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starxtrouble

Ive just done what feels like career suicide Ive just had to tell an agency after 1.5 days of having a file that I cant do it (i reallly underestimated how long it was going to take me to do and how hard it was... and the deadline is 3pm this afternoon) It was my first job for this client as well... I dont think I'll be getting anymore.

I feel so ashamed and guilty and embarrassed :S

tyllwyd

starxtrouble wrote: »

I feel so ashamed and guilty and embarrassed :S

That's a horrible situation - you are a translator, aren't you? Have you given up on it completely or are you still going to finish it when you can?

I hate that feeling when I don't feel that I've done a good job. I've never been in quite your situation because I'm a book editor, so the deadlines are longer and (sometimes) a bit flexible. Fingers crossed the agency will give you another chance - but then, if their work doesn't suit you, maybe that's just one of those things.

Horace

Maybe the agency set an unrealistic deadline? Fingers crossed that you will get some more work from the client, no sensible person would expect a large and probably complicated text to be translated within such a short time frame.

I am feeling kind of scared and excited all rolled into one today - part of me is grinning like a cheshire cat and the other part of me is thinking "what the hell have I done?" I am just having a confidence crisis as I know that I can do whatever is required but I haven't 'worked' for a long time:eek:

The meeting today went exceedingly well and I shall now be working with the company, they will book my time to organise events for clients and I will bill the company (I will look as though I am the same company - if you get my drift) and I will get 15% also if I use the company for any event or wedding then their string quartets etc become my string quartets and then I give the company 15% as I can always add that to the fee:cool: This will open so many doors for me as I will be working on all sorts of events from concerts, speaking events, training courses, conferences, gala dinners, product launches, you name it I will be doing it - plus there is more money in corporate events. All I need to do now is write a couple of paragraphs about me and what I can do and that will be put on the company's website:cool:

I was so amazed that I walked from the hotel (no point in getting on the bus for one stop) and went past High & Mighty and spotted that they have started doing men's wedding hire so I went in left my card and came away with their brochure and the promise that they will direct couples to me:D I then went into Selfridges and bought some new clothes from Fenn Wright & Manson (2 skirts, 2 jackets, 1 top, 2 scarves) and then came the embarrassing bit, my amex card was rejected now I know that I have a massive credit limit and I am nowhere near the top end of it - after ringing them and hanging on the phone for an age they turn round and say we have blocked your card because we havent received payment - now I sent this via my internet bank on 28 July, so I had to speak to this really rude man (transferred I am sure from a UK call centre to flippin' India:mad:) and I had to tell him to stop shouting at me and treating me like an idiot, I told him to sort out my card forthwith otherwise I would cut up the card and never use Amex again and would tell all my business friends not to use Amex either - surprise surprise I got the card reinstated and had to wait 5-10 minutes before I could use it (had lunch in the meantime). I was mortified when the card was rejected and then I said to the silly little man that I was collecting a cheque from my solicitor which would more than cover the outstanding balance - to which he said give me your debit card details and we will withdraw the money - my answer - not on your nelly, I will do a bank transfer via my internet bank (do I look as though I am green with knobs on). Well, in the end I didnt collect the cheque I am getting it tomorrow as I felt quite ill by the time I got to the bus stop (was going to go part way round the city and then get off and walk a mile to the solicitors), so I rang the solicitor and made arrangements to collect it tomorrow instead:D As for Amex they can go and dice carrots on the motorway:rotfl:

moneymabel

Congrats on your day Horace that sounds like a great deal with that company! And good on you standing up to the idiots at Amex.

I've been a good girl as promised and have delivered some flyers :-)

Horace

moneymabel wrote: »

I've been a good girl as promised and have delivered some flyers :-)

Well done Mabel:T Hope you didnt get too sunburnt? Its hot out there (too hot to be wearing business suits at least:rolleyes:). I feel a bit naughty buying a load of clothes from Fenn Wright & Manson too but they will be needed for the kind of circles I will be mixing in. I have been quite cunning with the key items that I have because they can all be mixed and matched:D

TCM_3

Star - if your client has what we say here "a titter of wit" they will come back to you with work and appreciate your honesty. I have learned there is no point in telling someone you can do it my lunchtime and even if you work non stop you're still no where near it and then you pass the deadline and they say "why didn't you tell me". I hope they can see your honesty.

Mabel - well done!!!!!!!!! Bet you feel good now! I think you should sit back and reap the rewards and I hope they come in bucket loads for you.

Horace - good heavens... you're on a roll too!!! I am so pleased that we all seem to be moving in the right direction at last, albeit slowly and that the hard work, blood, sweat, bad language, bad thoughts, and in alot of cases, tears, are paying off!

I've been really busy in the shop too but have a small mountain the size of Everest of rugs to fix which I HATE doing but feel so much better when I get them done. My back has been sore the past few days which is why i haven't them done... what other excuses can i think of....

On a brighter note, I did not suffocate the OH with a pillow - although it did cross my mind - I very nearly belted him with a coat hanger this morning as he was getting on my wick complaining that the shop "was low on this thing and that thing" yet if he had only open his blessed eyes! I felt the coat hanger was not heavy enough to have the desired affect! Have a bottle of wine for tonight that a customer brought me today to say thank you for just being nice, which i think is COOOOOLLLLLL!

Will raise a glass to you all later,
T xx

Horace

I am glad that you didnt suffocate OH with a pillow TCM - he might have his uses yet:rotfl: Now one springs to mind - you have rugs to fix which you hate doing..he is obviously at a loose end if he makes comments about apparent low stock, problem solved let him fix the rugs as that will keep him out of mischief whilst you concentrate on more important things:D Well done on getting a bottle of wine - I would crack open a bottle but it would be wasted as I am still not allowed to drink (too many meds) so I shall celebrate with a glass of vimto instead (cheapskate:rotfl:).

I am bricking this event thing to be honest with you but its the fear of the unknown I guess and the fact that I am still stunned.:rolleyes:

Enjoy the wine and remember give the rugs to OH to fix:rotfl:

moneymabel

Thanks TCM and Horace . Try hitting OH with the shop till- much more satisfying!!

Mudbath

Hiya everyone
It's been aggggeeeeesssss since I posted on here. Good to see you're all keeping busy. I got very excited today as I got my first client via my website!!!! I've spent a while getting it up the rankings in google.....through links, advertising on free sites etc and today someone phoned! She only lives in the next street to me too so that's brilliant! (can you tell i'm excited??!)

Mizmir - hope things are going well for you. The dog training sounds hard work but great fun. I'd just found a good place to take my dog (well, me really!) but then she broke her leg so we're on hold for a while. I'm not looking forward to taking her out on a lead again as she will pull like crazy having gone 6 weeks with no proper walking! Good luck.

Welcome to all the new people on the thread and a big hello again to all the oldies!! xx

ally_bally_3

My contribution to this thread is pathetic but I do read and run often and its so nice to hear about other people's work successes (and also the rants). Find it hard to be a DFW when you have no 'set income' every month. I know roughly what I am going to get but find it hard to budget as much as I would like to.

Well this week I have been as productive as I could be - been struck down with swine flu so not been allowed to leave the house since Saturday. Luckily I had lots of work to do for clients at home but had to cancel a few days work out with clients and a couple of meetings (and 3 Mystery Shops!). Everyone very understanding! Have been a good girl though and got someone to start designing my website (which I have been meaning to do for ages). I did some research which I needed to do and today spent 5 hours collating last years expenses then submitted by tax return. Its not due til October but at least its off the list!

Hope everyone else is having a good week...