What was the most beneficial piece of advice you received?

the Advice I received is this,

1. Plan and stick to it
2. Avoid long deadheads
3. Have money stuck back for a rainy day
4. Run your truck like a business
5. Know your operating cost

Most who fail has failed due to one of these reasons. Went in with out a plan, or had nothing to pay for a breakdown. Some failed cause they did not know their true operating cost and went bankrupt.

I spent some time out of trucking and when I came back into it, I had a plan. I ran into many road blocks and worked myself around them for I have achieved the goals I have pushed for. Why? Planning. In my plan I have 4 things to achieve. 1st Get back out on the road. Done. 2. Buy my own Truck, Done. 3. Get my own authority, Next goal to meet ETA 4 to 5 months when I will be ready. Already have people wanting me to haul for them. 4th get my own fleet started. Already have least 2 other drivers wanting to drive for me after hearing my business plan.

 

If you don't set goals, you can't regret not making them. Yogi Berra YUP I agree.

 

Going into anything with out a goal is same as going in with out a plan, and without a plan your doomed to fail. Not always, but in more cases than not for most plans are based on a Goal to achieve.

 

Pick a lane and stick to it.

 

Find a niche and charge accordingly. Know your costs and keep them to a minimum. A shiny new Peterbilt is pretty but shippers don't pay for pretty. You get paid the same for a load with a 10 year old well maintained Freightliner as you do for a 2009 Peterbilt. Don't worry about what the truckstop heros say, be concerned what your banker says. Avoid debt. When you are indebted to people you are obligated and beholden to them and lose your freedom of choice. When going into a bad freight area calculate your miles to get out and base your rates accordingly. My deadhead runs around 35%-40% with revenue $2.40-$2.60 for all miles. Know your fuel taxes for the states you run in and subtract the tax from pump price to get a base price and let this guide you on where to purchase fuel. If you think a part is on the verge of going get it repaired at home. Most places on the road will repair things so they last until you are too far away to come back. Do your best for your customer and be honest. If you don't do your best and are not honest you have abdicated your right to complain about those who don't do right by you.

Most importantly don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff.

 

My fahza, dad, dad is fahza..... VILLAGE PEOPLE (goldmember)........ once told me that nothing about this business is legal if you want to make money, so stop yanking it and get to work! Those long 1000 mile days are waiting for ya boy!

 

Once again father time, yes, in both those states! Dont work, make it work!

 

1000 mile days...I have done it a few times.

But an 800 mile day in a 63 mph truck is WAAAAY worse.

I'm not gonna have anymore days like that though...I'll be there when I get there (as soon as I can, but safely and well rested)