Five top tips for excellence in translation.

1)   Google as much as possible: don’t focus merely on the linguistic aspect, but also verify the content of the text. The client will be delighted to know you’ve actually done your research. Don’t hesitate to point out errors or question the information provided. A good translator takes his time to immerse himself in the subject. Needless to say you should always be subtle when informing the client of inconsistencies. After all, no one likes to be corrected and criticised.

2)   Ask a second translator to proofread your text. I know it may sound time-consuming and it may require additional (financial) resources, but in the long run it pays to have someone – preferably a translator – proofread your texts, at least when you’re dealing with large volumes. Remember that unfortunately very few translation agencies actually proofread all translations, so errors can end up costing you dearly.

3)   Take your time. Sure, the more translations you accept, the more money you make, but don’t overdo it. Ideally, you should finish a translation, close the document and re-read it after half an hour or so (or better even, the following morning). I guarantee you'll find typos and discrepancies you missed the first time around.

4)   Build up a network of translator friends and enlist their help whenever you need it. The world of translation is a tough sector where everyone wants a slice of the cake, but translators do realise they sometimes need each other’s help. Set your pride aside and just ask. Social media – Twitter in particular – has opened up so many possibilities, all just a click away!

5)   Your job is done once you’ve sent your work to the client, unless there are complaints and/or queries on his part. Don’t forget that your way of communicating with the client is just as important as the translation itself. Don’t just write “Here you go”. Show that you’ve put some effort into writing your e-mail. A brief, sloppy message doesn’t leave a good impression.

And of course, be passionate about what you do. I can’t stress this enough. If your heart is not in it, the quality of your work will be affected, so don't accept any assignments just for the sake of it. If you're not good at translating contracts, don't even bother. Focus on your field of expertise.

Au boulot!

How to find professional happiness

First off, I’d like to point out that I don't believe any job can truly become a dream job. A job is a job. You need it to survive. Full stop. I have my doubts when people claim they managed to turn their hobby into their dream job. The moment your hobby becomes your work, you’re faced with the harrowing task of making a living out of what used to be your escape, a moment for yourself. A hobby is by definition something you can enjoy whenever you like, no strings attached. Even if it’s a sport that requires training, discipline and commitment, you’re still free to give up. Your mortgage doesn’t depend on it. The sooner you accept this, the better. 

I think I’ve found the job for me. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect, but it suits me. I manage to get through the day without counting down the minutes. I see challenges and opportunities. And more importantly, I’m good at my job. I’m a very humble person, but in my opinion there’s no harm in saying that you’re good at what you do. Otherwise what’s the point of doing it?

How to pursue professional happiness:

1)   Set high standards for your work. Don’t accept so-so. Make an effort to give it all you’ve got.

2)   Don’t let ambition blind you. There’s no point in working solely towards future goals. Focus on what you’ve got on your plate right now and give it your all. Remember that future successes depend on current performance.

3)   Don’t compare your work with that of others. Maybe your colleagues are better at project management than you are… See it as an opportunity. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can learn from them and they can learn from you.

4)   Work is work. No need to take it home with you. Easier said than done, but do try to make a clear distinction between your professional and your private life. Clear your head after hours. Taking a step back will take you two steps forward!

5)   Happiness at home comes first. If you’re unhappy privately, you’re bound to be counterproductive professionally.

6)   Be realistic. There are going to be bad days. You will make mistakes. You will be judged and criticised. And when that happens, just take a deep breath, shrug it off and start over. Slamming doors gets you nowhere.

7)   Friendship between colleagues is optional. Your job calls for teamwork, but you can’t stand the sight of them? Clench your teeth, have a double espresso and just get the work done. Forget friendly chats. Have your after-work drinks with a different crowd.

8)   Set clear boundaries. If there’s something you refuse to do, make it clear from the start. That way, you’ll avoid confrontations at a later stage. It takes guts to do this, but it shows you’re determined to play by your rules in order to succeed.

9)   Accept recognition. Don’t be one of those people who respond to a compliment by returning the compliment. If you excel at something, you’re allowed to feel good about it. No need to become arrogant, but a little pat on the back can go a long way.

10) Finally, a reminder: the perfect job doesn’t exist. Don’t waste your life looking for it. Just try to bag a job you enjoy (not easy in these hard times, I’m aware of that) and remember frustrations are part of it. Whenever there is money involved, you can expect some pain and suffering. But that only makes you stronger.

And last but not least: as contradictory as it may sound, tell yourself work is not everything. It’s important, essential even, but work doesn’t define who you are. It merely keeps you busy while trying to figure it out!

POWER NAPPING: SOME HANDY TIPS

Power napping is an art. And art can be viewed in many different ways. Therefore I don’t blame you if you think this is utter rubbish. To each his own.

Personally I believe power napping has helped me a lot over the past year or so. I feel a short nap in the middle of the day increases my productivity. Particularly when I manage to reach the REM stage, which can be difficult in such a short timespan. Still, my brain shuts off for a while because the atmosphere in my house changes (I close the blinds, switch off the sound on my laptop and my mobile, and I snuggle up on the sofa). Also remember that while you sleep, you give your muscles a chance to relax, which can relieve tension headaches fairly quickly (believe it or not, I’ve cut down on the Syndol!). In a nutshell, power naps have improved my quality of life and dare I say, also the quality of my work.

It all started when I was browsing some random website about corporate culture in Japan, where power napping is not frowned upon. On the contrary, companies even create special “napping nooks” for their staff or they allow workers to sleep at their desks. How cool is that?! So I thought, “OK, my lunch break’s coming up. Let’s give this a try.” I was instantly hooked.

The first time I tried it, I was lucky I think, because I was so exhausted that I instantly fell asleep. The following day it proved to be a little harder. Your body has to get used to falling asleep quickly and waking up soon after. After all, a power nap typically lasts about twenty minutes. On average, depending on how busy I am of course, I have power naps twice a week, during my lunch break. These are my tips (as in yesterday’s post, I’d like to point out that I’m not a health professional, these are just my personal guidelines, I can’t guarantee they’ll work for you):

1)   Drink coffee – it sounds contradictory, but caffeine kicks in after twenty minutes, so by the time you wake up, the caffeine will have given you a bit of a boost.

2)   Don’t power nap in bed. You associate your bed(room) with deep sleep, so it’s better to choose a different location: try having a nap on the sofa or on an armchair in the living room, or why not, even at your desk.

3)   Darkness and silence are key – eliminate all potential distractions: light of course, but also phones, computers, even ticking clocks can stimulate your alertness.

4)   Remove your watch – set your alarm clock, but remove your watch. Make sure you can’t check the time, because if you do, I guarantee you’ll start counting the minutes and your brain will just respond by thinking “Never mind, it’s not worth it anymore”.

5)   Relaxing music can help, or even a white noise machine. Any repetitive soothing sound (cat purring, air conditioning, air purifier etc.) can induce sleep.

6)   Incense or aromatherapy candles (careful not to burn the house down though! I don’t personally leave candles on while I’m asleep…) can set the right mood. Vanilla is a classic, but any pleasant scent will do. Why not vary according to the seasons? Cinnamon in winter. Rose in spring. Citrus in summer. And I’m not sure about autumn; it’s like the odd one out, isn’t it?

7)   Don’t give up.  It might take weeks or even months for you to get used to this new way of working, but once you’re comfortable with it, you’ll see results fast!

Power to the people (who power nap)!