Poll: My work-life balance as a translator:
Autor da sequência: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
STAFF DO SÍTIO
Jun 2, 2024

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "My work-life balance as a translator:".

View the poll results »



 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 16:33
Membro (2007)
Inglês para Português
+ ...
Other Jun 2, 2024

It’s difficult for me to speak of balance when referring to freelance work. The reality is that I’m either flooded with work or I’ve nothing to do at all. Anyway, I am perfectly happy with my situation, work sometimes overrides everything else, but I enjoy it. I live alone, my children are grownups, I can do as I please…

Daniel Hall
ADIE Translations
Vincenzo Di Maso
 
Alex Lichanow
Alex Lichanow
Alemanha
Local time: 17:33
Inglês para Alemão
+ ...
Pretty OK Jun 3, 2024

When I was just starting out as a freelancer, I was also still working part-time in project management and my work-life balance was firmly on the horrible side.
Ever since I ditched employment and went 100% freelancer, this balance has largely stabilized - and funnily enough, I have found that the "9-to-5 grind" (more like 7-to-3 in my personal case) is what suits me ideally.


 
ADIE Translations
ADIE Translations
Alemanha
Local time: 17:33
Alemão para Inglês
+ ...
Agree with Maria Jun 3, 2024

I often find that I either have too much or nothing to translate, but this works out in the end. The last few months were very, very busy and I'm looking forward to some down time. However, I've been told that a book translation will be coming soon...

I do not want or have children and am fortunate enough to be able to structure my life as I want. I've always been meaning to go abroad for a couple of months and take my laptop - maybe this year is the year!

One annoying
... See more
I often find that I either have too much or nothing to translate, but this works out in the end. The last few months were very, very busy and I'm looking forward to some down time. However, I've been told that a book translation will be coming soon...

I do not want or have children and am fortunate enough to be able to structure my life as I want. I've always been meaning to go abroad for a couple of months and take my laptop - maybe this year is the year!

One annoying thing: I sometimes only find out that there's a holiday when I go out and see that the supermarkets are closed.
Collapse


 
Anton Konashenok
Anton Konashenok  Identity Verified
República Checa
Local time: 17:33
Francês para Inglês
+ ...
Other Jun 3, 2024

It varies, but my ranking of these variants is radically different from poll author's one. In my book:
- having no real schedule is great (I truly enjoy it);
- working all day long and weekends is so-so (tiring but at least it pays well);
- maintaining office working hours sucks (would never go for it).


Dan Lucas
IrinaN
Michele Fauble
Kay Denney
 
neilmac
neilmac
Espanha
Local time: 17:33
Espanhol para Inglês
+ ...
Other Jun 3, 2024

I enjoy my work as a translator. It's what I do. When I don't have any, I tend to get bored.

 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
França
Local time: 17:33
Francês para Inglês
. Jun 4, 2024

I do not have a real schedule, and it's great, not "so-so".

I work if I have to and I relax when I don't. This might mean working all weekend, then visiting museums and the pool and doing my shopping at times when there are not so many visitors (Monday morning is kinda quiet everywhere). I might stick more or less to an office schedule when I'm working on a big job, but I'll find time to slot fun things in then make up time working earlier or later. My mid-morning jaunt to the dog
... See more
I do not have a real schedule, and it's great, not "so-so".

I work if I have to and I relax when I don't. This might mean working all weekend, then visiting museums and the pool and doing my shopping at times when there are not so many visitors (Monday morning is kinda quiet everywhere). I might stick more or less to an office schedule when I'm working on a big job, but I'll find time to slot fun things in then make up time working earlier or later. My mid-morning jaunt to the dog park is about the only thing I won't change (the dog lets me know just how important it is).

It's the flexibility that I love. I hated twiddling my thumbs at the agency on a Monday morning, only to be inundated with work the next day (the boss didn't want to change my hours even though I made suggestions that would have increased my productivity. I'm done trying to understand the logic.)
Collapse


Chris Says Bye
 
Vincenzo Di Maso
Vincenzo Di Maso  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 16:33
Membro (2009)
Inglês para Italiano
+ ...
too used to change Jun 4, 2024

I am too used to this routine as a freelance translator.

I am not only accustomed to flexible hours but I do need it. I have a child and we barely have assistance a few hours per day. He's going eventually to grow up and go to school but I will need to take and pick him up. Our routine would definitely be incompatible with office jobs.

Having said that, the situation is becoming worrisome. I do have savings and the latest years went by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately th
... See more
I am too used to this routine as a freelance translator.

I am not only accustomed to flexible hours but I do need it. I have a child and we barely have assistance a few hours per day. He's going eventually to grow up and go to school but I will need to take and pick him up. Our routine would definitely be incompatible with office jobs.

Having said that, the situation is becoming worrisome. I do have savings and the latest years went by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately the number of projects is dramatically dropping.

I really don't mind working during weekend and evenings. I am just worried that our workflow will work too much forcing me to apply for an office job in the future.
Collapse


Chris Says Bye
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderador(es) deste fórum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: My work-life balance as a translator:






Trados Studio 2022 Freelance
The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.

Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

More info »
Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »