| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Are you easily distracted from translating? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Are you easily distracted from translating?".
This poll was originally submitted by ryancolm
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see:... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Are you easily distracted from translating?".
This poll was originally submitted by ryancolm
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629 ▲ Collapse
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If I did, I think I'd better change my job.
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Perhaps it has a lot to do with being a lawyer in mainstream practice - when everything revolved around the number of hours billed - but I still focus on earning as much as possible per hour.
Two reasons: firstly the money, obviously, and secondly, and more importantly, the less distracted I am, the more time I have off evenings and weekends to spend with my family and friends.
I went through a stage last year when a colleague bugged me incessantly on Skype with questio... See more Perhaps it has a lot to do with being a lawyer in mainstream practice - when everything revolved around the number of hours billed - but I still focus on earning as much as possible per hour.
Two reasons: firstly the money, obviously, and secondly, and more importantly, the less distracted I am, the more time I have off evenings and weekends to spend with my family and friends.
I went through a stage last year when a colleague bugged me incessantly on Skype with questions/very idle gossip. Since blocking her, which may not seem like a very "nice" thing to do (but it wasn't before warnings went unheeded), my productivity has soared.
Bottom line is, this is a job like any other. I aim to get it done quickly and correctly first time round - life is too short to be spent in front of a screen. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | No, I don't allow | Nov 11, 2007 |
When I translate, my multitasking capability is turned off. I just don't allow myself to be distracted. No TV or music at all. I get so engrossed in translating and researching the terms. I usually answer chat messages during my break.
[Edited at 2007-11-11 16:07]
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patyjs 
Mexico
Local time: 22:09
Spanish to English
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I answered no because I find deadlines are wonderful for keeping me focused. I am actually a very easily distracted person (ADD) but being a translator is, perhaps, the first job where this is not a problem for me. Having to keep to strict deadlines is wonderful. I am able to keep my head down and keep working.
Give me a job with a distant deadline, however, and I am distracted by anything that moves or makes a sound. Inevitably it takes me about 80% of the time to do the firs... See more I answered no because I find deadlines are wonderful for keeping me focused. I am actually a very easily distracted person (ADD) but being a translator is, perhaps, the first job where this is not a problem for me. Having to keep to strict deadlines is wonderful. I am able to keep my head down and keep working.
Give me a job with a distant deadline, however, and I am distracted by anything that moves or makes a sound. Inevitably it takes me about 80% of the time to do the first 20% of the job, and 20% of the time to do the remaining 80%! 
paty ▲ Collapse
| | | | John Cutler
Spain
Local time: 06:09
Spanish to English
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| Absolutely yes | Nov 11, 2007 |
Maybe it's a guy thing but my attention span is not what I'd call "long-lasting".
I do put my "pause" time to good use though by answering Kudoz questions or reading/participating in forums, polls, etc.
| | | | Miet Ooms
Belgium
Local time: 06:09
German to Dutch
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I chat with family and listen to the radio while translating. But this doesn't distract me at all, in contrary, without radio or any other sound around me, or without anyone to chat with, I wouldn't be able to concentrate enough... I had the same 'problem' (or tactic) during my studies.
| | | | | Most of them | Nov 11, 2007 |
I surf the net
Watch the news
Answer the phone
Check email
Prepare my classes
Grade exams
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Aline Canino
France
Local time: 06:09
Chinese to French
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Usually I can do 2 things or more in the same time but when I am translating I can't. I tried one time but I forgot what I was reading just before, get angry against myself and...return to translation.
| | | | Andrea Riffo
Chile
Local time: 00:09
English to Spanish
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Exactly my situation, from the ADD to the time-management peculiarity when faced with distant deadlines.
patyjs wrote: I answered no because I find deadlines are wonderful for keeping me focused. I am actually a very easily distracted person (ADD) but being a translator is, perhaps, the first job where this is not a problem for me. Having to keep to strict deadlines is wonderful. I am able to keep my head down and keep working. Give me a job with a distant deadline, however, and I am distracted by anything that moves or makes a sound. Inevitably it takes me about 80% of the time to do the first 20% of the job, and 20% of the time to do the remaining 80%! paty
Glad to know I'm not alone
[Edited at 2007-11-11 21:34]
| | | | Fabio Descalzi
Uruguay
Local time: 01:09
Member (2004)
German to Spanish
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| Chat + Skype: the best break at night | Nov 11, 2007 |
Whenever I have a tight deadline and must work during the night, I help get going with short chats with friends who are awake.
I don't consider this really a "distraction", but a much-needed human touch in an otherwise unending routine (yes: lately, working late at night has turned out to be a routine).
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I can do more than one thing at a time .... internet researching, check email while running two computers, answer the phone, answering skype or MS messenger, check the oven for proper temperature for my baking, look outside for possible Fedex and other carrier delivery, answering the door for occassional visitors, make tea to quench my thirst, etc., all these while I am translating.
Then check ProZ for interesting KudoZ questions or poll questions just to get my mind off from deman... See more I can do more than one thing at a time .... internet researching, check email while running two computers, answer the phone, answering skype or MS messenger, check the oven for proper temperature for my baking, look outside for possible Fedex and other carrier delivery, answering the door for occassional visitors, make tea to quench my thirst, etc., all these while I am translating.
Then check ProZ for interesting KudoZ questions or poll questions just to get my mind off from demanding translation job too.
I'm seldom distructed or carried away for further surfing or other things, and immediately go back to translating.
I must be a single-minded multitasker, hah?
[Edited at 2007-11-12 02:07] ▲ Collapse
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That's not to say that I don't take frequent short breaks, especially when I'm in the revising stage, and I do tend to look at incoming emails straightaway. But they're not distractions - that's just the way I work.
| | | | Marcelo Silveyra
United States
Local time: 21:09
Member (2007)
German to English
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| I cracked up when I saw the videogames option | Nov 12, 2007 |
I spent the last three days beating the Xbox version of Ninja Gaiden on "Very Hard" - I guess anyone who has ever played the game knows why it took me around 30 hours to do so (also, my wife's not home and I cut one of my fingers while cooking, so I can't practice guitar or piano right now - both very encouraging elements to play that much). But I didn't start playing until I finished my work for each day, so I guess my answer is "no." I can take breaks and stop working for a bit, but I don't ... See more I spent the last three days beating the Xbox version of Ninja Gaiden on "Very Hard" - I guess anyone who has ever played the game knows why it took me around 30 hours to do so (also, my wife's not home and I cut one of my fingers while cooking, so I can't practice guitar or piano right now - both very encouraging elements to play that much). But I didn't start playing until I finished my work for each day, so I guess my answer is "no." I can take breaks and stop working for a bit, but I don't get distracted per se while I'm working on something.
I do, however, listen to music while I'm translating (but not during proofreading, it short-circuits my brain).
[Edited at 2007-11-12 08:56] ▲ Collapse
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I do the following: choose "start-->programs-->games-->free cell/spider solitaire/minesweeper"
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