| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: When accepting deadlines, do you put your health first (eating, sleeping, etc)? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When accepting deadlines, do you put your health first (eating, sleeping, etc)?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Lieven Malaise 
Belgium
Local time: 21:52
Member (2020)
French to Dutch
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I closely monitor my earnings. If I'm below average at a certain point in time, I go the extra mile with long hours and little sleep, if necessary.
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Always. I am responsible for my physical and mental health, not for my clients' time management, organization issues or unrealistic expectations.
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In the very beginning I pulled numerous all-nighters in the process of meeting deadlines and I’m sure I have gained a few grey hairs and extra pounds, but now (40 years later) I know myself quite well, I learned to say “no”, I never bite off more than I can chew and over the years I have learned the importance of taking time out for myself! On top of all this, I mainly work with regular customers who don't make unrealistic requests, and only very occasionally do I get an urgent request...
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| Always put health first | Jul 17, 2025 |
"Gambling" with such things is extremely dangerous.
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Up to a point, late nights do not bother me, and I work best late in the day. So it is quite normal for me to sit up until a job is finished to make sure I meet a morning deadline. But not long after 2 am any more!
Back in the day I would take an all-night job, especially for good clients and a higher rate, but they often meant a migraine attack next day. Even with medication I needed to take extra time off, so that had to be included in my calculations of whether it was worth it. I... See more Up to a point, late nights do not bother me, and I work best late in the day. So it is quite normal for me to sit up until a job is finished to make sure I meet a morning deadline. But not long after 2 am any more!
Back in the day I would take an all-night job, especially for good clients and a higher rate, but they often meant a migraine attack next day. Even with medication I needed to take extra time off, so that had to be included in my calculations of whether it was worth it. I feel fine, but still make stupid mistakes if I try to work, so if I could not negotiate a better deadline, I would say no thanks.
I ALWAYS take a break for a quick snack, a breath of air or a cup of coffee when needed. I end up thinking more clearly and making fewer typos, so it definitely pays! ▲ Collapse
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I strive to stay healthy, which includes getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly. However, working with deadlines can be challenging at times, and it’s not uncommon to end up working longer hours or even at weekends. I try to compensate it afterwards, but it’s all part of the game.
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This reminds me of a quote from former 80s/90s McLaren Team Director, Ron Dennis: “To finish first, you first have to finish.”
I mean, I can't work well if I don't feel well, like I like to say: I work to live, not live to work. I clearly ain't a workaholic. 
Also, I agree with @Marco, it's too dangerous to jeopardize our health.
And I must say that I'm amazed by the almost 10% of "No." replies. 
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Liena V.
Latvia
Local time: 22:52
Member (2014)
French to Latvian
+ ...
I am not a firefighter or an emergency physician, if I know I won't make it without undue stress or a change of plans I will try to negotiate a better deadline and it almost always works. If not, then I will, unfortunately, have to refuse. Very few jobs are worth the sacrifice.
| | | | Mario Chávez
United States
Local time: 15:52
English to Spanish
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| Wallet first, health second | Jul 17, 2025 |
My health is worth nothin' if I can't have the money to afford health care.
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If only to keep enough life points ready to waste joyfully on unhealthy behaviours when not on duty.
Philippe
| | | | IrinaN (X)
United States
Local time: 14:52
English to Russian
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| Life is dangerous | Jul 18, 2025 |
We die from it.
I can't imagine a deadline that would force me to starve, and I've always slept tighter thinking of yet another pretty and prettier Total in my invoice. Resulting high spirits followed by beach vacations made up for occasional firefighting.
@Mario - your dark US humor can't be heart-felt by Europeans, hence no Agrees.
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Daryo
Local time: 20:52
Serbian to English
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| But there's no reason to rush ... | Jul 25, 2025 |
IrinaN wrote:
Life is dangerous We die from it.
I can't imagine a deadline that would force me to starve, and I've always slept tighter thinking of yet another pretty and prettier Total in my invoice. Resulting high spirits followed by beach vacations made up for occasional firefighting.
@Mario - your dark US humor can't be heart-felt by Europeans, hence no Agrees .
'Life is dangerous We die from it.'
Couldn’t be more true ... but
There's no reason to rush!
I didn't get to my age - and still in pretty good working order - by not putting my health first (second and third also).
| | | | Le Zhang
China
Local time: 03:52
Member (2021)
English to Chinese
+ ...
| eye health worries me more than anything else | Jul 26, 2025 |
I have very bad eyesight and constantly worry about my eye health. So I dare not work too much, especially long into night.
And, I don't think we need to work that much. I know some Chinese translators work day and night and earn a lot, but my current easy mode provides me enough income to live a relatively free, abundant life.
That's why I love this profession. It's one of the rare fields where we can be our own boss, have a normal work-life balance and freedom to cont... See more I have very bad eyesight and constantly worry about my eye health. So I dare not work too much, especially long into night.
And, I don't think we need to work that much. I know some Chinese translators work day and night and earn a lot, but my current easy mode provides me enough income to live a relatively free, abundant life.
That's why I love this profession. It's one of the rare fields where we can be our own boss, have a normal work-life balance and freedom to control our time and work. I mean in China, I'm living in a workaholic country where labor law barely exists. ▲ Collapse
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Always, as I simply don't function if I'm tired out and probably make more mistakes and won't understand a simple phrase and I'll have to go over it all the next day. I'm more of a day person definitely. Besides, my eyes begin to smart when I stay working late, so I give up beyond a certain point.
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