What Would You Tell Your Kid As They Walked Out The Door For Truck Driving School?

I'm going to write an article on the following scenario and I'd love to get some quotes to use from our experienced drivers for this one. You're going to like this.

I want everyone to imagine a scenario where one of your children came to you and they literally had their bags packed, ready to walk out the door. They say to you:

"I signed up for truck driving school and I'm leaving in five minutes. I didn't want to tell you ahead of time because I've already made up my mind and I didn't want to discuss it or be lectured about it. But now I'm super nervous and I kind of wish I would have talked to you about it first, but now it's too late. I've gotta go. Do you have any quick advice you can give me?"

You literally have two minutes before you kid walks out the door and embarks on their training. Once they walk out that door they're on their own. They succeed or fail without your help. What would your last words of advice be?

I'll give you guys and gals my thoughts on this also.

With only two minutes I think I would focus on their expectations. I would say:

To prepare you for this job they're going to push you hard. They're going to test your resolve, your nerve, your confidence. They're not worried about whether or not you can shift or back up a truck. Anyone can learn that. They need to find out quickly if you're man enough to handle the job. They want you to know how tough this job is going to be and they want you to start learning to handle it mentally right away.

If you're not cut out for this or you're not committed to making this happen they want you to quit right away. And in fact you're probably going to want to quit sometimes. Almost everyone does. You just have to tough it out.

Things are going to be overwhelming in the beginning but they'll get better after a few months. Stay focused on getting to that one year mark. At that point you'll have most of the big mistakes out of the way and you'll have a good idea what you're doing. But there's going to be a lot of tough lessons in the beginning. If you're tough enough to handle this job and you want it bad enough you'll find a way to get through it. "

In other words, I'd give em the boot camp speech:

Podcast Episode 1: The Bootcamp Approach To Trucking

Brett, I just gave this advice in another thread, but it works here too...

Where you start is of very little consequence to your success. How you start is what will set the direction of your future trucking career.

I'd like to believe I taught all three of my kids to weigh any of life's important decisions carefully and not rush into anything without at least a basic understanding of expectations and a willingness to accept full responsibility for their actions. Assuming that is the case, my focus would be on helping to ensure their commitment, understand the risks, the difficulty and the amount of work required to enter this industry as a professional driver. With that said; my goal with the 2 minute discussion would be to confirm their decision, reassure them, offer my unconditional support, and challenge them with this thought:

"If you believe this decision will make you happy. then by all means I am for it. No matter what you do; give it your 100% effort, always strive for excellence, expect setbacks, try not to get too high or low, and be the very best at it. No regrets then...you have my blessing"

I hope you studied the High Road Training Program!

Do your best and call me when you get frustrated learning backing...

Good luck and your taking your pets with you right?

First, I'd correct his grammar. Knowing me, he'd expect that.

"I'm proud of you. I love you. Drive like a man, even if you're a girl. Above all, be safe. Call me 24/7, for any reason whatsoever."

Oh, and, "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming."

The second minute is for hugs and kisses.

-mountain girl

"Wait! Don't forget your blankie!"

-mountain girl

Do your best and keep truckin safely and legally down that high road and know we are here to support you with whatever advice you may need.