Poll: How long do you usually work on a translation before taking at least a short break? Autor de la hebra: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
| | | I set a timer and live by it! | Aug 27, 2006 |
I used to work for hours at a sitting but it was not good for my health. Now I set a timer, usually for 50 minutes. I really focus for those 50 minutes, then when the timer goes off I finish the sentence or thought and get up and walk around. My timer starts counting upwards when I turn it off, which helps me keep from "finishing the thought" for another half hour!
If I'm under pressure to finish a job I'll increase to 60 or 70 minutes; my ABSOLUTE maximum is 90 minutes. Even if all... See more I used to work for hours at a sitting but it was not good for my health. Now I set a timer, usually for 50 minutes. I really focus for those 50 minutes, then when the timer goes off I finish the sentence or thought and get up and walk around. My timer starts counting upwards when I turn it off, which helps me keep from "finishing the thought" for another half hour!
If I'm under pressure to finish a job I'll increase to 60 or 70 minutes; my ABSOLUTE maximum is 90 minutes. Even if all I do is go to the bathroom, I consider those breaks to be very important. ▲ Collapse
| | | | casey 
Estados Unidos
Local time: 04:45
Miembro
japonés al inglés
Usually 2 hours, but if the subject matter is extremely boring I might even take a break every 10 minutes.
| | | | Julio Torres
México
Local time: 03:45
inglés al español
+ ...
JaneTranslates wrote:
Now I set a timer, usually for 50 minutes. I really focus for those 50 minutes, then when the timer goes off I finish the sentence or thought and get up and walk around.
That's exactly the advice experts in health care give to those who work with computers: 50:10 work:rest
I'll copy your idea Jane, because I'm ever keeping an eye on the computer's clock, but I think a timer would allow me to be more concentrated in the work...
Anyway, sometimes my children give me a compulsory break =).
[Editado a las 2006-08-28 00:14]
| | |
|
|
|
| Sounds like great advice! | Aug 27, 2006 |
I plan to go out and buy a timer also - or use the one on my cell phone - thanks for the idea. My intentions are good but I still find myself sitting for way too long - and feel quite stiff when I do finally get up - time seems to fly when I'm working on a translation!
| | | | | | Reed James
Chile
Local time: 06:45
Miembro 2005
español al inglés
| Schedule Wizard | Aug 27, 2006 |
I use Schedule Wizard. It does a lot more than just play an alarm. I have it play music at a scheduled time so I can get up and take a break.
It also does things like send e-mail and run applications automatically.
Reed
| | | | Brandis (X)
Local time: 10:45
inglés al alemán
+ ...
| I chose 4 hours | Aug 28, 2006 |
Hi!
Usually it takes some time and multiple readings till the text takes effect and finish some satisfactory percentile of translation and then I take a break. Some feeling of accomplishment is necessary. I use timer too. Best Brandis
| | |
|
|
|
Leandro Prada (X)
Argentina
Local time: 06:45
inglés al español
+ ...
| Who on God's green earth can work 8 hours? | Aug 28, 2006 |
casey wrote:
Usually 2 hours, but if the subject matter is extremely boring I might even take a break every 10 minutes.
I tend to agree more with Casey. When it's highly dense, boring stuff, I can't keep my butt on the chair for more than 10 minutes.
Then again when it's something I like, I can be there for hours, (NOT EIGHT of Course, because that would mean skipping a meal or two!!!) until my wife or baby bring me back with the living.
Cheers, Leandro
| | | | | Glad to hear... | Aug 28, 2006 |
Hi!
It's me who suggested this question for a poll - and I'm so glad to see the results!
Of course, you're right, it does make a difference if the text you're working on interests and grips you, or if it's just an alternative to a sleeping pill - but it the tendency of the answers given is becoming pretty obvious.
Just recently I was working on a "Durable Power of Attorney" with attached "Last Will & Testament" - and I just couldn't stay at it for much long... See more Hi!
It's me who suggested this question for a poll - and I'm so glad to see the results!
Of course, you're right, it does make a difference if the text you're working on interests and grips you, or if it's just an alternative to a sleeping pill - but it the tendency of the answers given is becoming pretty obvious.
Just recently I was working on a "Durable Power of Attorney" with attached "Last Will & Testament" - and I just couldn't stay at it for much longer than about 2 hours, then I felt I HAVE TO get away from this text and my screen! Doing so in time, I felt okay and ready to continue again after about 10 minutes. But sometimes I literally forced myself to work on and on for 3 to 4 hours or even longer - just to find I then needed a break of at least an hour...
So, I was beginning to wonder if it's "just me", or if other translators feel the same way!?
With many of my former employers, I often worked straight through without allowing for any breakfast or lunch breaks - skipping meals was a daily routine. Therefore, one aspect I must admit I never really considered since working from home is the health factor - ironically, this should be the most important one... What did concern me was the concentration bit, as I realized it simply doesn't do me any good if I just keep going - and, to be honest, it doesn't contribute to the quality of my work either.
Well, now I feel somewhat relieved to see that I'm "not the only one" and that there's no need to feel guilty about taking a short break every so often for a "Reset of Mind", as I like to call it... 
Thanks to everybody having taken / taking part in this poll!
Ulrike ▲ Collapse
| | | | | On the contrary... | Aug 28, 2006 |
Tanja Sahler & Ulrike MacKay wrote:
Well, now I feel somewhat relieved to see that I'm "not the only one" and that there's no need to feel guilty about taking a short break every so often for a "Reset of Mind", as I like to call it...
Ulrike
On the contrary, I'd say you should feel guilty if you *don't* take "a short break every so often"! Exactly how often will vary from person to person and (as several have mentioned) in accordance with the task at hand. But I'm sure I'm a better translator when I take care of my health (physical, mental, emotional, and especially spiritual).
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: How long do you usually work on a translation before taking at least a short 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 » |
| | Pastey | Your smart companion app
Pastey is an innovative desktop application that bridges the gap between human expertise and artificial intelligence. With intuitive keyboard shortcuts, Pastey transforms your source text into AI-powered draft translations.
Find out more » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
