{"id":4567,"date":"2017-03-09T09:05:37","date_gmt":"2017-03-09T13:05:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/ID\/?p=4567"},"modified":"2018-11-05T18:31:37","modified_gmt":"2018-11-05T22:31:37","slug":"im-not-perfect-in-every-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/ID\/im-not-perfect-in-every-way\/","title":{"rendered":"What do you mean I’m not perfect in every way?!?"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Roberta Barroca<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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Well, she\u2019s at it again! Bringing levity\u00a0with serious subjects and making us laugh\u2026 at ourselves mainly. Totally relatable. Another fun article from Roberta, on a topic that will undoubtedly give you pause, maybe teach you something, and definitely elicit a chuckle or two. Laughter is the best medicine, after all, and I know that I\u2019m healthier for it! Enjoy!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lorena Ortiz Schneider,\u00a0e-Voice Editor<\/em><\/p>\n

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\"[woman\u201cI don\u2019t have to listen to that nonsense!\u201d says my ego every time someone criticizes me.\u00a0 \u201cThey just want to bring me down, they envy my brilliance.\u00a0 My parents think I\u2019m the most awesome-est person alive.\u00a0 Yes, that\u2019s how superlative I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then reason kicks in and asks: \u201cWhat if they\u2019re right?\u00a0 What if there really are areas you need to improve?\u00a0 Shouldn\u2019t you work on those?\u201d<\/p>\n

I guess being criticized is not easy for any of us. \u00a0But I do believe we should find a healthy balance in being open to other people\u2019s observations and yet immune to them at the same time.\u00a0 Confusing?\u00a0 Tell me about it!<\/p>\n

\u201cYo, crazy lady, what does that have to do with interpreting?`\u201d shouts my own relentless inner critic.<\/p>\n

I guess being criticized is not easy for any of us<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n

Well\u2026as interpreters we are very exposed, and therefore subject to criticism.\u00a0 In consecutive, we normally stand in front of a crowd that usually has a better mastery of the subject than we do. \u00a0In simultaneous, although we are somewhat hidden, our voice is reaching our listeners like a whisper from a very close friend (or enemy, if you sound like nails on a chalkboard).\u00a0 So don\u2019t go assuming the booth is a warm, cozy womb that protects us from the outer world\u2014it really doesn\u2019t.\u00a0 You were pushed out of your mom\u2019s womb a long time ago.\u00a0 Get over it. \u00a0The truth is that our performance, behavior and even our clothing are analyzed by our clients, listeners and peers.\u00a0 So given that being judged is part of our profession, we need to handle it well.<\/p>\n

When receiving positive feedback, it\u2019s important not to get conceited or complacent.\u00a0 When it\u2019s negative, we must be careful not to freeze like a deer in the headlights.\u00a0 It\u2019s also a good idea to take criticism with a grain of salt.\u00a0 Not all of it is honest and selfless.<\/p>\n

When receiving positive feedback, it\u2019s important not to get conceited or complacent<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n

After giving this topic a lot of thought lately, I have come up with a highly scientific method (yeah, right) to distinguish genuine feedback from flattery or projection, or even pure BS.\u00a0 Here it goes:<\/p>\n