No matter the business you are in, if you really want to succeed, you must take some time to assess your progress, so as to make any necessary changes in order to thrive and become obviously successful.

If you are a translator, it might be easier said than done to actually know how to assess your progress, all the more so as there are very tremendous changes happening in the translation and localization industry nowadays. To help you perform this critical task for your success, below are five questions that might be worth asking yourself.

#1
CAN I COMFORTABLY INTRODUCE MYSELF AS A PROFESSIONAL FREELANCE TRANSLATOR?

At first glance, this question might sound as a nonsense. But if you seriously ponder over it, you will soon discover that the very first person —and, of the course, the most important one— that needs to be convinced of you professionalism is YOU. If you are able to introduce yourself confidently as a professional freelance translator, it means you have enough self-confidence, as well as the needed sense of responsibility and maturity to thrive in our industry. And, as a result, you are ready for the next question.

#2
IS TRANSLATION MY MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME?

Take a few seconds to think about this, please: A guy tells you he is a professional plumber, but every morning he is at your door and your neighbors’ doors to collect and dispose of your waste in order to get some moneys from it. And anyone you ask about the guy in the neighborhood is saying he has always been making a living out of collecting waste. Do you think if you happen to encounter a serious plumbing issue, you will call for the guy? I would say “NO”. Why? Because it is obvious that plumbing is not his main source of income, which implies that he is not good enough at plumbing to make a living out of his professional activity, an activity that he is supposed to master and to practice on a daily basis in order to perfectly handle it all the time, just as the saying goes, “practice makes perfect.”

Now, do you think a so-called professional translator who is making a living out of many little jobs, such as plumbing, shop-keeping, baby-sitting can be credible enough and trustworthy if a serious client is looking for someone to entrust their work to? I do not think so!

Bottom line: If you are not yet able to making a living out of freelance translation on a daily or monthly basis, then you will better look for solutions to give your career as a freelance translator a new impetus. And, in this regard, I would be glad to help! Join my One-on-One Translator Empowerment Coaching here.

#3
HOW MANY COMPETENT COLLEAGUES CAN RECOMMEND MY SERVICES?

This question emphasizes the importance of networking. To thrive in translation —just as in any other field as a freelancer—, always remember that joining a TEAM or a network is essential. Because, as Jim Kwik poetically puts it, “T.E.A.M. actually stands for Together Everyone Achieves More.”

Once you have started networking , which will surely result in partnering with different colleagues, make sure to always give your very best to make it easier for the said colleagues to recommend your services. Never neglect or belittle a job or task, as nobody definitely knows who will access your job at the end of the day, and how that person or organization will impact your professional course.

#4
HOW RELEVANT IS MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE TRANSLATION OR LOCALIZATION INDUSTRY?

If you want good to come to you, DO GOOD! When it comes to translation, the above statement can just involve to share relevant information with regard to translation/localization trendy talks, meetings, gatherings and issues. When did you last share or write a post in relation with translation? How relevant was that post?

Here is a simple truth: the more you share relevant information about the translation industry, the more you make yourself popular as an effective professional freelance translator and, subsequently, the more you are likely to be contacted by serious clients that will request and later on recommend your services.

It is never too late to start thriving. Start sharing relevant info on translation by clicking any of the social media buttons available at the bottom if this page to share this article.

#5
DO I HAVE CLEAR GOALS AS TO ENHANCE MY PROFILE AS A PROFESSIONAL FREELANCE TRANSLATOR?

You cannot succeed if you don’t have a clear mental picture of what kind of professional you would like to be in the next 2, 5 or 10 years. So, do your homework: write somewhere your professional goals. Read a lot on how to achieve your goals: what are the necessary tools, resources and budget to achieve your goals. Once you are done with setting goals, remember that goals can only take you to success when you take concrete actions. And noteworthy, it takes a lot of discipline and patience to achieve your goals. However, the good news is, if you consistently do whatever it takes to achieve your goals, you will end up thriving in the translation business, thus quitting the category of losers!

Is this checklist helpful to you? That sounds great! I couldn’t be happier. But if you would love having more insights to grow and enhance your freelance career as a translator, just click here to register for a One-on-One Translator Empowerment Coaching session.

Good luck to all of us!