It can appear a little bit odd to make a countdown to completing a lease a routine to share online. But everyone prepares to celebrate a finalization of a contract, to include things like auto loans and mortgages, with some kind of memorable milestone. What makes this important is that it is a work in progress, and in a sense, always will be. Since I obtained a commercial driver’s license, I became in a world that involved timing, ability, effort, endurance, and the list goes on (better include awareness). I envisioned “my world” surrounded around computers, networking, and code, I was now finding reasons to be in the world of trucking, like a better understand of some  family members who do this as a lifestyle (and it is just that), and I also became aware of a potential market in technology, only throwing “toys” in the direction of the trucking world; since many truck drivers see much of this a luxury, and nothing more. This actually is a good thing, since all drivers (including me) need to always know the basic formulas, should technology breakdown, and an individual needs to fall back on the basics (I couldn’t find an innocent way of making it sound like it was “low tech”. It is that important that a professional driver knows and lives with the basics).

To attempt to promote technology, and the ongoing “paperless” world in this environment,  has as many disadvantages as it does a future necessity of being fully informed; and being able to get that information in various fields of life. One true disadvantage is the changing of times, and a new generation easily picking up the technical aspect of running a truck driver’s day; falling short of knowing it is more important to be adapted to using a paper map, calculator, pen, and log book. The concern can be seen as real, but the advantages of being able to run everything on computer is just as real, since it maintains a recorded history of much more than just what a logbook does. A computer is not only a great, portable, and expandable filing system,  it can “reach out” and touch the internet, gathering information on businesses, location, traffic conditions, news, and most importantly, the weather. There is no way of convincing everyone that we should ban any type of paper recording when paperwork in its nature, is the final document, and as the saying goes, “in black and white”.

I had to find out how much of this “lifestyle” could be done on computer, and although I am close to concluding it is possible to do it all on a basic PC, it should never be the one tool for every job. Through my personal experience, it has that potential; but when it breaks down, like a truck, the task at hand comes to a stop. Unlike a truck, corporations and small businesses understand that machines breakdown; but to be “unavailable” until the individuals’ computer is running again, is more, like including more moving parts. So, as I get ready to promote the potential possibilities, and a need to have a computer in one of many unpredictable environments, even I am aware that a chain is only as strong as the weakest link. And it would be a weak link, should this business ever worked towards, or included activities that overrides the “basics”. For now, it is valuable to say that a computer is a reliable tool to include in the tools of a trade, but the basics must always be the main source of knowledge, so that the work does not come to a complete stop, but more like a “bump in the road”.

In the past, I have written blogs that kept everyone aware that this is indeed the future knocking; to where all work related materials can be stored on a computer. I only now point out that it would only be worth embracing, if everyone also knew about redundancy, backups, and storing old records (which includes a library of the location of the past historical work); with the element possibility that when also else fails, “grab a paper, pen, map, and logbook, and “march on”.

I needed to add a 100 day countdown to this goal, because with only 100 days to count down from, I still have hurdles to overcome. The last being, “To switch gears”, and focus on the commercial truck as an “office”, when the keys shut the engine down. It is one thing to say over time it can be done, but to have the ability to do it becomes the final piece to making this project of mine worth writing about, and promoting at one’s own level, and challenge them to always improve. In many aspects, and throughout my six driving years, there seems to be a “push” towards this type of records keeping by business, but with a different focus. Drivers throughout this field submit their finished paperwork through scanning to the “boss”, but after a small period of time, they (drivers) see no reason to hold onto the work after that time has come. In short, the “boss” has all the documents. Still, if there were ever a time that document was needed by the driver, he/she now needs to rely on the “boss” to supply a copy…and when they have the time. So, on that premise, having a way and creating an active practice of individual records keeping on a daily basis, the individual becomes more independent; and can recall the records or documents on their own (especially since the boss is not everyone’s secretary too).

It is that “switching gears” concept that even I need to develop (in my case, it has always been a work in progress). Of course, my ability has to be higher, to match those who would just be starting out. In short, just being able to record document on computer, I already have been doing in the last four years, with it being included and as important as the driver’s logbook. My role is to be able to shut off the truck, and then resume to creative writing, and documentation, on the possible future work involved in the lifestyle known as truck driving. The 100 day countdown, now becomes that next hurdle. Looking back, and based on the changing amount of work load, my blogs show periods of where nothing was placed into type, and shared with the world (wide web). I seemed to started to include pictures with some articles, only to see that drop. I have subtopics on spreadsheets, documents, and more to come, but no article posted. It may be alright to say that I was busy; but the goal is to be able to share the experience, make it a challenge for others to attempt, and with a simple understanding, but most importantly, include it with the work at hand, and do it from this “ten wheeled office”, and not after the contract is completed.

Switching Gears is a “Two Part” Concept

The “switching gears” concept is actually a two-part advancement, and has to be, with regards to not only making this inclusive to the transportation world. The second part is the hardest to obtain. To explain, the first part, and over time has always made it sound like the “office” had to be a place, such as the current 2007 Freightliner. It was easy to provide that concept, because to basic computer has other attachments, like the printer and scanner, and holds or stores spare ink cartridges, and paper. It can almost be compared to a cubical in an office, with one challenge to overcome, since an actual cubical naturally puts an individual in that mindset that “this is the moment to work”. When even I think of trucking, it is the transportation of loads from points “A” to “B”, and even “C”. So, to actually turn around and with the engine off, sit back and change the mindset to now do “office” work is more than just imaginative, and I can see this a long struggle for many to obtain. And that is only the first part of changing gears.

The second part of this concept, is more like an extension to the first part of the concept. Bottom line is, that once all the work is stored on the computer, and documents are printed out, everything is disconnected, and the computer can stand alone, and work on other tasks and projects. So, in a sense, for as long as the PC is turned on, the “office” is wherever it is running. To many readers, this has already been a lifestyle for them, especially in the administrative and corporate world. But it has never been placed to towards the lower levels of the common laborer, especially in the world of truck driving. Many do it right from a PDA or a blackberry. But, nothing will ever absolutely replace the size and storage of a personal computer; each one in its nature, is an electronic book of historical activity, in both personal and professional purpose.

Giving Meaning to the 100 day countdown

I just realized that I have paperwork to prepare for scanning into the company, if I wish to get paid for the work, but it already (and by nature of the delivery) missed its Monday before midnight deadline. The focus here is not to miss appointments, and make those deadlines, and now, include this blog as a deadline itself. In 100 days, through the same priorities of the work at hand, and with a renewed sense of pending excuses and reasons for missing the deadlines, the 100 day countdown is to work on getting over that “hurdle” mentioned at the beginning of this blog. As time goes on, the need to include pictures to enhance the typed thoughts, need to hold its own priority. But as it becomes the next hurdle, it can never be forgotten that the actual work involved cannot become second on the list. I never thought I would wish this upon myself, to include such challenges, when the typical Independent Contractor would focus just on the prize. I guess I get lonely out here. I need to see the next move. I need to plan for the days after the contract. I need to plan on that soon, if not now. The 100 day countdown becomes that next milestone, with everything planned, timed, and deadlines met. After all, once the contract is completed, the word Independent Contractor has the potential of graduating to “Owner-Operator”. Somehow, in my brainstorming, it includes blogs, “How To’” products, and a challenge others… “To Create”. If nothing else, a “One Man Show” has been in the makings out of all the past and current work.