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Poll: When you have a task that you completely dread, how do you tackle it?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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08:10

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When you have a task that you completely dread, how do you tackle it?".

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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 12:09
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
N/A 08:39

It depends on what the task is! Not so long ago, when some days I had more than one translation project, I always started with the one that seemed the most difficult. Other tasks I don’t like, such as bookkeeping, I leave to the experts…
 
Lieven Malaise
Lieven Malaise  Identity Verified
Belgium
Local time: 13:09
Member (2020)
French to Dutch
+ ...
Freelancing 08:39

Luckily we are freelancers. We don't have to accept anything we truly hate doing.

Christine Andersen
 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 13:09
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
Break it down and beat it 09:19

I do not accept translation tasks or paid work that I will really dread. I tell the client to find someone else. They can probably find someone who knows how to do it, or knows the subject area better than I do. All good clients respect an honest 'beyond my scope'.

Otherwise, if I can't avoid a task I am dreading, I try to work out a strategy.

Deep breath, why do I dread it? What is the problem, and do I know anyone who could help or give advice? What would they say? Or... See more
I do not accept translation tasks or paid work that I will really dread. I tell the client to find someone else. They can probably find someone who knows how to do it, or knows the subject area better than I do. All good clients respect an honest 'beyond my scope'.

Otherwise, if I can't avoid a task I am dreading, I try to work out a strategy.

Deep breath, why do I dread it? What is the problem, and do I know anyone who could help or give advice? What would they say? Or how would they tackle it? Am I just afraid of all those people watching me? They're only human!

What is the best way to start? Is there any way to make it easier?
Should I get the worst over first, or is it better to begin from the bottom and take the edge off the biggest issue?

Am I just short of time, and need to get moving?

If you cut a job down to size, you can concentrate on the task and make progress. ▲ Collapse
 


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Poll: When you have a task that you completely dread, how do you tackle it?






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