Страници во темата:   [1 2] >
Poll: How long do you work before taking a break?
Лице кое објавува дискусија: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ПЕРСОНАЛ НА СТРАНИЦАТА
Oct 3, 2013

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How long do you work before taking a break?".

View the poll results »



 
Tim Drayton (X)
Tim Drayton (X)  Identity Verified
Кипар
Local time: 15:46
турски на англиски
+ ...
2-7 hours Oct 3, 2013

I have been keeping a diary of my working hours this year, including the times that I stop for breaks (apart from short breaks to attend to calls of nature or put the kettle on). I see that, at times when I have been working at full capacity, the length of the stints that I put in ranges from two to seven hours, with four hours probably being about average.

 
Patricia Prevost
Patricia Prevost  Identity Verified
Шпанија
Local time: 14:46
англиски на шпански
+ ...
It depends Oct 3, 2013

It is difficult to say. I guess it depends on how long I have been working, what time it is, or even the subject (extensive resarch involved). However, I don't think I take breaks before 40 or 50 minutes. Very short breaks, I mean.

[Edited at 2013-10-03 08:21 GMT]


 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Португалија
Local time: 13:46
Член (2007)
англиски на португалски
+ ...
Other Oct 3, 2013

It depends on a lot of factors: my mood (Am I tired? Did I sleep well?), the subject (really interesting or dead boring?), the deadline (urgent or loose?), the telephone (is it one of those days when it rings all the time?), the weather (sunny or grey?)…

[Edited at 2013-10-03 09:25 GMT]


 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Јапонија
Local time: 21:46
јапонски на англиски
Depends tremendously Oct 3, 2013

On factors like your

- biorhythm
- deadlines (i.e. is a gun being held against your head)
- lack of deadlines
- physical condition
- degree of focus and concentration
- amount of sleep you got the night before
- weather (i.e. is it 38C outside with 80 to 90% humidity), or
- you aren't just in the mood to work
etc., etc., etc.

My answer ">3" because I'm like a steamroller when the engine is revved up. Vrmm vrmm ...
See more
On factors like your

- biorhythm
- deadlines (i.e. is a gun being held against your head)
- lack of deadlines
- physical condition
- degree of focus and concentration
- amount of sleep you got the night before
- weather (i.e. is it 38C outside with 80 to 90% humidity), or
- you aren't just in the mood to work
etc., etc., etc.

My answer ">3" because I'm like a steamroller when the engine is revved up. Vrmm vrmm

BTW, what's a "break?" I wouldn't consider putting the washing out or doing the dishes a break, even though it can take your mind off things.
Collapse


 
Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
Muriel Vasconcellos (X)  Identity Verified
Соединети Американски Држави
Local time: 05:46
шпански на англиски
+ ...
I lose track of time Oct 3, 2013

When I'm concentrating on a translation I lose all sense of time passing. I'm always surprised when I notice what time it is and realize how long I've been working.

 
neilmac
neilmac
Шпанија
Local time: 14:46
шпански на англиски
+ ...
Other Oct 3, 2013

It depends on how you define "break". I more or less regard any time spent away from my PC screen as a break. And, as with most things, it varies, as other colleagues have already mentioned.

 
Tatty
Tatty  Identity Verified
Local time: 14:46
шпански на англиски
+ ...
The meaning of break Oct 3, 2013

I would define a break as going to the loo, making a cup of tea, hanging the washing out. Otherwise, I would only break for lunch for about an hour, and dinner.

 
If only the question was... Oct 3, 2013

How long do you break before doing some work?

 
Giovanna Alessandra Meloni
Giovanna Alessandra Meloni  Identity Verified
Италија
Local time: 14:46
шпански на италијански
+ ...
Other Oct 3, 2013

It depends on different factors, I read many of them in some replies here.
Moreover, I think it depends on the format of the file to be translated. I usually need a break (or, better, my eyes need it) if there are many tables or codes or other elements that can strain my (poor) eyes.


 
Allison Wright (X)
Allison Wright (X)  Identity Verified
Португалија
Local time: 13:46
1-2 hours Oct 3, 2013

Tatty wrote:

I would define a break as going to the loo, making a cup of tea, hanging the washing out. Otherwise, I would only break for lunch for about an hour, and dinner.


With Tatty, here.

A break would be any time not spent actually translating or doing translation-related work (answering e-mails, term research), and most definitely a break when it involves getting off my chair.

I have been known, like Muriel, to lose track of time, and sometimes find that I am hanging washing on the line about 4 hours after the machine cycle stopped.


[Edited at 2013-10-03 15:07 GMT]


 
Helen Hagon
Helen Hagon  Identity Verified
Local time: 13:46
руски на англиски
+ ...
1-2 hours Oct 3, 2013

For me, a break means anything that involves being away from the computer and stretching my legs. I have regular short breaks of a couple of minutes or so to make a coffee or load the washing machine, and a longer break at lunchtime when I like to go out for some fresh air. However, if a deadline is looming, the longer break may suffer.

 
Mario Chavez (X)
Mario Chavez (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 08:46
англиски на шпански
+ ...
I would care about how long I work before I take a break... Oct 3, 2013

...if I had an obsessive compulsion to keep track of time, like someone's manager or an autistic person with feverish attention to detail (no offense to autists, though).

In this sea of inconsequential minutiae, do we really care about how many minutes we work before our next break? Do we keep track? We are animals of habit, for pete's sake. Is someone trying to get some “professional advice” or standard to shape his/her workday?

I don't care what you or others thin
... See more
...if I had an obsessive compulsion to keep track of time, like someone's manager or an autistic person with feverish attention to detail (no offense to autists, though).

In this sea of inconsequential minutiae, do we really care about how many minutes we work before our next break? Do we keep track? We are animals of habit, for pete's sake. Is someone trying to get some “professional advice” or standard to shape his/her workday?

I don't care what you or others think, but I naturally analyze facts and questions for usefulness and relevance, and call it as I see it.
Collapse


 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Германија
Local time: 14:46
Член (2009)
англиски на германски
+ ...
How about "Whenever I need one"? Oct 3, 2013

First of all, I don't track my actual working time between breaks, unless I charge by the hour.

If the translation flows easily and the project is interesting or fun, then I usually keep on working until its completed.

If the field requires a lot of research and / or many varification emails with the client (which is more tiring), then the working period between breaks might be shorter. Again, there is no estimate of the work hours because I don't "keep" time.
... See more
First of all, I don't track my actual working time between breaks, unless I charge by the hour.

If the translation flows easily and the project is interesting or fun, then I usually keep on working until its completed.

If the field requires a lot of research and / or many varification emails with the client (which is more tiring), then the working period between breaks might be shorter. Again, there is no estimate of the work hours because I don't "keep" time.

The working hours between breaks also depend on the delivery deadline. In case of a very tight one breaks will be limited to the absolute necessity. If the deadline can be easily met, then there might be more frequent breaks.

In short, I normally take a break when I need it, regardless of how many or how few hours I've been working.
Collapse


 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Португалија
Local time: 13:46
Член (2007)
англиски на португалски
+ ...
Only 4 hours? Oct 3, 2013

Allison Wright wrote:

I have been known, like Muriel, to lose track of time, and sometimes find that I am hanging washing on the line about 4 hours after the machine cycle stopped.


You wouldn't believe how many times I found out next morning that I had completely forgotten to hang up the washed clothes...


 
Страници во темата:   [1 2] >


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Модератори на овој форум
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: How long do you work before taking a break?






LinguaCore
AI Translation at Your Fingertips

The underlying LLM technology of LinguaCore offers AI translations of unprecedented quality. Quick and simple. Add a human linguistic review at the end for expert-level quality at a fraction of the cost and time.

More info »
Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »