Episode 81: Smart Habits for Cultivating Creativity with Mireya Perez

Smart Habits for Translators

Episode 81: Smart Habits for Cultivating Creativity with Mireya Perez

Today’s topic may seem unexpected, but we're sure it will spark some ideas for you, just as it did for us.

If you ask a translator or an interpreter what they like the most about their work, many will say they love learning new things every day and enjoy the creative process that goes into conveying a message from one language to another. Our jobs require creativity and curiosity, so we’re very excited to bring a special guest to join us in discussing how we can cultivate these qualities in our work.

We are thrilled to welcome a colleague, friend, and fellow podcaster Mireya Perez to join us on the podcast.

Mireya began her professional interpreting career after completing her interpreting studies and becoming a certified medical interpreter. She worked as a medical interpreter in both a general and children’s hospital before becoming a staff interpreter in a K-12 public education school district, where she spent nearly a decade helping to highlight the roles of trained interpreters in education. Currently, Mireya is the proud owner of Brand the Interpreter Incorporated, an up-and-coming multimedia learning platform that includes the Brand the Interpreter podcast, a show dedicated to sharing the stories of language professionals from around the world. She holds a master’s degree in communications and enjoys reading and sharing about creativity, personal branding, and strategic communication management.

Tune in to hear our conversation on:

What services Mireya offers, and how her career has evolved over time

How she started her podcast Brand the Interpreter, and what she enjoys the most about being a podcast host

What values led Mireya to become an interpreter, and how they show up in her business

Smart habits that have been crucial in her career, and what habits she no longer practices and why

How she transitioned from being a school district interpreter and translator to a freelancer, and what the transition was like

What systems, processes, or habits help Mireya stay focused and organized while running her business

What she does when she doesn’t feel motivated

Mireya’s thoughts on future-proofing her career

How she cultivates creativity and curiosity

What challenges translators and interpreters run into when it comes to maintaining curiosity at various stages in their careers

How interpreters and translators can boost their creative side and find time and opportunities to engage in creative activities

The advice Mireya would give to her past self

Resources we mentioned in this episode:

Follow Mireya on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Visit the Brand the Intepreter website

Books that Mireya recommended:

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea by Marc Randolph

See the full list of links and resources for this episode: https://smarthabitsfortranslators.com/podcast-episodes/81