You have to know what sparks the light in you

so that you … can illuminate the world.

―Oprah Winfrey

Steve Jobs discovered his passion by asking the question ‘What makes my heart sing?’ The answer to it is different than the answer to the question ‘What do I do?’

Any inspiring story begins with finding a passion and an inspiration.

My story began when I was interpreting for the English-speaking CEO who together with other investors bought a chain of stores in Ukraine. I was a link between him and hundreds of Ukrainian employees.

Over almost three years, my activities ranged from interpreting during investor negotiations, Advisory Board meetings with the former Minister of Finance of Ukraine, conferences with 150 people attending to everyday meetings with the company employees, trips to the stores to meet with store personnel and customers, inspecting the warehouse and huge freezers.

I remember interpreting 8-12 hours a day without even noticing it. I was so involved in the process that it didn’t feel like work. I may forget the subject-matter, but I’ll always remember my feeling while I was doing it. I just love seeing the immediate result from my work when within few minutes, people speaking different languages begin to understand each other.

That experience gave me the inspiration to become an interpreter.

I noticed that I need to reinvent myself every two to three years to prevent burnout.

So, while working at that company, I started to do side translation projects. I loved the feeling of working for myself. I learned a lot about doing business from my boss. So, I was eager to apply that knowledge in practice.

Thus, after the birth of my daughter, I decided to become a full-time freelancer. I wanted to see her grow, so freelancing gave me that opportunity to always be there for my family as well as helped me grow as a person and as a professional. 

At first, it was tough. It was tough to find clients, it was tough to find time to translate, and it was tough to keep balance.

Thanks to the inner conviction that this is what I am supposed to do, I managed to start cooperation with translation companies, mostly in Europe.

My daughter gave me the inspiration to become a self-employed translator and interpreter.

After establishing a routine and becoming quite successful, another transformation happened. (Again after the three-year period).

My husband, our daughter and I moved to Canada. Of course, we were excited! It was our dream!

With the excitement came the realization that I needed to start all over again. As I worked mainly with European companies, cooperation with most of them stopped because of the time difference (5-7 hour difference is a lot). Though, some of the loyal clients remained. I’m truly grateful to them.

I started sending emails to translation agencies in Canada and the USA. Also, I focused on finding direct clients for translation. At first, things were slow. But I understand that in order to succeed I need to keep going. I am committed to making my freelancing career a successful business.

Beginning your life all over again is always difficult. Especially, if you’re on another continent without relatives or friends. To survive, you need to find the one thing that makes you get up in the morning and burn the midnight oil. That thing is a translation for me.

We’ve been here for 18 months now, and I feel that if you’re working hard, you’ll achieve success. It’s the land of opportunities. Opportunities that are accessible to anyone.

The move to another country gave me the inspiration to become an entrepreneur.

I wonder what will happen in the next three years 🙂 Whatever happens, I am sure it will be for the best and I will make it work.

All these adversities make us who we are. Without pain, we cannot develop and become the best representations of ourselves that we can become.

Share your passion. Ask yourself, ‘What makes my heart sing?’

ABOUT OLGA BODNAR

Olga Bodnar is an English, Ukrainian, and Russian translator, editor, and interpreter with ten years of translation industry experience. Originally from Ukraine, she now lives in Canada. Her speciality lies in business, marketing, and law. Olga volunteers at the Legal Aid Clinic and the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services. She holds a Master’s Degree in Translation and she is the Candidate for Certification in Translation (ATIO).

Olga is the author of the Translation Client Guidance. Her mission is to inform and educate clients how to buy translation.