Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Truck Driving Career in Four Steps

By Hugo Amblyne

When you were a kid, you had big dreams. You wanted to be a cowboy or a cop, a firefighter, an astronaut or maybe a circus clown. Then, one day, something happened. You grew up and suddenly, you had grown-up responsibilities to meet and bills to pay. You graduated from school, got a haircut and took a decent job. But, while you settled in to this new, grown-up lifestyle, what happened to those childhood dreams?

If you dreamed of being a truck driver, it's not too late to make it happen. After all, you spend hours fantasizing about hitting the open road, so why not use that time to make it happen? If your dream gig is driving a big rig; if you live to cruise the highways, visit new places and explore new horizons; this is the time to get started.

Really successful people don't just love what they do; they do what they love. A paycheck is not their measure of success. It's the pride and confidence that they have in their work. Other people are envious, but those sour souls think it must be luck or a guarded secret, rather than taking the cue and following their own dreams. Jealous people often fail to realize that successful people worked hard for their good fortune, and sometimes struggle to land their dream career.

Dream careers are not just for the fortunate few. It's your dream and you can attain it, if you're willing to work hard to get there. There is no magic or mystery in the process, just a few simple and proven steps. If you want to be a truck driver, follow these four steps:

1. Believe in Yourself. If you really believe that a driving career is in reach, you will attain it. Self-confidence is a critical and often overlooked element to true success. You need to genuinely believe that you deserve to be a trucker, and can handle the responsibilities. People who realize their career dreams are those who believe in their goals. And it is not difficult to become a true believer. On paper or screen, jot down your image of yourself working in a truck driving job in detail. Sketch a simple picture that you can read or look at daily. Use this form of positive reinforcement to inspire you.

2. Know the Facts. Dreams are so important, but a big part of being confident in your potential for success is recognizing the facts. Research the specific steps that you must take to bring your picture to life. Knowing this allows you to be more comfortable in your decision to take action. Research nearby truck driver training schools. Find out about graduate success rates. Learn about requirements for specialized training beyond the CDL or LGV/HGV license. If your trucking career will bring a decrease in pay, consider whether you really do value your personal happiness over money. Ask questions and answer them honestly. With all of the facts at hand, you'll be prepared and ready to take the next step to finding success.

3. Commit to Your Success. Some people are truly frightened of success. To be a true success not only requires honesty and commitment, but also contains the potential to fail. Successful people are almost never afraid to say, "I will". Most of us are not inclined to make strong commitments. We often say that keeping ourselves "tied down" will somehow hinder us from being open to other opportunities. Don't obsess about the odds of something better coming along. Commitment gives you a far more powerful reason to get out of bed each morning and work toward becoming a truck driver.

4. Form a Plan. Once fully committed to starting a trucking career, map out the path you'll take. Put your list facts into play. Break down your big plan into small, easily obtainable goals. Write these goals on your calendar, create a 'to-do' list, and get on your way. Remember to manage your priorities and only focus on the items that will actually bring you closer to your success. No more time for dreaming; put your time into accomplishing the small steps. Ask for help, and delegate or eliminate tasks if possible. Your family will need to support your choice, as a trucking career, for example, affects family members a great deal. Talk to them about helping you accomplish your steps.

Despite what you may have gleaned about those fortunate few, a dream career doesn't simply fall from the sky. Success comes to those with a strong belief in themselves, and who work hard to make those dreams reality. Don't worry about taking very small steps; that's how you reap the biggest rewards. We'll see you one day rolling down that highway as a confident, successful truck driver enjoying your dream career.

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