I am always amazed at the will and determination of people. It is great on both sides of the scale from the ability to reach great heights in their lives and careers to being in the lowest of lowest places at times. For most of us, we may not have that dramatic range to deal with but it is always easy to fall into the complacency mode and not even realize you have gone there. You let little things slide, then something bigger, and before you know it you are doing drastic measures to get back to point A. This happens in areas like vehicle maintenance, trip planning, and time management all the time. Have you been arriving later this year on your deliveries? Having more trouble with equipment and other aspects of the job? It may not be you at all; maybe the company has changed a process that has thrown your routine out of kilter. Maybe you need to make a little adjustment or discuss ways to get back on track.

This is the time of year to take a look at what has been working and what has not been working over the last year. Choose one thing that is impacting your career or life the most and work on that for next year. Like I said earlier, people have a determination that can’t be beat when they want to make a change. If you really want to make that change you will do it. Unlike New Year’s resolutions, these changes aren’t something you write down at the party on a napkin and hope to change by January 2nd. This is really trying to change something to improve your life one step at a time. Here is a story to give you a little encouragement should you need it.

My Wife and I vacation on the same Caribbean island every year. Over several years we have gotten to know many of the locals and how they live their lives. This one person we met was okay at first, you could talk to him and he would respond and basically leave you alone. The next couple of years he seemed angry, was sleeping in the bus shelter, would talk to himself and just seemed to be in a whole other world. Now we were told he had a history of mental issues and has a habit of going on and off his medications regularly. This year we don’t know what happened but he turned himself around 180 degrees. He looks healthy, is working with the guys on the beach installing umbrellas, and has made an amazing transition. Apparently he was able to get to that first step of rehabilitation and he carried through on the rest. Congratulations to him for his success. So I ask you, what will you work on next year? We all have something; it is a matter of being honest with yourself and having the will to change. I would like to wish everyone a very happy Holiday Season and all the best for 2015.

About the Author

Bruce Outridge has been in the transportation industry for over 30 years and is the author of the books; Driven to Drive and Running by the Mile. Challenger Motor Freight Inc. is one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies (platinum member) and is looking for quality team members. To learn more about opportunities with Challenger visit their website at
www.challenger.com