Another great post. Thank you! Your last point really echoed with me. It took me a long time to understand that I could achieve my goals by working a little bit on a regular basis, rather than setting aside a whole day once every couple of weeks to work on them. One day I came across the SMART principle, which advises that you make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. I realised that by breaking my goals down into smaller objectives, and then sub-dividing them into even smaller tasks, I could get far more done and–more importantly–enjoy a sense of achievement on working towards my goals. It is incredibly self-empowering to know that I am taking my destiny into my own hands, and I make sure that each of my objectives push me slightly out of my comfort zone–not enough to make me freak out, but enough that I get an adrenaline rush on accomplishing them. This is the recipe for success that seems to be working for me!

For the past months I have been trying (and still am) to build up a freelance career aside my partime job. website, bussiness cards to start marketing, etc.

When I first started seriously I read your bought, which really gave me the courage: ‘I can do this’. But things are getting so ready I need to be taking the next step, and I am experiencing exactly what you mention in your post today. I know I can do it, I know it is justa question of insistence and hard work, but somehow my mind gets blocked with negative ideas that hold me back. Suddenly what was a clear plan of action is so hard to do (for no reason at all!) that I think I need to be having a second read of ‘How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator’ and get the inspiration back.

So I will take your word for it and start shaking off me those negative ideas.

Again, thank you so much, you do not know how much you have helped me and what a perfect timing your posts have!

Like many, I was raised to not toot my own horn and to deprecate compliments received – a recipe that guarantees self-created roadblocks.

I’ve become somewhat more gracious in accepting compliments and/or positive feedback since one of my mentors got ticked off one day, looked me straight in the eye and said: “Do you know each time you minimize or reject a compliment you are in fact rejecting the other person and denying them their right to their opinion?”

I had never thought about it that way, but he was right.

Your file of positive reinforcement is not a cheesy idea. I keep a folder in my e-mail program called “Complements” that I refer to whenever I need a boost. It certainly helps when someone complains about my style to look in the program and realize some people appreciate my translation style. Luckily I haven’t had to refer to the folder in a while…