Proofreading

How to Know if Proofreading is Your Passion

Do you consider yourself an honorary member of the Grammar Police? Are you the type of person who continually corrects other people’s writing in your mind, only offering feedback if you’re asked? (Let’s face it – no one likes a know-it-all, even the people who really do know it all.) Does spotting a typographical error in a document give you goosebumps of glee?

If you answered yes to even one of these questions, then it is quite possible that proofreading is your passion.

Proofreading is Fun for You

I know that proofreading is my passion because it has always been a fun activity for me. While other kids were blasting through the pages of colorful, word-sparse comic books, I was pouring over magazines and newspaper articles, finding grammatical errors, noting misused semicolons, and discovering new terms to later look up and enhance my vocabulary.

A Macbook Air laptop on a colorful desk with pens and notebooks, photo ©Kate Dana
Working as a proofreader in Barranquilla, Colombia. Keyboard spots from excessive typing. Photo © Kate Dana

Do you feel as elated as an athlete winning a tournament when you spot a misspelling within minutes of reading?

Do you feel a spark of excitement when you move a comma and it changes the entire meaning of a sentence?

Do you happily accept requests from others to “review this for any errors,” holding back your enthusiasm for fear of being overworked?

If you find these things fun, then it’s still quite possible that proofreading is your passion.

By the way, that last one about being overworked? It comes from reading about people whose passion turned to pain when they did do too much of what they loved. The secret to this is like everything else in life… know when to take a break.

Then get back in there!

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You Might Enjoy Being a Proofreader If You…

  • possess a natural talent for scanning and evaluating information for clarity and purpose
  • revel in summarizing articles and books to extract the most inclusive, overall synopsis
  • consider the reader, their level of literacy, and their comprehension first when writing
  • strategize quickly and easily to create a plan for optimum productivity

Does this sound like you? Are you curious to discover more about proofreading as a passion? Then start where you are.

It’s never too late to learn new skills and satisfy your curiosity. That’s what I did, and my focus and drive have paid off.

Engage in Your Work

I enjoyed teaching English Literature and Creative Writing immensely and now I enjoy “grading” papers in the working world. When I am proofreading, I am fully engaged in my work. To me, this means focused attention and an eye for detail.

Each day, I put my passion and fun to the test as a communications analyst and blogger. In addition to Spanish translation and online content management, proofreading is part of my day job, and I consider this a gift.

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I love to optimize literary content for better readability. I thrive on peer collaboration that enhances my personal knowledge. I am thrilled when researching word origins and histories, studying tenses, prefixes, and suffixes, and creating informative articles to educate and inspire readers.

Are you engaged in your work? If the answer is no, ask yourself what you can do to improve. Then take the first step!

A laptop next to a paper coffee cup on a patio able outdoors photo ©Ketut Subiyanto for Pexels.com
Take it outside! Proofreading is an excellent profession for remote work. Photo © Pexels

Become the Best Version of Yourself

Here are a few quick tips I recommend to get yourself moving in the direction of your best self! Note: these are all part of my habits in my professional, day-to-day life.

  • Learn new information and share what you know to inspire others. Believe in the law of abundance! If you don’t already know about it you can read more in the fantastic book The Future Is Better Than You Think by Peter H. Diamandis
  • Practice patience and find the “silver lining” when faced with challenges. A challenge is merely an opportunity for you to grow and discover things about yourself, including your potential, your perseverance, and your pet peeves
  • Engage in weekly professional coaching sessions to enhance your well-being. If you’re not already meeting regularly with a coach, find one! A good coach will provide thought-provoking questions and support you in your journey of self-discovery.

“ You have to pursue your dreams. You must ‘‘go for it’’ and not ‘‘for-go it’’! For faith without works is really no faith at all. First, you need a dream, then you need a ‘‘do.’’ Take action!”
― Willie Jolley, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback

Wrap it up and Get Ready

Remember, you can always become what you dreamed of being. Look for inspiration from people who turned their passion into profit and gained insight from experiencing and attempting new adventures. Think of every setback is just a setup for a comeback. Go forward in your life and start today!