How to avoid burnout and be grateful/not complacent?

Going to the DDC program in a week or so, I am extremely happy and proud to have my permit/endorsements as goofy as that sounds, now I’m even more excited for all the new skills I will learn in the DDC program.

As a new potential trucker I feel a kind of inspiration and drive I’ve never had before.

The company I signed a contract with is the largest LTL carrier in the US and is paying top pay, starting.

I don’t want to be one of those ####ty ######## in a few years that becomes entitled or, #####y.
Sorry for language,

Any advice for me? Looking forward to being with this company for a decade at least, the basic rules I can think of are, keep my head down, be reliable and efficient, communicate effectively, and help others grow, don’t tear them down. Not trying to burn myself out though with being a yes man so I need advice on how to navigate saying the word “no”.

truth be told I feel a lot of guilt saying no, but I know it’s something I need to stand my ground on, and after saying yes so many times I get mad, because they should know better to not abuse me.

(Context) I worked a lot of jobs and my favorite jobs I never said no… they kept pushing and eventually I pushed them away for mental health sake

I sound green as #### don’t I.


thank you,

 

Oh I didn’t know everything would be censored!
Well that’s okay, fine with me. Gotta stop swearing like a sailor anyway haha.

 

Set your own goals stick to them. If you're goal is to just work and that is it. Then you wont have a problem your body will shut itself down. It is called balance. There is a time when you should be moving and a time to relax away from work doing your own thing. I find a lot of people who take the wrong jobs at the wrong time. Have a good balance and enjoy your job.

I'm older now certain jobs I'm not doing anymore that was then this is now. I have different goals now. My retirement job is 2 days a Lowe's in the near future

 

There are many negative people in the industry. Bound and determined to be unhappy, dissatisfied, disgruntled and out to make everyone around just like them. Avoid them and the negative air they breathe. Avoid the news and the news media.

Sleep when it’s time for sleep.RECOVERY is to Return to Readiness. Both physically and mentally. Recovery only happens when you are sleep. Don’t want to burn out? Don’t burn the candle at both ends.

Technology today allows you to continue to learn. Learn something new. Continue learning. It will help you think and stay positive. Take your education and improve you. Use it or lose it.

Reward yourself whenever
-you improve your craft/skills.
-you enhance your calm
-you reach a goal

Luck in battle.

 

I’m gonna hang this and frame it.

 

I’m not being facetious by the way, I meant that honestly.


I wish more people were so honest, positive and realistic.

 

After over fifty years in this business I have one plaque on my wall. It reads thus:

Rule number 1 Don't sweat the small stuff.
Rule number 2. It's almost all small stuff.
Rule number 3. See rules number 1 and number 2.

 

I have almost 40 years of mementos and other things on my walls. I have my Air Force Honorable Discharge on my wall behind me. I am proud of my career. The one thing I value the most is in my hallway. It is a small mirror with a sign over it that reads "Here is your largest enemy and the source of all your problems". I try to live by that. Even back in my driving days.

 

Start a list of what you like or are proud about the job and the company when you are new. And don't hang around negative people, or recognize some people complain out of habit or as a way to kill time. For them every complaint is NOT a reason they want to leave but a thing they would like to improve. But, mostly avoid the ones that are complaining and look at your list of reasons you like your job/company. Even if you have to fake being positive until it becomes a habit, it's better than giving your internal complaint monster free reign. You can change your attitudes if you work hard enough. I spent too long thinking I was just blowing off steam or venting and that should let the bad energy leave. It turns out I was more likely just making the bad behavior a habit. Even screaming and yelling when you are alone makes your body react like you are having a heated argument. NOBODY would recommend the way to improve you health is to argue more.

There is a radio host/podcaster named Dennis Prager that is very wise and makes the point ingratitude, or not being grateful is among the most harmful faults one can have because it leads to almost any other fault you can imagine. I don't know if his show/podcast is free, but he is on lots of talk radio stations and I believe he has a free stream of his show 24/7.

 

Don't answer the phone calls from coworkers! There's not much good to come from those calls.

I say that in jest, but there may be some truth to it. Some of my coworkers will call me and just ruin my morning with their endless whining and #####ing. So I started being very selective on taking calls, and they've noticed, and they are all talking amongst each other about it. Avoid the toxic coworkers!
They've also noticed my unusually calm demeanor and it pisses them off that I'm so calm now.

In a nutshell, block out the noise of the outside world, and enjoy the ride. Handle the bad stuff, and forget about it later.

Oh, and don't be afraid to use those vacation days! They're there for a reason!