Most of the time I work on shorter and easier to digest projects. I like this mode of work: it’s more dynamic, less boring and equally rewarding. I can translate for some time and spend the rest of it perfecting my work, polishing the surface and rounding up the edges. But larger projects do come in, and keep me engaged for days and days of the same text.
It just happened about 2 weeks ago. I got trapped with the same text for 7 hours a day from Monday to Friday (almost 9 to 5!), and I noticed that my brain starts to slip. It doesn’t happen that often if texts are different, or if you can be more flexible and move your activities around. But how to deal with block translating?
1. Breaks
It was very tempting for me to spend the first couple of hours translating all the time, thinking: the more I manage to translate now, the sooner I’ll finish. Not a great idea. It is much better to take a break every hour and to let your brain breathe for a while. I translated for 55 minutes, and then took a 5 minutes’ long break, closing my eyes and listening to my favourite, soul-brightening Norwegian music. Thinking about green slopes, calm fiords and white sheep… Anything but policies, regulations and penalties for infringement.
2. Water
I used to think that a quick coffee in a morning is a must to start me off. Well, one cup sounds fine. But in my own experience, problems start when you’re trying to stay awake after 2-3 hours of translating slurping yet another large black. Coffee worked against me, leaving my brain fed up and my translating self bored and dumb. Water works much better, with a slice of lemon. Keeping my body hydrated allowed me to keep my hourly turnover steady.
3. Food
I avoid large and heavy on a stomach food anyway, but you may want to try eating light while you work. I usually eat fruit and nuts to get more sugar and energy, instead of eating bread and dairy products. Oh, and… chocolate really helps.
4. Planning
For large projects, I always have a daily planned turnover and I know I have to keep up to translate according to it. Make sure that it is reasonable, and that you’re not left with too much time on your hands. At first, I estimated I’ll translate much slower and I ended up cheating: if I can do it in 5 hours, not 7, I can spend these 2 hours killing time… Wrong. I’m sure that a habit like that would impact my overall capacity and after some time I’d end up translating a half or a third of what I can do now. My best tactics: plan to translate enough to rush a bit. If you have time to check your e-mail or Facebook, that means not enough work. (By the way: checking e-mail during small breaks is a NO GO. Before you realise, you’ll end up wasting away at least half an hour).
5. Exercise
Don’t laugh at me, but I couldn’t work without that. A quick series of stand-ups, or energetic dance (to the very same Norwegian music), or a healthy stretch can do wonders with your levels of concentration. I also try to go to the gym every other day, and I find it really beneficial for my translation work.
6. Diversity
Long projects taking days are mind-bogging. I was getting mad in front of my computer, so I used crime stories and thrillers to exercise my mind. Don’t let your mind get too engrossed in one topic, or you’ll end up completely exhausted and brain dead by the end of the project.
7. Gratification
We’re all only human and we’d do everything for a treat. If you’re struggling with a project and you wish you studied accountancy or law, think of a nice motivational bonus. Sometimes little things work, and sometimes we need massive gratification. I made an official promise that if I manage to keep up with my plan till the end of June, I’m going for my great Scandinavian trip: Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Turku, Oslo, and Bergen. Playing Norwegian music in the background reminds me of my bonus. But again, chocolate works almost equally great!
I appreciate this certain stability that long projects provide us with, but I may suffer from a sort of professional over activeness, and I can’t imagine myself translating the same texts for longer than 2 weeks. It becomes too mechanical, taking away my most favourite part. But well, no-one can be too picky nowadays.
How do you take care of your brain? How do you deal with large and heavy projects? Do you have any secrets that keep you carry on for ages?
Marta Stelmaszak
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28 Comments
Dear Marta,
I always love reading your posts. They’re such an inspiration!
I can’t agree more on the fact that our brain needs rest, especially when we’re dealing with large and quite often, boring texts. At one time I was stuck with a big project where I had to translate the same type of text for almost three months in a row, to the point that I almost started hating it…So getting short breaks once in a while is vital for us translators!
I’ve also noticed that I got way too addicted to coffee and it’s not doing me any good, so the idea of drinking more water is a much better solution.
I would probably add taking a short walk, if possible, so that the brain could get some fresh air and the body could get some motion, instead of just sitting in front of the computer all day long. Exercising is a great idea as well.
By the way, good luck with your vacation plans. Sounds like it’s gonna be a wonderful trip. I love Scandinavian countries as well, especially Norway and Denmark. So if you do get to Copenhagen and have some free time, please let me know, it would be great to meet you there for a cup of coffee, if you wish
Liza
Dear Liza,
Thank you very much for your comment and your support! I think that short walks are great, and with spring around the corner… I wish I lived in a more walkable area, but you can’t have it all in London…
You can be sure there’ll be a lot of photos and perhaps even regular updates, as I’ve been waiting for this journey for years… It would be great to meet up, I’ll drop you a line in a couple of months!
Marta
Thanks very much for this useful and must-have list. I have only one coffee, first thing in the morning (a strong one: Spanish and Italians love a good strong coffee, even though mine is with milk and sugar), and it usually wakes me up in an hour or so. Then I spend the rest of the day drinking water. I always drunk plenty of water (sometimes even too much), between 2 and 3 litres per day in the best of the days. And if I drink just two pints a day, I feel it the following day. So, yes, water is a defo. Sometimes I would also have a juice, but not too much, cos they make me more thirsty after a while
I am not a very chocolatey person, but a couple of ounces from time to time does help. They say chocolate is aphrodisiac, so I suppose having just a bit helps you jsut like coffee, but better
The only thing I still have to do is going to the gym… 10 years ago I used to go every day and I was totally hooked, but now, it’s sooo hard to go back… I know, I know! It’s the only “New Year’s resolution” I keep failing. ;-p
Thanks for your comment, Curri! I tried not to drink coffee in the morning, but it works only on certain days when I wake up so full of positive energy, that I don’t even bother waiting for my alarm clock. Hopefully, there’ll be more of those soon.
I’m trying to limit my chocolate, but I like fruit more anyway. Shame they don’t give the same sugar rush!
When scheduling a long project - in particular, when agreeing the deadline - it helps to leave space for one or two small side-projects at the same time, to keep the grey cells stimulated (and to keep the other customers happy).
I also find it helpful to keep track of how many words I still have to translate on the job and how much I’ve done today. Seeing the mound gradually reduce is quietly motivating.
Hi Oliver, great to have your comment here. Leaving some time for side projects sounds great.
I also like your tip about writing off work you’ve already done - definitely helps a lot!
Long distance drivers are advised to drink a lot of water and take some extra salt. This way you may increase your concentration power.
First thing I do in the morning is exercise for about half an hour. Short walks in the afternoon also helps but with the translation project on your mind you are forced to go back and finish the translation. I used to go to gym. Takes your mind away but after some time it gets boring. I much prefer open air activities and swimming. I have rented a summer house at the seaside. I am most efficient during the times I live there. Swimming, translating, swimming and translating again. I accomplish much more.
Dear Mustafa, I like your exercise idea! Half an hour may be too much for me, as I do gym quite often, but at least some stretching… I’m fighting with boredom at gym by listening to French podcasts to learn more. Or I’m interpreting simultaneously news on BBC…
I completely agree with you. I prefer short projects because they leave me more time to work on them and refine. It’s strange but they can be more challenging than long projects. Each word becomes a well conscious choice. I know the same must happen for longer translations but sometimes they can be creativity-consuming.
Exactly my thoughts! With longer projects, you’re not that motivated or challenged. You just sit and translate…
With reference to point 1, about taking a break, ‘Time Out’ is a handy little free app that you can install on your computer and which ‘forces’ you to take breaks. Basically it dims your screen, forcing you to stop working for a while. You can configure the frequency and length of breaks, but typically it might be 5 or 10 minutes every hour and 10 seconds every 10 minutes (see http://www.dejal.com/timeout).
That’s great, Catharine! I’m quite happy I can have a break without tricking myself to that, but I some people out there will definitely need more forceful solutions…
Are there any of these kinds of applications for PCs? What you’re referring to seems to be just for Macs. Sounds a handy tool anyway!
I totally agree with you! I much prefer shorter projects with variety. Still, recently I had a looooong transcription project to work on. I found that, besides taking short breaks regularly, I needed a long break in the middle of the day (at least half an hour) to totally pull myself away from the work. Sitting back down, it was like I had rebooted myself- all of a sudden, I was excited to work on the “new” project. Funny how the mind can be tricked like that
Good luck on your plans for Scandinavia! It sounds wonderful. My husband and I are working towards Thailand ourselves. Travel is a great motivator.
Thanks for your comment, Carolyn! Yes, I’m still amazed at all the tricks we can play with our brains… And we all have to find our best motivators!
This is a fantastic post, however, in my case it is easier said than done. When I start translating I almost seem to transport to another dimension where time doesn’t mean anything. I can translate for hours, without eating or drinking anything, keeping a steady pace. The sun goes down and I hardly even notice it. The problem with this is, my nutrition has really taken a nose dive since I started translating full-time and so I’ve had to rethink my translating strategy. So thanks for this post. I’m definitely doing to have to give your trips a try!
Dear Danielle,
Thank you very much for your post. I know what you mean - sometimes it’s so hard to stop when you can hear your Muse whispering… But it can be destructive, sadly. Don’t forget to share how did you do with these tips!
Really interesting but this post would be perfect if someone could talk about how to manage translation and children at home?
I fully agree with this post.
Noelia
That’s a challenge, Noelia! I don’t have children myself, but I can imagine how difficult it must be to juggle translation and children at the same time!
I drink green tea all day long, from breakfast to about 5 p.m.
It’s not as strong as coffee, it does not stain your teeth so much, and it’s the best antioxidant for your body cells.
I like green tea, too, but still coffee is the best thing to wake me up in the morning…
I agree with every item of your post and I will add one more: doing things with your hands, it frees your mind. When I work on the same text for a week or more, I love to carry out any kind of craft, even painting my nails. You concentrate in the mechanic aspect of the task and your mind completely forgets about that long HR handbook.
Thanks for your comment, Luciana! I like painting, too, but sadly don’t have enough time to do it. Maybe I should try harder…
Every bit of this article applies to my case. In the first days I spent in the office, I used to be very slow for two main reasons: dehydration + fast food. I stopped these two things at once. Now, I drink up to 3 letters on a daily basis, I eat nuts, dates, pistachio … I can tell you that I feel a burst of energy when I work, but the downside is when I realize that it’s 3 PM and I am still before my desk since 9 AM. I am still trying to break free from coffee, I end up insomniac when I exceed the 3 cup-dose. I also keep put sticky note on my copy holder to remind me of the progress I should make on a daily basis. The only thing I still can’t manage to do is the “gym” seriously, I feel like I can’t have a day without work to work out! My clothes are wearing me. Anyway, it seems we translators have a lot in common
Thanks for your comment, Mehdi! I drink plenty of water, too. I eat nuts and dates, and I’m also trying to go to the gym on a regular basis.
Thanks so much for your post. Very insightful indeed. I’m one of those juggling translations at home with kids in tow…not the easiest job. Lots of water, rising very early and staying up late, to work in the quiet is my best bet for a good result in my work. Lile everyone else here, time ceases to exist once engaged on the assignment, especially when researching a n unfamiliar subject matter. I love what I do, and my kids rather have me home than me me leaving them w the sitter, unless that sitter is grandma. Cheers!!!
Water seems to be more and more important for me, too. Where did I put my bottle…
Dear Marta,
Many thanks for sharing for experiences. Such posts based on real life make us feel normal … as when we happen to take “breaks” on social networks instead of going out for a short walk or at least have of a cup of coffe/tea, even drink a glass of water…
When typo is going wrong, I have to admit I need a break, not a long one, just standing up, looking at the window (even on rainy days), streching and/or doing some Taï Chi.
Also I may have a look at the “menu list”, this is an habit I set up when my children were at school with many extra-activities. As a result I can evaluate the time left before preparing diner, back in front of my computer with a glance at the word count I am ready to restart, my brain on “translating” mode.
Thanks for your posts,
Françoise