HOW TO BE A HAPPIER TRANSLATOR
According to the boffins at Berkeley, happiness is good for our health. It has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, strengthen the immune system, help combat stress, reduce aches and pains, combat disease and even lengthen our lives. With so much to gain, finding a job that makes you happy has never been more important. Remaining happy once on that career path is also essential.
In light of this, we’ve provided some top tips on how to be a happier translator, so that you can make the most of providing professional translation services and enjoy reaping the multiple health benefits of doing so.
GET ON TOP OF YOUR FINANCES
Money doesn’t buy happiness, but a disorganised approach to managing your money can certainly result in unhappiness. Whether you translate for your main income or just for a little extra pocket money now and again, it’s best to have an efficient system in place for managing your translation income. That means a dedicated bank account for income and expenses relating to your translation work, to avoid any confusion when it comes to producing your annual accounts and/or tax returns. A little effort invested in setting up a bank account can save a great deal of heartache at year end.
The same applies to your invoicing system. A small investment in professional invoicing software can help you avoid the headaches associated with issuing bills and tracking payments.
For those who translate full-time, engaging an accountant to deal with the financial side of the operation can be a great way to achieve peace of mind and become a happier translator.
SPREAD THE JOY
There is a Finnish proverb that states, “Even a small star shines in darkness.” Spreading joy to others can result in a boost in your own happiness. Doing so doesn’t have to be a big deal – just remember to smile before you answer the phone and take the time to get to know your regular clients and ask how they are in a meaningful way. Little niceties can add a small boost to the days of all those around you – and in turn they will be nicer back to you.
You could even go one step further and offer your clients a discount on translations over a certain size. The clients will be happy to get better value for money and you can use the exercise as a marketing activity.
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
Do you translate to live or live to translate? If you take the time to work out what you want from your career, you stand a much better chance of achieving it!
Professional translation is a well-established career for those who like to work freelance. As such, it offers an excellent degree of flexibility when it comes to the location from which you work, the hours you work and so forth. Moulding your working life to suit your individual preferences can result in a much happier work/life balance. If you’re not at your best in the mornings, you don’t have to start work until after lunch. If you hate wearing a suit and tie, work from home in your pyjamas! Provided you know how much you need to earn, and put systems in place to ensure you earn it, the rest is up to you.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Working for a charity or community organisation can provide a wonderful feeling of making a difference in the world. As a translator, you are well positioned to provide pro bono translation services to charities that do good work in more than one country. By translating their materials for free, you can save the charity money to spend on other things, as well as feeling fantastic about your contribution to society.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There are myriad other ways that you can make your life happier as a freelance translator. How does an afternoon nap sound? Or an hour’s jog in the sunshine each lunchtime? Think carefully about what could make you happier and give it a try. After all, if it doesn’t work, all you need to do is try something else!
How have you achieved happiness as a freelance translator? And what more do you plan to do to become even happier? Leave a comment to let your fellow translators know.