Here's how you can maintain motivation and discipline as a freelance translator.

Maintaining motivation and discipline as a freelance translator can be challenging. I suggest using emotional self-discipline to get back on track with emotions, motivation and discipline in difficult situations. Always remember, somewhere inside, there is an inner voice which keeps you safe in your comfort zone and everywhere else. The invisible mind remembers errors from the past and helps you to prevent them from happening again. My Invisible Action Plan: ? Never act impulsively ? Draw attention to what your inner voice(s) are saying ? Reflect about everything of these voices ? Try to detach yourself from them and after a moment consider again how to address a challenging situation ? Be open to change In summary: always think twice!

Two tips for setting goals: Always set a personal ddl ahead of the task time ddl. Separate the long-period tasks into smaller ones.

One who does the job from the heart, has a genuine love and sense of language, possesses expertise over various fields, and is, of course, paid well (INR 3-4 per source word), should not face any problem keeping up motivation.

I've been in the business for 45 years as a full-time, self-employed translator. Most translators are females, working from home = with children and parental and marital duties. The only goal and motivation I can employ is guiding force of all translators, the everpresent at the back of traslator's head, THE DEADLINE. How I get to that point in time varies from an assignment to an assignment (difficulty of text, formatting, family situation, health issues, etc. are rarely predictable and feasible).

Une routine surtout relative au perfectionnement du travail qu'on exercice et qu'on veut peaufiner et parfaire de plus en plus chaque jour.

Never have a routine of translating millions of words a day. Be realistic and remember that you are not a translation machine, you are a human being.

Rotinas n?o funcionam para a maioria pessoas neurodivergentes. Querer for?ar horários rígidos a uma grande maioria das pessoas neurodivergentes é receita para um esgotamento garantido. O importante é n?o aceitar mais trabalho do que aguenta e que o trabalho esteja pronto a tempo e horas, o resto, os horários, os locais, etc... é o que funciona para cada pessoa.

The importance of setting a routine as freelance translators (and freelance remote workers in general) is never stressed enough. I'm not referring to planning your work week, but also – more importantly – to sticking to a good sleep routine, exercising weekly, decluttering your space regularly. As remote workers, we need to pay more attention to factors that other workers "automatically" consider – i.e., working only on designated hours, when possible. Our job is often unpredictable, and maybe that's one of the main reasons why we love it. However, adhering to a routine is crucial to our wellbeing and, therefore, the quality of our work. It reduces our stress, helping us to deal with the unexpected and last-minute requests. ????♀?

In my experience, the best time to translate is at night when telephones stop ringing, family is in their beds, and I ignore any emails and messages after 8 PM. When I occasionally consult my colleagues, a 1 AM, 2 AM consultation over the phone or an app is quite common. This profession does not have a rhythm - unless a translator works for a single client, such as a big corporation or a publishing house - or is single and lives alone... Otherwise, each new assignment is different and so is each client.

Call your peers, friends, wife, husband, family; text them or at least mail them. Do not isolate yourself from people completely. We are not machines, we are translators and that's our nature to stay connected with people.

Joining groups on social media to keep updated with the latest news and get connected with other industry experts may help with exploring more collaborative opportunities for your career.

One of the problems for freelancers is the work-life balance. Working from home once blurred the lines between working time and resting time, making me feel like working all day long with headaches and eyestrain. I think setting clear boundaries is very helpful. When working from home, establish distinct areas for work and relaxation. After work hours, try not to enter the designated work area.

Maintain integrity and neutrality: For example, as a court translator/interpreter, make sure you refuse to work on an offered case, if you are personally acquainted with either the defendant or claimant. Yes, you will refuse the money as a result, but you will boost your reputation.

Maintaining motivation and discipline as a freelance translator, particularly amid fluctuating incomes and seasonal variations, requires strategic financial planning and self-management. Establish a clear budget, setting aside funds during peak periods to cushion leaner times. Embrace continuous learning and skill development to diversify your expertise, making yourself more marketable across various specializations. Additionally, create a structured work routine and set achievable daily goals to stay focused. Building a strong professional network can also provide support, inspiration, and potential new opportunities during slower periods.