How To Take A Vacation When You Are A Freelance Translator

You know what I’m talking about if you are a freelance translator or interpreter. According to your normal work flow pattern, you figure July is a slow month and therefore is perfect for a vacation.

You plan everything and start packing your suitcase… But just two days before your departure, someone calls wanting to hire you for a big project.

Take it or not? It’s not like decent jobs are floating around on a regular basis. You don’t want to disappoint your clients or let your competitors get an edge. It’s also hard to ignore the extra money…

Why do good opportunities only seem to knock on your door when you‘ve decided to take a vacation that’s long overdue? Relax! This happens to almost every freelancer.

You want to please your clients and keep them happy; meanwhile, you struggle to make ends meet. But do you keep yourself happy? If you don’t value yourself, nobody will. If you feel overworked and under earned, you definitely are up for some new ideas and you need inspirations.

Taking time away from your translation work helps you improve your productivity. It recharges your batteries. How often or how long you take time off is up to you, but keeping your mind refreshed and maintaining a good mood is the best way to ignite your creativity for your personal and professional life.

A happy and stress-free you can better serve your clients and your business.

Here are some tips on how to take a vacation that’s long overdue for you:

1.Allocate a certain budget for vacation each year.

The amount doesn’t matter, but the action does.

2.It is important to set your vacation schedule.

Don’t make it contingent upon getting a new client or a new project. You want to establish that YOU come first, no matter what.

3.Retain some flexibility in your plan.

Occasionally, there is a job that you just can’t refuse. If you are able to take shorter, extended long weekend or four-day breaks during the year or can pencil-in those possibilities you may be able to make up for that rare can’t-miss opportunity.

4.Quit thinking how to take a vacation when your clients are depending on you

Take a deep breath. The world carries on without you. Things will come around when you take good care of yourself.

5.Alert your clients about your holiday plans, via email or a personal call

Give them plenty of time to plan around your vacation – it just may give them the chance to reschedule some work to fit your plans!

You don’t have to spend a fortune for a vacation. If you do some research, you’ll find plenty of good deals out there. You can also find creative ways to pay for your vacation. Maybe you can find a vacation combining volunteer work with traditional travelling?

6.Keep your eyes open for new ideas.

Most innovative ideas are created when people are relaxed. Use your vacation to get inspired and rejuvenated.

If you’ve struggled with when and how to take a vacation, chances are you are not considering yourself as a priority and act as such. But the truth is, if you take care of yourself your business and clients will be in good shape too.

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