Change is the Only Constant: Better Get Used to It

Time to read: 4 min.

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Change is the only constant, or the only thing that ever remains the same.

That is a true statement in life, and it’s definitely a true statement in translation.

I’ve worked with many translators over the years.

And one of the things I’ve noticed is that a lot of translators have a hard time accepting that change is inevitable.

Especially in the translation business.

I was working for a translation company once.

The company was still using Windows 95 computers and were thinking of moving to Windows XP.

You would have thought the world was falling apart had you been listening to any of the translators working there.

They literally thought that their world was going to end.

They thought that their whole life work was going to disappear. That they would not know how to move on from this drastic change.

The change wasn’t even that big. It wasn’t like they were moving from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95. I mean, some of them had already done that move and lived to tell the tale.

So why was there so much consternation about the change?

Because most people don’t like change.

It makes them scared.

Humans like to know outcomes. We don’t like to be surprised.

So when something is uncertain, or has the potential of making the future uncertain, we automatically reject it.

But if you want to be successful as a translator, you need to get rid of this mindset that change is bad.

Instead, you need to embrace change.

Here’s why.

Table of Contents

Change Is the Only Constant – It’s Inevitable

You can’t stop things from changing. I can’t stop things from changing. We might try. We might want nothing more to keep things the same.

We might want to keep translating the same way, using the same tools we’ve always used, marketing, contacting clients, getting paid…. all the same way we’ve always done.

But doing things the way we’ve always done will ensure that we never improve and we are always either improving or dying.

Change Is the Only Way To Progress

Chang is growth. And growth, many times, is uncomfortable.

But without growth, there is death. And if you’re not growing as a translator, you’re going to suffer death professionally before too long.

You might not think so at first. But it will happen. A muscle that never changes will atrophy and eventually become useless.

Change Puts You Ahead

Most of your colleagues don’t want to change.

Even further, most of your colleagues don’t want you to change.

Because if you change, that means that they’re standing still. And everyone knows, subconsciously or overtly, that standing still essentially means going backwards.

But if you’re willing to change, you’ll move ahead. Your business will move ahead. Your ability to connect with clients, do your work, become a better business owner… all will become better. Just because you were open to change.

How To Become Comfortable with Change

The first step is actually accepting that change is good.

I know, it’s hard. But it’s a start.

The second step is to get rid of the perfectionism that stands in your way.

Many translators are perfectionists. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Except when it stands in the way of progress.

Nothing is ever perfect. And if you’re waiting for things to be perfect before you make a change, you’ll never make a change.

So instead of waiting for things to be perfect, just take action. Do something. Even if it’s not perfect.

Want to start a side hustle? Do it.

Want to learn another language? Don’t wait. Start now.

The third step is to become comfortable with making mistakes.

Mistakes are inevitable. You’re going to make them. No one is perfect.

But the key is to learn from your mistakes and not repeat them.

And finally, the fourth step is to surround yourself with people who embrace change.

You become like the people you surround yourself with.

If you surround yourself with people who are stuck in their ways and don’t want to change, you’re not going to change.

But if you surround yourself with people who are constantly learning, growing, and changing, you will do the same.

So those are four steps to help you become more comfortable with change.

Change is inevitable. It’s the only way to progress. And if you want to be successful, you need to embrace it.

Benefits of Embracing Change as a Translator

There are many benefits to embracing change as a translator.

Some of the benefits include:

Increased Business Opportunities

When you’re open to change, you’re also open to new opportunities. New opportunities mean new clients and more work. This is a benefit that is hard to ignore.

Improved Translations

If you’re never open to new ideas or ways of doing things, your translations will suffer. But if you’re constantly learning and growing, your translations will improve.