Attitude

Regardless of your occupation. It's good to bring up what effects us the most on our jobs. Attitude being the biggest. A lot of times we get caught up in our on world. We tend to forget why we're out making a living. Tending to our customers needs is what supports our families. But, having that since of pride when you look back and say to yourself, I gave it 110%. That's the best attitude you can have. People around you pick up on that real quick. I've always had a good attitude towards work and others. I treat people the way I would want to be treated.
Thanks for bringing the subject up BigBadBill. It makes us think about where we are on the attitude spectrum.

 

Friday i D/H 66 miles to get a load paying 700.00 right back to where i park my truck.It was half load of pallets and weighed 8,000 lbs...

Once i got to Vermont this place was a Ghost Town..I started to feel all the bad feelings and wanted to REACT with my powerhouse NY Attitude...I stopped and took a deep breath and learned how to ''pro-act''...

For many many years in this business i would be off the deep end and swearing at agents and brokers.I would tell them all to #### themselves..I would go completely ballistic and leave...I would shoot myself in the foot every single time...So watch how i handled this on Friday...

Once i realized this place was deserted i kept calm.I called the Agent and CH and talked to them in a very professional manner..This was a miracle.I told them in a nice tone of voice that no one is here and it looks deserted..They told me to hang tight and they will call customer..15 minutes later the Agent and CH called me back and said,sit tight.There is a guy that lives 10 minutes away and he will be there to load you...

I waited 20 minutes and he came in with his 2 kids.He said i am sorry for the mix up but i will load you and get you going.He was a nice as could be and his 2 young boys were well behaved..He started loading me and i thought about how nice these people are to load me on a Holiday Weekend.With his kids to boot...

After he was done loading these plastic pallets i chatted with him and his kids..I found out he was a young married man and his kids and him loved there Mama.I reached into my pocket and told this young man and his kids to take this 50.00 and go have a wonderful holiday with youself,your mom and dad..These people were so delighted that i did this...

So attitude,self respect,breathing,stepping back,problem solving,kindness and pro acting does work....I wish i would of learned this in my 20's.It would of saved me so many fist fights,being black balled and Lawyer fee's.

 

Little story for you guys....about attitude...Not an O/O'er but was a fast-food driver for over 30 years until retiring. We bid on our runs at GSF using our seniority. After a few years I had finally gained enough to get a really good run down towards the Charleston , S.C. area. Great miles and still have enough time to get back home in the same day. The route had 1 stop on it where the restaurant Mgr. was a real pain to deal with...and had made the comment that sooner or later she was gonna get a driver fired...I knew all this going into this run , but was determined to win this "Lady" over. She tried , and tried , and tried, to get my temper flared-up and get me to loose it. But after her repeated attempts, she finally asked me "does anything ever cause you to loose your temper" To this I answered (with a smile of course) "Yes Ma'am , lots of things. BUT you are my customer , and I'm paid very well to kiss your ###" She fell all over herself laughing...after that hers was the quickest , and most trouble free stop on the route.....Just goes to show you ATTITUDE is everything....

 

How about a definition of success, Bill.

I'm sure we all have different ideas of what constitutes our own success.

As a head of a trucking company you undoubtedly want your trucks bringing in revenue.

Personally I feel I have reached a goal when my equipment was paid for and I only have to work when I'm not in a leisure frame of mind.

Others might call me a slacker since 50K miles is a big year for me now!

Having a pleasant and courteous demeanor towards my business associates and customers is what ensures the continued success of my biz. Start being unpleasant to deal with and things might change for the worse.

And problem solving to me is just a challenge to make the deal happen despite obstacles which was just an innate drive as a greenhorn, a competitive spirit among other drivers in my early days. You knew if you wussed out and gave up you wouldn't hear the end of it. That's the whole point is getting the load delivered on time and safe.

 

Here's mine..the definition of sucess anyway...Semi-Crazy...

1. Start with having a wonderful and supportive wife willing to give up her career , so I could have mine while she stayed home with the kids. ( She later went back to school and is now living her dream of being a CNRA)

2. Having the opportunity to work for the same outfit for over 3 decades and retire with a perfect , accident, incident free 3 million + miles.

3. having 2 fine sons educated and one being a Dr. and the other being a civil engineer.

4 I guess along with saying that my wife and I have enjoyed some sucess in our lives..WE both must confess that without GOD being in complete control and Blessing us both over and over we wouldn't have been as sucessful.

 

Very Very Impressive.Great Job.You got my vote..It is nice to see that there are still people that drive trucks to have a good life outside the truck.It seems the ''newer'' drivers seek trucking as a place to have FREE room and board and LIVE in a truck..This is NOT what a work truck and trucking was supposed to be...

It was intended to give a man and a woman a place to work hard,make #### good money and then invest in a beautiful life outside the truck,with his and her family.At least that is what i did.We used to call it the American Dream.I guess know the ''new'' American Dream is to live in a swift truck,get a dog and live in a Petro Parking Lot making 400.00 a week.....

 

Amen to that brother!!!