My post Lean Times explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting my business. Like many others in my profession, I’ve seen a workflow drop since 2020 began. Although I continue to have work, I’ve been making half of what I usually do. I felt uneasy at first, but I managed to let go of my worries.
In early April, I wrote From Surviving to Thriving to express gratitude for what I have. Instead of focusing on the lack, I started using my free time to go through my to-do list. I choose to use the situation to my advantage. For example, I got to update my website, take courses, and attend webinars.
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Overdue payments began arriving in May. I also benefited from the U.S. Government Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payment. Yet, I’ve only made $150 in the first half of this month. That may be scary as it looks like a downward trend. Still, I’ve chosen to release all fears and doubts.
Things have indeed been good for the last few weeks. At present, I’m being considered for several jobs. I’ve also been reaching out to new clients and establishing connections. My confidence has only gotten better!
Between April and May, I joined these organizations:
Mediterranean Editors and Translators (MET)
Plain Language Association International (PLAIN)
Spanish Editors Association (SEA)
I’m also a member of the:
American Translators Association (ATA)
Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI)
Utah Translators and Interpreters Association (UTIA)
In Why Get Certified, I wrote about the perks of professional associations. Those often include continuing education opportunities. On that note, I’d like to thank all the people that have been hosting and presenting free webinars. I’m very grateful to have attended the following since the pandemic began:
The Basics of Readability (ACES)
Checking Consistency – How to Use PerfectIt™ for Faster and Better Results (ACES)
Copy Editing for Inbound Marketing (ACES)
Coronavirus Fundamentals for Translators and Interpreters (Blue Urpi)
The Creative World of Transcreation and Copywriting (ATA)
Editing Bibliographies and Texts with Bibliographical References (AUCE & UNICO)
Editing Translations (ACES)
From Surviving to Thriving (Jennifer Nielsen)
How to be an Interpreter or Translator and not go Broke (MATI)
Medical Terminology – Problem Solving through Parallel Texts (ATA)
Translating Diagnostic Imaging (ATA)
Tricks & Pitfalls of Medical Translation (Pablo Mugüerza)
Another freebie that I used was LinkedIn Premium. Anyone on LinkedIn can try it for free for a month. It includes LinkedIn Learning, where you can learn business, creative, and technology skills. These were the courses I took between late March and late April:
Advanced Grammar
Communication Tips
Editing and Proofreading Made Simple
Managing Your Career as an Introvert
Overcoming Procrastination
Writing in Plain English
I’m happy I crossed out many items from my to-do list. For instance, I’ve been updating and translating this website into Catalan and Spanish. That prompted me to revamp my resume and professional profiles as well.
As I’m writing these words, I know work will pick up during the second half of May. Meanwhile, I’ll be taking these online courses and seminars:
Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students (University of Pittsburgh)
Enforcing House Styles – Customizing PerfectIt™ for Advanced Users (ACES)
Inclusive Language Course (ACES)
Just like I recently explained on LinkedIn, I practice gratitude. When you focus on what you’re grateful for, everything starts running more smoothly. Instead of feeling angry and disappointed, I choose to see the glass half full. I know that all is working out for my best interest!