Poll: On average, how long do you translate before taking a break? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "On average, how long do you translate before taking a break?".
View the poll results »
| | | |
It depends on a lot of factors, mainly how pressing the deadline is, but in general when I feel like a coffee or a snack, when I want to stretch my legs or catch hold of my drifting concentration, when I have to take the dog out, when the doorbell or the phone rings… It can be 15 minutes or 2 hours… The best thing about being a freelancer? There are no rules!
| | | |
I have no idea because I lose track of time when I'm translating. Once when I had a staff job I worked until long after everyone had gone home and I still thought it was early afternoon.
My reasons for taking a break:
1. I run into difficult text and feel burned out;
2. My dogs remind me that it's time for a walk or dinner; or
3. I reach a quota--sometimes on a long job I divide my day into short quotas.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 10:39
Spanish to English
+ ...
It varies. Like Muriel, I tent to lose track of time once I'm "in the zone". For example, this morning I started translating about 9 am and I stopped about 10.30 to shave and put some coffee on (I'll shower a bit later). I've just checked my inbox and there are no more jobs in yet (thank goodness, as I've got 3 other texts waiting to be translated once I finish the job in hand), so I'm having a quick blether here, on proz before going back to the delights of Excel...
| | |
|
|
|
Boring jobs in 10 minute bursts
Engrossing jobs in 3 hour bursts
| | | | Julian Holmes 
Japan
Local time: 17:39
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
Depends on how pressing the deadline is and the amount of adrenalin rushing through me.
| | | | Al Zaid
United States
English to Spanish
+ ...
Julian Holmes wrote:
Depends on how pressing the deadline is and the amount of adrenalin rushing through me.
Same for me. For jobs having the usual pressure (there's always pressure of some sort) I take small breaks every one or two hours. I get up and stretch a little, have some water from the fridge, etc. but very small breaks. Sometimes I sit here and practically don't get up in 3 o 4 hours. Depends also on how interesting the job is. If it's a "cigar" (as we call burdensome jobs around here) I take more frequent breaks.
I'm doing one now which is a loooong cigar and took a small break to write this, now I stretch a little and... back to the hole.
| | | | | Strict rules for me | Sep 16, 2014 |
60 minute bursts then a break.
Recently upped it from 45 minutes.
I recently found out the method I use is known as the Pomodoro Technique. I'm fairly militant about it and find it really helpful. 45 minutes is probably a better-sized chunk but recently I've found myself running over and translating during my break ("for fun") so I changed the boundaries.
| | |
|
|
|
Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 10:39
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
It depends on too many factors to just say every 1, 2, 3... hours it's time for a break.
I really don't "track" my working time at all. When a project's translation flows well, I may not take (or even even think about) a break for several hours.
If I encounter difficulties, then I'd rather take a break even if I had just had one instead of trying to solve the problem. Stepping outside into the sun, even for just a minute or two, can really remove "the log" and clear th... See more It depends on too many factors to just say every 1, 2, 3... hours it's time for a break.
I really don't "track" my working time at all. When a project's translation flows well, I may not take (or even even think about) a break for several hours.
If I encounter difficulties, then I'd rather take a break even if I had just had one instead of trying to solve the problem. Stepping outside into the sun, even for just a minute or two, can really remove "the log" and clear the mind.
The intervals between breaks also depend on the project's dealine, on how many have lined up at that time and their deadlines, and also whether there has been a real night (sleep) between this morning and yesterday's.
In short, the rule regarding the frequency of breaks is quite simply: there is none. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 10:39
Member (2006)
German to English
Same here- When I am having a good run with well written texts, I can go through 8 hours without a break. On other days, I take a break every couple of hours.
| | | | | Sitting for an hour or more without a break is not good for your health | Sep 17, 2014 |
Lots of articles recently have pointed to the health risks of excessive sitting. We need to get up, stretch our legs, and get some exercise. A client of mine has suffered health problems for precisely this reason, and she can't be more than about 30 years old.
| | | |
It depends on many factors, but I think Teresa has hit it on the nail
Teresa Borges wrote:
… It can be 15 minutes or 2 hours… The best thing about being a freelancer? There are no rules!
| | |
|
|
|
| Pomodoro Technique | Sep 22, 2014 |
I use the Pomodoro Technique and translate for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break and repeat 4 times until a longer break of 15 minutes is due.
I actually work with a "grid" so I can track how much work I do in each 25 minute block. This helps me keep on target for deadlines and also helps me to give more realistic deadlines to clients.
25 minutes 5 minute break.
25 minutes 5 minute break.
25 minutes 5 minute break.
25 minutes 15 minute break.
... See more I use the Pomodoro Technique and translate for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break and repeat 4 times until a longer break of 15 minutes is due.
I actually work with a "grid" so I can track how much work I do in each 25 minute block. This helps me keep on target for deadlines and also helps me to give more realistic deadlines to clients.
25 minutes 5 minute break.
25 minutes 5 minute break.
25 minutes 5 minute break.
25 minutes 15 minute break.
The important thing is not to be sitting at the computer for more than 25 minutes.
Of course you do have to be a bit flexible sometimes... You don't just stand bolt upright when the buzzer rings regardless of what you are doing. I generally finish segments or paragraphs and then take my breaks.
The 15 minute break usually turns into 20 or 25 minutes, making a coffee, having a sandwich, putting on a washing machine, jumping in the pool to cool down... But this works for me and makes me very very productive.
Anyway, you can read all about it here: http://pomodorotechnique.com/ ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Sounds like a successful technique | Dec 17, 2014 |
Samuel Sebastian Holden Bramah wrote: I use the Pomodoro Technique and translate for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break and repeat 4 times until a longer break of 15 minutes is due. I actually work with a "grid" so I can track how much work I do in each 25 minute block. This helps me keep on target for deadlines and also helps me to give more realistic deadlines to clients. 25 minutes 5 minute break. 25 minutes 5 minute break. 25 minutes 5 minute break. 25 minutes 15 minute break. The important thing is not to be sitting at the computer for more than 25 minutes. Of course you do have to be a bit flexible sometimes... You don't just stand bolt upright when the buzzer rings regardless of what you are doing. I generally finish segments or paragraphs and then take my breaks. The 15 minute break usually turns into 20 or 25 minutes, making a coffee, having a sandwich, putting on a washing machine, jumping in the pool to cool down... But this works for me and makes me very very productive. Anyway, you can read all about it here: http://pomodorotechnique.com/
Did you just casually mention "jumping in the pool to cool down"?
Poolside properties are so hard to find in central London and Bordeaux
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: On average, how long do you translate before taking a break? | 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 » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
