http://translationmusings.com/2008/06/04/when-do-you-cry-uncle/ featuring musings about my life and the translation industry Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:49:06 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://translationmusings.com/2008/06/04/when-do-you-cry-uncle/#comment-243 The GITS Blog » Know when to say “no” — and whose fault it is when you don’t Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:12:13 +0000 http://jillsommer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-243 [...] independent translator, I often have a hard time saying no to my clients. This is a pretty common problem with [...] [...] independent translator, I often have a hard time saying no to my clients. This is a pretty common problem with [...]

]]> http://translationmusings.com/2008/06/04/when-do-you-cry-uncle/#comment-13 Corinne McKay Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:14:42 +0000 http://jillsommer.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-13 Sorry for commenting on every one of your posts, but they're just so good! The whole workflow management thing is such a huge issue; two translators in Colorado are thinking of offering a seminar called "Zen and the Art of Freelance Translating," about how to maintain a balance in life and not be eternally scrambling to keep up. It's especially hard when, like most translators, you are a) a person who inherently likes to make other people happy and hates saying no and b) a person who thrives on success, in both a financial and emotional sense. I know a few people who stick to an established schedule, don't take rush jobs, don't work nights or weekends, etc., but for the rest of us (and I think that's almost everyone) it's an ongoing struggle! One thing I try to do is to tell myself, because I think it's true, that I'm not doing myself *or the client* a favor by taking on a job that I know will push me over the edge; then it's just a matter of convincing the client to look at it the same way! Sorry for commenting on every one of your posts, but they’re just so good! The whole workflow management thing is such a huge issue; two translators in Colorado are thinking of offering a seminar called “Zen and the Art of Freelance Translating,” about how to maintain a balance in life and not be eternally scrambling to keep up. It’s especially hard when, like most translators, you are a) a person who inherently likes to make other people happy and hates saying no and b) a person who thrives on success, in both a financial and emotional sense. I know a few people who stick to an established schedule, don’t take rush jobs, don’t work nights or weekends, etc., but for the rest of us (and I think that’s almost everyone) it’s an ongoing struggle! One thing I try to do is to tell myself, because I think it’s true, that I’m not doing myself *or the client* a favor by taking on a job that I know will push me over the edge; then it’s just a matter of convincing the client to look at it the same way!

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