For the last six years, I have been progressively working towards a business, where the business plan keeps changing with the passing of time; and, that is while the business stalled and never left it’s start up stage. Still, my goal is to get the business running, even six years from when I decided to be a sole proprietor. I originally wanted to start up a computer shop and class room, but I found the timing was not in my favor, back in the year 2006. I really didn’t know what was happening. I already took the measures to move away from my childhood surroundings and seek a place to not only start new, but to also become a different, more structured and planned person. After all, I spent most of my life “following”, and now I wanted to be independent, if not ever “lead”.

It has taken me from the simple stationary Office concept to whole different level, when for personal reasons and curiosities, I obtained a Commercial Driver’s License”. The Laptop was never left behind though. Instead it became the reason for staying in the Over-The-Road role, with the challenge of owning an aging truck. It may take time to explain, so I might do that in a few blogs, rather than feel like I need to defend myself. For now, I saw an opportunity to explore the use of computers and technology, on an individual driver’s perspective; with the incentive in watching a select few other drivers using the PC for the idea I was pursuing. Others were either experimenting or lost on the next step, or simply didn’t grasp how to make it work for them in this business. I was onto something! I had to pursue this.

The three year contract was really not for the truck, but the experience. To make a statement or suggest that something could be done is one thing, but to actually go through the steps and make it happen is a bigger statement, and with the foundation of time and experience behind it. It also took my original business plan of “General” or “one scenario to fit all situations”, to having actual data, information, and files to express a specific profession that may reflect other situations or professions. But, it took six years. I had to first learn the profession. In the background, I came up with how I wanted to approach records keeping, and later, worked on developing the routine. Now, I found a focus on spreadsheets, since they are easy to explain, work with, and the data can be universally shared with other manufacturer spreadsheets. I also found some features that make it a promotable program to any and all who are looking to learn, understand, and use for their own purposes (opinionative).

The truck was the perfect “bonus” to aspire to. Not only can the process of records keeping be shown as an actual work tool, but possessing the truck is the “trophy” and shelter to pursue the ongoing work habit, and learning process that I desire to strive for. I came out of a Truck Driving School, became an OTR Driver, then acquired some knowledge on charter bus driving, returned to semi trucks to experience, double trailers and border crossings, and even went through a six month contract as a dedicated driver. All as a Company employee. The next level as to become an Independent Contractor (the role I currently do). I need two more years to understand and develop a routine around select mandated activities before working on being an owner operator. Then, maybe I’ll return to a class room like environment.  If nothing else, I have the materials and data as actual learning material for others to understand, even from their own completely different profession or role of employment.

Concepts from “Follower” to “Supporter”

      It took some time to see this twenty 21st century in a new light, and in the above paragraph I mentioned two words in quotations. Somehow, I think to evolve from being a follower, it is important to change that to a concept, and start using the word “supporter”. In short and in this twenty-first century, there are now people who “lead” with ideas, and others who “support” the process or operation. By calling them “supporters”, it opens the opportunity for that individual to assume more personal responsibility, and even affect progress in an operation, plan, or business. In a sense, nothing really changes, except the concept of what it means to be “employed” in a business. In the past, we had a conscious recognition of being on-time, and using sick days when there were times to be sick. Of course, playing “hooky” comes to mind. Today, there needs to be a different approach to being employed somewhere, and a different perspective that may not necessarily have to do with on-time as it does with performance. Being a “supporter” may mean to be consciously aware of how the time is used from when you arrive, until it is time to go home.

On Time is still important. As children, we all knew to be at school before the bell rings, and in middle and high school grades, we were introduced to class room scheduling. Being there on time keeps a delay in when any group can truly start without interruption. But this still meant we just had to be somewhere as a primary role. What happened when we got there was someone else’s agenda…that we simply “followed”. A more conscious approach is to start making what is planned just as important. I remember a select few who shrugged their shoulders, just not getting a certain session, or just a step in the session (whether in Math class or English; even physical education had a few people who chose to keep the bench warm). Today, it has to be instilled that the individual needs to set aside time, either with the “Leader” or on their own, to find a different approach in explaining the step or session to get that person confident in the task, and even a project, at hand.

Those in the “work force” also need to make that role they are employed in more than “just a job”. One personal concept (reflection), is to want to show they earned their reason for being there today. Typically, in the past, we never worried about doing more or being perfect, unless we were in trouble or caused a huge error in production. Then, you promised yourself that we would have to be a “straight arrow” for a long time, in hopes that this doesn’t cause termination. Today, an individual should not wait to worry, rather focus on earning that role each and everyday. For someone starting in a new position, this may mean to plan on always improving on what you learned from today. To start “monitoring” yourself, and even keep a personal journal or record. But instead of simply getting used to a routine, that journal or record should become a new career tool to use from this moment on. Always improving on what you have become knowledgeable will let you also “develop” and even express the progression over time. This can be by finding cost cutting or waste in a process, or developing steps that make the work efficient. That journal is your personal record though. It is nothing to use to show the leader. This will let the journal let you make more personable remarks that you can reflect on later, and in those negative opinions back in the past, a solution or remedy may be more clearer for the future. But this tool needs to be used; so, reflect on those personal notes, and find a concept on building upon them.

Now, a more responsible approach may lead to more efficiency, as an individual works on routine steps, and seeks out resolving money wasting activities, by being the person to find a solution. Thus, the new term “supporter”. Of course, before simply suggesting the change, the individual should test this idea by assuming the responsibility for making the role change in the routine their daily habit change. It means assuming responsibility if time is wasted, but it also should be recognized if the step does improve a task, and save time and money.

My Next Move(s)

I was out to develop a resource that could be shared, and inspire other professional driver’s the importance of personal computers, besides emails and gaming. I’m very close to “showing off” the work I have and can do. Two major hurdles were passed now; the first, Endurance, while the second hurdle was actually keeping a daily record and routine, while expanding on those records. I was out to practice what I was about to preach, especially the concept of always improving in the role I currently play. At the same time, I found an avenue of sharing ideas and possibilities for other areas and fields that may help and enhance the professional driving role. The main goal is still to develop a workable record keeping routine, that over time anyone can do, but with different levels and results.

To Be Continued…