Keep the Word Count toolbar openor copy its controls to the menu bar or a toolbarso that you can quickly see how many words your document contains.
Tip: If you don't want to waste space by leaving the Word Count toolbar open, Ctrl+Alt-drag its controls to the menu bar (if there's space) or another toolbar that you keep open all the time. When you close the document or exit Word, save your changes to the template if Word prompts you to do so.