Too busy for training? Smart strategies for freelancers and in-house professionals

Every year, the same thing happens. After a calm start to the year, February arrives, and suddenly, there’s a lot happening! Conferences, webinars, meet-ups, courses… A flood of learning opportunities, both online and in person.

Yet, for many professionals, training is often treated as optional.

It’s the first thing to get postponed when deadlines pile up, and many professionals convince themselves they’ll "get to it later."

But let’s be honest – later rarely happens.

Training isn’t a break from work – it’s an investment in better work.

The key is learning how to integrate it into your schedule and budget without feeling like you’re losing time or money. And with so many accessible options, there’s no excuse to miss out.

So, whether you're a freelancer or working in-house, here's how to take control of your professional development.

Freelancers: Stop falling for the productivity trap

Freelancers often hesitate to invest time in training because it doesn’t produce immediate income. Every hour spent learning feels like an hour not earning, and that mindset can keep you stuck at the same level indefinitely.

But training should never be seen as time lost – it’s time invested in charging higher rates, working faster, and delivering better results.

How to break out of the productivity trap

•  Budget for professional development. Just like you plan for software, marketing, and taxes, training should be part of your annual expenses. Set aside a percentage of your revenue (even if it’s just 2-5%) for courses, mentoring, and industry events. If you see training as an investment, you’ll prioritize it properly.

• Treat training as work. If you wouldn’t cancel a client meeting, don’t cancel training. Block time in your calendar and commit to it.

• Choose ROI-driven training. The best training opportunities should help you:

  • Work faster (e.g., mastering more efficient tools or workflows).

  • Work better (e.g., improving accuracy and reducing revisions).

  • Work smarter (e.g., refining business and marketing strategies to attract higher-paying clients).

• Take advantage of free learning opportunities. Not all training requires a financial investment. Virtual meetings, industry webinars, and even in-person events often offer free access to expert insights – your only investment is time. If you’re not using these resources, you’re leaving value on the table.

In-House Professionals: Make your employer care

If you work in-house, professional development shouldn’t be something you pursue alone – your employer should recognize its value, too. But in reality, many companies don’t prioritize training unless they see a clear benefit. That doesn’t mean you can’t influence change.

How to get employer support for training

 If your employer doesn’t already have a structured training program, here’s how to encourage them to invest in one:

• Make a business case. Instead of saying, “I’d like to take this course,” say, “This training will help us improve regulatory compliance, reducing the need for costly revisions.”

• Propose cost-sharing. If full reimbursement isn’t an option, ask if they’d cover a percentage of the cost, provide paid time off for training, or sponsor attendance at industry conferences.

• Highlight industry standards. Many companies already fund training for other departments (legal, HR, IT). Why should language services be any different?

• Show the impact. If you’ve already taken a course that helped you improve efficiency, highlight that to support future training requests. If your work has improved thanks to previous training, demonstrate those results.

• Leverage free learning options. If budget constraints are an issue, suggest internal training sessions, knowledge-sharing meetings, or participation in free virtual events and webinars. Many reputable organizations provide no-cost access to valuable insights from industry experts. Sometimes, all it takes is asking for the time to attend.

When employers see training as an investment in quality and efficiency rather than just an expense, they’re much more likely to support it. And if your company values employee development, it’s a sign you’re in the right place. If not, then it might be time to ask yourself whether you’re in an environment that truly supports professional growth – or if your skills would be better appreciated elsewhere.

Try peer-to-peer learning

Some of the most valuable learning opportunities come from peer-to-peer knowledge exchange – partnering with other professionals to share skills, insights, and best practices. If you’re not ready to commit to formal training, this can be a great way to keep learning.

How to build a peer-learning network

•  Join professional groups and mentoring programs. Many freelancers and organizations offer opportunities to connect with experienced colleagues. A structured mentoring program can provide direct, tailored advice that accelerates your growth.

• Engage in specialized learning communities. Instead of just following general translation groups, seek out niche communities focused on medical translation and writing.

• Organize skill swaps. Are you confident with regulatory documents but unsure about patient-facing content? Find a colleague who excels in plain language writing and exchange insights. Have strong terminology management skills but need help with reviewing for consistency in style? Connect with an editor who can offer a fresh perspective.

• Attend free virtual and in-person events. Webinars, industry talks, and networking meetups provide accessible ways to learn from experts at no cost. Sometimes, a single insightful conversation can provide more value than hours of self-study.

Training isn’t a distraction – it’s an investment in staying competitive.

If you think you don’t have time for training, consider how much time you lose fixing errors, struggling with inefficient processes, or missing opportunities due to skill gaps. The professionals who stay ahead aren’t the ones who are “too busy” for training – they’re the ones who make time for it.  If you want to improve, you have to invest in yourself.