Episode 17: Coping With Quiet Work Periods

This topic was a request from one of our listeners, and we thought it would likely apply to the current situation when many of us are feeling a lull in our work—or maybe even some patchy spots when work is busy for a week and then completely quiet the next—because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the global economy.

We’ll also talk about other situations when you might experience a quiet work period, like holidays, summer vacation, or those times when you have unresponsive clients.

So, today, we’ll share our perspective and tips on how to get through these quiet work periods successfully by employing some smart habits.

Here is a summary of our conversation:

• Why it’s important not to overreact, but instead, to think about the situation in a calm, constructive manner

• What you can do when work slows down or dries up in emergency situations (like the current COVID-19 crisis)

• How to “nudge” existing clients and contact new ones in a graceful and respectful way

• How to go about expanding your service offerings, looking at other areas where your clients may need you—maybe pivoting

• How to create meaningful professional partnerships with colleagues

• What you can do to incorporate professional development into your schedule

• Why you may want to use the quiet work periods to volunteer with professional associations or become a mentor

• What you can do to improve your website and marketing materials

• How to contact unresponsive clients and not looks “salesy”

• How to plan for those times of year when work tends to slow down

• Why it’s so important to keep some perspective during slow work times

Books and resources we mentioned in this episode:

• Our giveaway to celebrate 6 months of your support

• Episode 2: Impostor Syndrome

• Episode 12: Financial Habits for a Healthy Business with Susie Jackson

• Episode 14: Smart Habits during Social Isolation: A Special Episode with Sara Maria Hasbun

• Episode 15: Smart Sleep Habits

• Helpful blog posts by Madalena:

  • Marketing T&I Services during a Pandemic: Why You Should Do It and How to Get It Right

  • How to Care for the Health of Your Translation or Interpreting Business during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Our listeners’ smart habit hacks:

  • Weighted blanket

“The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”

— Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for listening!

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