Next ....

With taking and passing my permit test it is in to the next phase. Although I was nervous about passing the test I think that was the easy part compared to what's left.

School starts tomorrow and the nerves and pressure is still there. The fear of learning it all and doing it well. The fear of shifting, the fear of backing, the fear of learning all the pre trip, the fear of being able to handle and drive this beast. But mainly the fear of failure and not providing for my family. No..... I don't think I will fail but I know the possibility is there. I know the amount of pressure that I have placed on myself. I know the amount I beat myself up internally with every mistake or error I make. I know that is something I must overcome as mistakes will be made and I must learn from them and not dwell and beat myself up. That is on me to figure out and adjust to.

This site has been beyond helpful and beneficial and the members here are all top notch. They take the time and help and guide anyone who asks for help. This group of people makes me look so forward to the journey ahead. I have always been a loner with no friends other then my wife and kids, seriously it's sad. But I am entering into a lifestyle and journey where I hope one day I can call my brothers and sisters on the road a friend.

Errol, I want to end with the poem you quoted as it truly struck with me. Wish me luck on this journey and one day I hope to see or meet some of you and call you friends.

Errol posted:

Consider this poem from Richard Feynman (Nobel Prize in Physics):

A centipede was happy quite, until a toad in fun said, "Pray, which leg comes after which?" This raised his doubts to such a pitch He fell distracted in the ditch Not knowing how to run.

Moral: Don't think about it too much!

Tyler, I start training tomorrow also and can relate to all your worries and anxieties in starting this new path to a life on the road. Just rest assured you are not alone. As you have already discovered this site is full of understanding and advise from a great group of ppl who have all "been there done that" and are willing to help through it all. Being in the same position as you, just starting out and nervous about all the challenges ahead, I am also very excited and know that just being steadfast and learn as much as I can it will all come to be. Now it will not be easy but any satisfying career never is. As long as we don't give up and meet every challenge with 100% of what we can, then it shouldn't be to long when you & I will be the experienced ones giving understanding and advise from our experiences to more ppl just starting out in the trucking industry.

Good luck on Monday and let us know how it goes.

Monster

If you keep worrying about all those "fears", you just might end up under a bridge eating the leftovers from an old tuna can.

The church song goes "Count your many blessings"! Roll with that.

... and don't over-think all the stuff. I've learned some pretty complicated things by not focusing on the details. Not in a sloppy way, but in a Big Picture way.

Hehe every time I see a flatbed I'm like "Old School is that you?" Thanks for all the advice you helped me be the trucker I'm becoming!!

Paul is searching:

Hehe every time I see a flatbed I'm like "Old School is that you?" Thanks for all the advice you helped me be the trucker I'm becoming!!

O.S. posted a photo & description about 6 months ago:

If you want to keep an eye out for me, here's what I look like. covered wagon flatbed parked in a truck stop parking lot. " title="gray Volvo tractor trailer pulling a Conestoga covered wagon flatbed parked in a truck stop parking lot.">

Sometimes I'm pulling a Conestoga like that or at other times I'm pulling a regular flat-bed. If you see one of our trucks and it has lime green tarps on the load like this - chances are pretty high that you've spotted the elusive "Old School". I haven't come across another driver yet that has tarps as ugly as mine. They issued everyone at the plant I'm dedicated to new three piece black tarp sets, but I declined them because mine were so much better suited to what we need.

Tyler,

Your fear is a good thing. It shows you really want to succeed. As Monster said, if you give 100% to the task at hand, you'll do just fine. Don't put too much pressure on yourself...just stay focused. In the blink of an eye, you'll be done and driving solo.

Errol,

"Paul is searching". Your "lead-ins" to quotes are hilarious!

Tyler,

Your fear is a good thing. It shows you really want to succeed. As Monster said, if you give 100% to the task at hand, you'll do just fine. Don't put too much pressure on yourself...just stay focused. In the blink of an eye, you'll be done and driving solo.

Errol,

"Paul is searching". Your "lead-ins" to quotes are hilarious!

I knew if I said it Errol would help me out