Wednesday 22 June 2016

The minimal to-do list

Does your daily to-do list sometimes become overly long? Do you rely on your to-do list, but want to focus more on what matters most? Do you wonder how best to combat procrastination? Then it might be time to adopt this bafflingly simple tool which I’ve come across on Joshua Becker’s blog: the 3-Item To-Do List!

Every morning Joshua Becker identifies the 3 most important tasks of the day and makes these his primary focus. The 3-Item To-Do List has increased his productivity and job satisfaction significantly. What’s more, it provides him with a sense of accomplishment at the end of each and every day.

A minimal to-do list helps increase productivity and job satisfaction


I love the idea of incorporating minimalism in to-do lists and have implemented it into my everyday life, too. My minimal to-do list, for example, may consist of these 3 items: 1) put the finishing touches on a translation project and deliver it; 2) bring my accounts up to date; and 3) sit down for a German grammar lesson with my children after school.

I will probably get quite a few additional things done that day, too, such as starting a new work project, doing some housework, drafting a new blog post, and more. But if I don’t, it doesn’t really matter as these additional things weren’t among my 3 priorities for the day anyway.

The logic behind the 3-Item To-Do List concept is simple: If I have completed my 3 tasks, my day has been productive. It’s a concept that can be applied by anybody, in whatever circumstances. Focusing on 3 priorities per day, and optionally fitting in other things as well, means you no longer feel overwhelmed by interminable to-do lists.

Why not give it a shot, too?

Links to articles on the 3-Item To-Do List:
- Joshua Becker: Accomplish More with a 3-Item To Do List
- Melissa Camara Wilkins: What Is An Enough List And How it Helped Me Enjoy Everyday
- Andrew Merle: The Power of the 3-Item To-Do List 


(I've translated this blog article into German and published the German translation here.)

Wednesday 18 May 2016

Minimalism in translation revision

This comment by Alison Hughes in the May/June issue of the ITI Bulletin caught my attention: The late Sue Young (known as ITI’s revision guru at the time) always recommended “changing as little as possible” in the revision of translations. I agree it is a simple concept: straightforward, efficient, and effective.


Don’t ask if a sentence can be improved but whether it needs to be improved

Intrigued by the minimalist nature of Sue’s advice, I have dug up my own notes from a revision workshop given by Sue at UWE in Bristol on 12 April 2008 and have come across a few more (minimalist) revision principles which Sue advocated. Note they are based on Brian Mossop's book "Revising and Editing for Translators".

Minimize the introduction of error by not making changes if in doubt about whether to do so.

Make only small changes to a sentence rather than rewriting it completely.

Don’t ask if a sentence can be improved but whether it needs to be improved.

Should you come across a large number of errors as you begin revising, consider whether the text should be retranslated rather than revised, and point this out to the client.

Do not impose your own translation approach or linguistic idiosyncracies upon the work of others. To quote Sue (see also ITI Bulletin May/June issue 2006, page 15): “Tempting though it may be, it is not part of the reviser’s brief to change the style."

According to Sue, it is your responsibility as a reviser to research any (remaining) problems. However, if you are unable to solve a problem, admit it to the client.


Always change as little as possible

Obviously, a lot more aspects should come into play in revision projects, but I found these particularly noteworthy. I don’t revise translations often myself, but once the next revision job lands on my desk, I shall bear the principles above in mind!

Check out my blog article on the revision workshop with Sue Young back in 2008 here. It is based on Anna George’s write-up of the event and includes more useful information on the revision of translations.

I'd also like to draw your attention to Sue Young's article "Handling client demands", which can be downloaded from the ITI website here.

Wednesday 16 March 2016

8 Proven ways of minimising screen time

Do you find you spend too little time around screens – or too much? Focusing too much of our attention on technology, computers and social media isn’t good for our eyes, has a negative impact on our posture, and can completely ruin our sleep.

As translators, we obviously have to spend a lot of time in front of our screens because, after all, it goes with the profession. However, I believe there are ways where even we can manage to minimise our screen time. Read on to find out how:

1) Be strategic in your online activities.

Decide before you sit down in front of a screen why you’re going to look at it. Be clear about what you’re trying to achieve while you're there – be that putting the finishing touches on a project, bringing your accounts up to date, or catching up on personal email. Minimise your time by focusing on your tasks and by eliminating all conceivable distractions.

2) Cut back on email and notifications.

Adopt a minimalist approach to how many emails you receive, read and reply to every day. Note this: While our jobs require us to answer emails straight away, we do have more freedom to take our time responding to other messages. Consider disabling your social media email notifications; you can still check them when you next log into your account.

3) Track your screen time.

I’m a big proponent of tracking work hours meticulously, even when we’re not paid by the hour. I’ve blogged on tracking screen time before (here and here). I aim to work 35 hours per week, which by the way excludes additional time spent on personal email, Twitter, forum discussions etc. When I go over my 35-hour limit, I consequently try to cut down on work hours (which in the translation industry, of course, is never easy!).


Find out how to incorporate some digital detox into your life!

4) Aim for minimal screen time in the evening.

Exposing yourself to screens in the evenings means it’ll take considerably longer for melatonin, the body’s natural sleep hormone, to kick in. So how about finishing work and unplugging a little earlier to wind down your brain before bed time? Just because we can be available and plugged in 24/7 doesn’t mean that we have to be!



5) Minimise your online profiles.

I believe that as translators we’re busy enough already with what we do (i.e. translating). Therefore, we do not need a presence on all social media platforms. In my view, being active on even just one is sufficient. As I now try to be minimalist in almost everything I do, it won’t come as a surprise to you that I favour Twitter: thanks to its 140-character restriction, Twitter lets you be minimal in what you post.

6) Be unconventional in your use of online profiles.


I know, I know this goes against all the rules of becoming successful and popular on Twitter: but rather than tweeting 8 times per day (as we’re advised to do), how about logging into Twitter only every 2nd day? Or every 3rd? If busy translators worry or feel stressed about not being present on social media enough, then, clearly, something must be wrong. Also, consider being unconventional when it comes to blogging: feel free not to publish two blog posts per week, as a conventional blogger would do.

I’ve even gone so far as not to enable the comments feature on my blog. Generally,
I think comments on blogs are terrific. However, thinking long and hard about how to reply and then phrasing my replies in English, which is not my mother tongue, would mean yet more screen time on top of the 35+ hours that I already spend at my screen. So my reasons for not having comments are the same as for Seth Godin.

7) Minimise your online marketing/networking.

While it’s true that, in theory, translators can build up big businesses via the internet and without ever leaving the house, there are alternative options available: consider minimising – rather than maximizing – your online marketing/networking activities. Replace your marketing/networking screen time by (yes!) leaving the house and engaging in some face-to-face marketing or networking out in the non-virtual world.

8) Try a day or two of no screen time at all.

Electronic devices have infiltrated almost all aspects of our lives in recent years. You’ll only start to notice their impact once you switch them off for a while. Choose a day or two in which you won’t let electronic devices clamour for your attention. Weekends in particular are perfect for device-free days. Be minimal by incorporating some digital detox into your life.

Minimise – unplug – enjoy!

Links to useful articles:

- The 10 Most Important Things to Simplify in Your Life (by Joshua Becker)
- Screen Time for Adults: Setting Limits for Yourself (and your inner child) (by Lily Sloane)
- Opt Out: A Simplicity Manifesto (by Leo Babauta)

Wednesday 2 March 2016

What the minimalist wardrobe and translation specialisms have in common

There is a good reason why successful women like Matilda Kahl, art director from New York, wear the same thing to work every day: she never stresses about what to wear, she is more efficient at work, and she always looks and feels great.

As I’m paring down my closet more and more to a select number of items, I’ve noticed some baffling similarities between the minimalist wardrobe and translation specialisms. Over time, I’ve carefully minimized my translation specialisms so they now only include patent specifications in a few select fields and contracts; everything else I turn down.

What do the minimalist wardrobe and translation specialisms have in common?





Minimalist wardrobe principle 1:
Toss out any pieces of clothing you don’t feel comfortable wearing.

I’ve figured out, for example, that I hate wearing black. I always had to wear black in my job as a funeral organist 20 years ago – and I didn’t like it back then either. It’s taken me quite some time to figure that out. So I’ve started tossing out (most) black pieces of clothing.

Similarly, it’s taken me quite some time to figure out there are subject areas I would neither enjoy nor feel comfortable with. For example, I’d hate having to translate a novel. Some subject areas – such as electrical engineering or chemistry – I am even terrified of! So I give them a wide berth.


A minimalist wardrobe will help you to always look great and feel great

Minimalist wardrobe principle 2:
Know what flatters you.

Minimizing your wardrobe involves identifying what flatters you in terms of style, materials, colours, and patterns. Buying new clothes consequently becomes a piece of cake as you already know exactly what to look out for.


Similarly, identifying a translation specialism allows you to be highly selective when sifting through a pile of new job enquiries; you can decide quickly which translations are and which aren’t for you. A specialism will not just make your website look attractive, but also make you look good.


Minimalist wardrobe principle 3:
Create a capsule wardrobe.
 

The only thing Matilda Kahl had to do to create her iconic work uniform was to buy 15 identical silk white shirts and a few black trousers. A capsule wardrobe includes timeless, versatile pieces that you love to wear. It is the definition of your personal style.

Similarly, just as a capsule wardrobe can greatly boost your public image, the specialisms that translators acquire and become known for often turn into their brand. And not only are these translators conversant with their subject areas, they also usually love their specialisms!



Just as there is a good reason why successful people wear the same thing every day, it makes sense to pick a translation specialism: you never stress about what types of texts to accept, you are more efficient at work, and you feel great about having that specialism! 



Links to articles on the minimalist wardrobe:

- Why I Wear the Exact Same Thing to Work Every Day (by Matilda Kahl)
- 8 Reasons Successful People Are Choosing to Wear the Same Thing Every Day  (by Joshua Becker)
- Minimalist Wardrobe (on Simple not Plain, a how-to blog on minimalist living)

Sunday 31 January 2016

New blog theme: Minimalism in the freelance translator’s workplace

I was pleasantly surprised to see a reference to one of my German blog articles about minimalism in the freelance workplace in the January 2016 issue of the ITI Bulletin. This has encouraged me even more in my decision to focus on combining translation with minimalism in future blog posts.

ITI BULLETIN January-February 2016, page 4

I am already brimming with ideas, so watch this space!
 

Tuesday 12 January 2016

8 Essential elements of a perfect blog post

What makes a perfect blog post? The following 8 elements are the hallmarks of excellent blogs and are partly based on conclusions drawn from mistakes I’ve made on my own blog. Read on to find out how to reach the maximum number of blog readers and how to generate more social media shares:



1) Blog consistently about a particular theme.

 
Successful blogs are centred on a particular theme. Therefore, be as minimal as you can about the range of topics you choose to blog about. Check out the following examples of excellent blogs with a consistent theme: Claire Cox’s blog on translation/freelancing; Joshua Becker’s blog on minimalism; or Derek Sivers’ blog on entrepreneurship.



2) Pick an eye-catching headline.

 
8 out of 10 blog visitors will read your headline; 2 out of 10 will read the rest of your post (aka as the Pareto or 80/20 principle). A snappy headline is crucial: it will make or break whether people will carry on reading your post. Statistics have revealed that readers usually only absorb the first 3 words and the last 3 words in a headline, so focus on those 6 words.



Readers usually only absorb the first 3 words and the last 3 words in a headline

 

3) Make your opening sentence intriguing.
 
You usually have 10 seconds to impress the reader – failing which she’ll turn away and won’t return to your post. So make your opening sentence at least one of the following: catchy, scary, quirky, compelling, enticing, extraordinary, thought-provoking, or very personal. Consider drafting that all-important sentence last.



4) Organise your post as a list.

 
There is a reason for why my blog post “Top 10 misconceptions about translation and the translation profession” has been the most popular post on my blog for a long time. It has been found that a large proportion of popular blog posts are structured as lists along the lines of “10 quick tips to…”, “7 essential elements of…”, or “8 surefire ways of…”.



5) Be minimal in your use of words and the length of paragraphs.

 
A perfect blog post is as concise as it possibly can be. For me, the most enjoyable stage in writing a blog post is stripping it of all superfluous words and passages. Ideally, the number of adjectives included should be minimal, too. Contrary to what we were taught at school, adjectives often add nothing but unnecessary fluff to a text, thus detracting from its readability.



6) Use memorable language.

 
People reading online content tend to just skim text, and attention spans notoriously are decreasing. Therefore, use straightforward, punchy or bold language to drive home your message. This post by Julien Smith may be an extreme example of this, but it clearly achieves its goal of sticking in your mind once you’ve read it. (A must-read, by the way, if you care too much about what other people might think about you!)



7) Include a photo.

 
People in general respond better to visual content than to plain text, so visuals in a blog post are essential for making it perfect. They will brighten it up and render it appealing and unique. (Important: always ensure photos on your blog are legal!)



8) Write as if you’re giving advice to a friend.

 
The harsh truth about blogging is this: Hardly anyone out in the big, wide internet world is interested in you. People who come across your post are usually looking for solutions to their own problems! A perfect blog post therefore rarely focuses on the blog author alone, but is mainly directed at the readership. Write as if you’re talking to a friend, include relevant links, be helpful, engaging, and inspiring.



And finally: A perfect blog post should be actionable. As a result of writing this article and with reference to bullet point 1) above, I have made this decision: From today, I’m going to combine blogging about freelance translation with minimalism, a topic that has been close to my heart for almost 2 years. Stay tuned!

Tuesday 5 January 2016

Book recommendation: "Poison Bay" by Belinda Pollard

If you’re looking for an "unputdownable" novel to read, this is for you: I highly and enthusiastically recommend Belinda Pollard’s eco/wilderness thriller "Poison Bay"! It’s an absolutely brilliant read, packed with action, and "unputdownable" because you’ll find yourself avidly turning the pages from one captivating chapter to the next.

"Poison Bay" is the story of eight friends on a trek into New Zealand’s most brutal wilderness, with a shared secret that catches up with them once they are completely cut off from the outside world. It is full of vivid descriptions of a part of New Zealand’s most remote and stunning landscapes. You can watch the book trailer here:



"Poison Bay" is the debut novel by Belinda Pollard, a writer and award-winning former journalist from Brisbane, Australia. She was inspired to write the book while doing some day hikes on the south island of New Zealand and later became intrigued by the location name "Poison Bay" on a remote corner of the Fiordland map. Find out more on the writing of the book in an interview with her here.

You can follow Belinda Pollard on Twitter where she regularly tweets about good writing, blogging and publishing.





Fiordland, New Zealand
(photos taken by a family member in February 2015)

As a minimalist, I enjoyed reading “Poison Bay” as an e-book, but it is also available in paperback: http://www.belindapollard.com/poison-bay.