What Mindset Should Truckers Have?

Before we discuss why it’s important to cultivate the right type of mindset as a trucker, we first need to define what exactly the ideal trucking mindset entails.

Here are some factors:

Safety

Safety is essential in the trucking industry. While there are many aspects of safety that involve physical tasks to complete, a large portion of staying safe comes down to your mindset. If you prioritize safety as a driver, you’ll find it easier to focus on driving defensively.

Communication

Although truckers spend much of their time alone behind the wheel, relationships and communication play a large role in this career. The best drivers understand this and know how to work well with the different people they encounter, including dispatchers, staff at loading docks, and more.

Purpose

No matter what career a person pursues, they can benefit from feeling a sense of purpose. If you know why your career path is worthwhile to you, it makes it easier to handle tough days. Remember the reasons you got into trucking and keep these in mind when things are difficult on the road.

How Does The Right Mindset Help Truckers?

One way that maintaining a positive mindset helps truckers is that it makes it easier to manage stress in a safe and productive way. Whether you’re dealing with traffic, weather delays, a lack of parking, or any other concern that arises on the road, it’s easier to take the necessary steps to manage the situation if you are able to focus on the most important factors.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you’ll never feel frustrated or overwhelmed. It’s okay to be upset about conditions on the road, but if you are prioritizing safety, communicating well, and staying focused on your purpose, you’ll be able to turn a bad situation around more effectively.

Are You Interested In Becoming a Trucker?

If you’re interested in a rewarding career and have what it takes to keep our nation moving forward as a trucker, the first step is earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL). At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we can help you accomplish this in as little as four weeks. We teach our students the skills they need to pass the CDL exam and succeed as truckers. In addition, we offer job placement assistance to help you get on the road and earning as soon as possible.

Truck driving is an excellent career that provides competitive pay and benefits. This industry attracts a wide range of individuals, including many who have families or are hoping to start one soon. While there are some unique considerations truckers with families need to keep in mind, it is definitely possible to be successful as a driver while staying connected to loved ones back home.

Here are some tips for trucking with a family:

1. Set Clear Expectations

Communication is an essential skill for truckers, and this extends beyond interactions that are directly related to your job. You’ll also need to communicate clearly with your loved ones back home and have conversations about your expectations for how trucking will affect your family life. Being on the same page with your loved ones is important, and having support back home can make it easier to manage life on the road.

Some questions to talk through your your spouse and/or co-parents include:

How will you handle any emergencies that occur while you’re on the road?
What household responsibilities are most important to handle during home time, and how can you continue to contribute while you’re away?
Which events or holidays are most important to try to arrange home time for, and how will you handle it if you aren’t able to get home when you expect to?
How will you stay in touch while you’re on the road?

2. Take Advantage of Modern Technology

Modern technology makes it easier than ever to stay in touch with your family while you’re away from home. Set a time each day for a video chat or phone call to catch up. You can also take photos of interesting sights or things that remind you of your loved ones and send them via text. However, make sure you never drive distracted!

3. Get Your Family Involved

There are many ways you help your family feel involved in your life on the road, depending on your unique circumstances. Consider asking your children to help you with trip planning and give them a way to keep track of where you are during hauls. Then, during your calls, you can keep them updated about the places you are visiting. If your children are older or your partner has time off work, many motor carriers allow you to take a passenger on the road. This can help them see what your life on the road is like. Be sure to choose a shorter haul if possible and plan ahead for such a trip.

4. Look For Family-Friendly Trucking Companies

Finding a company that offers home time that aligns with your needs can make trucking easier in the long run. Although you will likely start with an over-the-road (OTR) position that involves a few weeks at a time on the road, you may be able to transition to a regional or even local job over time. These allow for more consistent time at home. As a general rule, many truckers spend one year OTR before they have enough experience to look for a regional or local job, although this can vary.

Earn Your CDL in Phoenix

If you’re interested in supporting your family with a career in trucking, Phoenix Truck Driving Institute can help you get started. Our students are able to earn their commercial driver’s license (CDL) in as little as four weeks, and we offer job placement assistance to help you find positions that match your goals.

Month: November 2022

The Importance of the Right Trucking Mindset