Transitioning from Employed to Self-Employed - Part 2

Doubt is a close relative of fear, and it can certainly be your enemy when it comes to your successes as a freelance translator.

Doubt

Doubt is a close relative of fear, and it can certainly be your enemy when it comes to your successes as a freelance translator. You have to learn to control your emotions and this won’t be easy if you start doubting your ability to find clients who pay on time, finding translation projects that suit your expertise, and your ability to cope with a translation workload. Fear and doubt will work against you, so to counteract these negative feelings simply start counting your blessings. It really is that easy! You wouldn’t have started on the path to self-employment if you weren’t sure that you have great translation skills. If doubt is starting to take over, make a list of your skills and keep focusing on this list. You know you can handle whatever comes your way, but perhaps at this point in time, you’re lacking confidence. This will change once you start marketing yourself and your skills and when you attract your first translation clients.

The Desire for Financial Success – Now!

Obviously, you’ve decided to become a freelance translator because you want to become financially independent, but aiming too high could cause you to stumble. If you aim too high you may not win the projects you quote on, but aiming too low can result in working long hours on low-paying projects, forcing you to take on more and more work. Ultimately, this will lead to a lack of quality in your completed translations. Try not to doubt your abilities, but by the same token you need to be realistic when stating your abilities. If you’re a newbie when it comes to translation, don’t go after projects that are beyond your skill levels: you may have the confidence, but do you have the ability? Don’t aim too high at this point, because if you do you could well miss opportunities that are perfect for you. Be clear about your special skills and match them to translation projects being offered to you.

You Can Have It All!

The above three emotions can be the stumbling blocks to your freelance translation career, but if you can master these then you’re well and truly on your way to a successful career. Of course, there will be many more challenges to come, but looking fear in the face, not doubting yourself and your abilities, and resisting the temptation to aim too high, will set you on the path to success as a freelance translator.