What is Mindfulness?

The concept of mindfulness has actually been around for thousands of years. Its origins can be found in the earliest Buddhist teachings (2500 years ago). It has been used over the centuries in traditional eastern contemplative practices like Hatha Yoga and other meditation practices. Zen masters taught mindfulness to enlightened monks in the ultimate acceptance of their own existence.

However, the way we use the term here, Mindfulness should not be confused with inward focused mysticism or spirituality. Today Mindfulness not only refers to the acceptance of one’s reality but what one does with that reality. As we use it, Mindfulness is the skill of living in the moment and relating to the world in a nonjudgmental and reflexive as oppose to reactive fashion.

In recent years, science and westernization have adapted Mindfulness so that it can be cultivated daily, used without years of practice, and be compatible and useful within almost any modern human activity. Mindfulness is simply an introspective method for grounding your thoughts, emotions and behaviors in the reality you are currently experiencing, so you can stand back, observe, understand yourself more fully and take care of your needs.

The act of Mindfulness is the ability to focus your attention on your inner thoughts while letting go of past or future worries. It will take some practice to witness your thoughts popping up and then going away without self-criticism, but it can be achieved by most people without extensive training, just daily practice. For instance, just watching your breathing can have a calming effect on your mind and slowly restore your sense of well-being. When you quiet your thoughts about what you have to do and your feelings dictating what you want to do, your intuitive mind takes over. Here you gently move from dwelling on the past or future to being focused on what you are doing right at this moment. Being in this state of Mindfulness allows you to listen to your gut and discover what you truly need. Mindfulness allows you to acknowledge your feelings, witness your thoughts and redirect yourself away from distraction.

We live in era of constant upheaval and change. Actually, most of us get through life on autopilot. Our brain gets filled with restless ideas and memories that are hard to keep track of especially when we become stressed. We tend to “tune out” and just “try to get through the day.”

Everyone’s mind naturally wanders, but when you practice Mindfulness you are aware of your mind wandering and can gradually redirect it back to the present. Mindfulness allows you to gently quiet all the noise in your head. Paying attention to your breathing, tracking your thoughts, or scanning your body for tension are just few of the many ways to reduce mental chatter. With Mindful practice, you can learn to remove the tendency to jump to conclusions, make assumptions and idle judgments, and recognize that your negative or positive feelings are coming from you and not the external world around you.

Dr Marsha Linehan, founder of Evidence Based Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) says we need to adopt a “Reflexive Mind” in order to cope with distress and change. Here, your mind is trained to act like Teflon, nothing sticks to it long enough to attach. Mindfulness has been shown to bring calmness and patience to those who embrace the practice. People who practice daily Mindfulness are processing life rather than analyzing its content. The ultimate state of Mindfulness is mental resiliency.

In fact Mindfulness can also help you stay focused and aware even when you are engaged in mundane activities such as driving, eating, and walking. Research has shown its positive effects on boosting the immune system, managing pain, reducing stress and cultivating personal awareness.

A beginning Mindful sequence may involve:

- Sitting in a quiet and comfortable location

October 6, 2012 By

- Thinking about where you are and what you are doing at this very moment

- Closing your eyes

- Allowing thoughts about what already or will happen move in an out of your consciousness with your non-judging mind and gentle persuasion

- Focusing on the sensations of breathing each breath and noticing what that does to your belly, nostrils and lungs

- Making note of every thought and feeling that comes up and then returning to your breathing to further anchor your attention

- Observing your mind but, not getting stuck on any one particular thought or feeling as your breathing becomes more natural, full and steady

- Opening your eyes and looking at something you have seen before with a fresh perspective.

What are Affirmations?

Affirmations are declarative statements about something you now know, did, or intend to do. When you use an Affirmation you are not only being aware of your thoughts, but you are taking conscious control of them. When you say, write, read or even think of an Affirmation, you are, in effect, taking steps to acknowledge what is worthwhile about you.

Studies have shown that most of our daily thoughts are negative. Working with Affirmations makes you aware of how self-defeating thoughts chip away at your creativity. Affirmations help you create a new reality and visualize what you essentially want out of life.

Negativity can threaten your health and happiness. In fact, when you are not paying attention to your thinking, you are more liable to pessimistic and not realistic or optimistic. The more you are aware of what you are actually telling yourself, the more upbeat you will sound. Using command based phraseology, keeping the Affirmation in the present tense and making it reality based offers you more reinforcement. Repeatedly telling yourself that you are, or will be, deserving, healthy, and successful, the more your positive determination will flow. You’re more likely to see a bounce in your step and a lift in your life by using daily Affirmations.

What are Mindful Affirmations?

” Mindful Affirmations ” are not just inspirational sayings. We use the term as thought provoking phrases that loosely derive from Mindfulness ideas of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, who founded the medical and meditative models of Mindfulness. He came up with Eight Stations of Mindful Meditation:

- Smile

- Breathe

- Arrive

- Attend

- Find the essence

- Slow down

- Listen

- See things with a new perspective

Mindful Affirmations incorporate one or more of these active stations into each passage in order to support the Mindful notion of keeping an “open mind,” where possibilities have no limits. They are not meditations as used by Dr Zinn and others. Mindful Affirmations take ordinary Affirmations like “Your self-confidence will carry you on,” and make them more reality based so the reader can gradually acknowledge and accept the truth about their life. An example of expanding the above Affirmation into a Mindful Affirmation would be “I barely thought of my own self-worth until I saw myself going backwards in life. Letting myself go and losing all I had gained made me feel stuck and dependent. I now see how harnessing my self-esteem can help me not only find my way but, carry me through life.”

This phraseology helps to evoke not only the reader’s subconscious mind, but keeps the reader focused on the key of Mindfulness, just being in the moment.

Pain is about growth and is inevitable. Unfortunately, too many of us have become addicted to suffering… but suffering is optional! Mindful Affirmations make our conscious and subconscious minds look at our pain and release our fears about the unknown. Our inner subconscious mind has the desire for change but doesn’t know just what to change or how to do it. Our outer conscious mind desires to be relaxed, in balance and accept our state of affairs. When working in concert our two minds remove expectations/accusations and allow us to gently examine our feelings, thoughts and behaviors about the past without dwelling or being judgmental.

When Mindful Affirmations are written in the first person they can help the reader not only empathize with the writer, but slowly begin to accept and validate their own pain, saying inside themselves, “I guess I am not alone.” Mindful Affirmations not only break down the reader’s self-imposed isolation but offer them options for change such as in the passage, “I now see that responding rather than reacting will build a healthy interpersonal world for myself.”

It has been my clinical experience that each time I ask a patient to read a Mindful Affirmation, they mention to me that they now see their old problem in a different way. One of the core values of Mindfulness is to be able to see yourself and the world around you with a “new set of eyes.”

The focus is on accepting, commitment and learning (refers to “ACT” therapy) a new way of living or looking at life. Mindful Affirmations help the reader’s mind stay engaged while supporting the surrender of old baggage and unfulfilled expectations.

Mindful Affirmations use positive assertions like “I feel happy,” but allow our present awareness to reinforce our declaration giving us clarity of thought to see our options. It is a coping strategy. For example, the statement “When I am stressed I make myself sit and take notice of my surroundings,” supports your inner desire to stay calm and centered rather than be overwhelmed and scattered.

The book takes Affirmations to the next level by first talking about how “I” (the reader) arrived at the state of not being able to take control, what resulted, and how “I” plan to take command of my life in the future.

Using these three components to the Affirmation not only supports the drive to do better, but plants the seed more firmly that “I” will make progress and “I” can learn from my past. Mindful Affirmations are cyclical in nature. Each time a negative feeling comes up the reader has a choice to make good or bad decisions. The truth is that we are more likely to accomplish what we set out to do, if we are keenly aware of how the past made us feel and what consequences may lie ahead.

Mindful Affirmations help you not only face reality, but look beyond it by challenging your old mental dialogue with a new perspective. Mindful Affirmations allow you to step back from life enough to examine regrets and embrace new options. Mindful Affirmations help you discover that who you really are is what keeps you alive, vital and present.

Dr Unger’s new book “Presence of Mind – Mindful Affirmations” is available at the website Store.

Real Psych Solutions ( http://www.realpsychsolutions.com ) provides Real Psychology Solutions: Practical Self-Help Materials for Mental Health and Living Well and is physically located at The Center for Empowerment in Dana Point, CA, but has a global online following. It was founded by Arlene Unger, PhD (PSY) and Stefan Unger, PhD in 2009.

Real Psych Solutions aims to provide useful and practical self-help materials based on the work of licensed mental health and medical professionals, certified lifestyle and wellness coaches and other recognized experts. We have lots of Free Materials and Resources from many Authors, as well as an online Store with valuable and insightful, but economically priced, items.

? 2010 Arlene Unger, PhD. All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced “as is”, i.e. without change or fees.

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Driving Vans

September 13, 2012 By

Driving Vans

A van is used to transport goods and groups of people. Vans are known as Light Commercial Vehicles. Vans are usually box-shaped vehicles with have four wheels. Some newer models are rounded. Vans have been around since the 1960s, and the very first van was available in United States. Vans are larger than cars and are smaller than caravan or trucks. These vans are available in different shapes and sizes, ranging from the classic version of Tiny Mini to the five- meter-long variants of the Mercedes Sprinter van. For some families, a car is simply not enough, and a van is a better choice, since it is able to transport more people and goods easily.

A Road Trek camper van has many benefits, such as a kitchen, bathroom, shower, changing room, bedroom, relaxation area, entertainment area, and spare room, and is fully self contained. Avoid overloading the van. Luggage should be stored evenly throughout the interior of the van and should not obstruct any views for the driver. Now, another shape of van has been introduced, which has a taller cab and bed than a pickup and uses the same style frame and power train, resulting in the basic van having a higher center of gravity than the similarly-loaded pickup from which is derived. The suspension is very high, because of a high weight capacity of fifteen people.

In Asian countries, vans are used for transportation purposes. They are used for local transport in every city of developing countries. The bench seats allow passengers to slide if safety belts are not used. Only front seat passengers use safety belts. However the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has determined that drivers who use seat belts are about four times more likely to survive in rollover crashes. Safety should be followed, and rules about safety in the van must be acknowledged before traveling in ten-to-fifteen passenger van.

If you want to purchase your own van, there are some instructions you must keep in mind to purchase a great model van. It is important to know about the capacity of the engine of van. A more powerful engine will be more fuel efficient. Comfortable seats, a strong body and high- quality tires with long-run capacity are also important points to see before deciding to purchase. It is also very important to look for bumps around the perimeter of the van to see whether other electrical features are working or not. Also, look at the air conditioner and turn signal.

Keep these tips in mind, and you can get a great van for your family. You can see the same qualities that different van manufacturing companies offer in their vans, but there may be differences in their results and the performance of the engine. Also, the most important thing is price, which can differ from company to company. You can purchase vans from Nomad, Chevrolet, Super Carry or you can get a Citroen van or a Dodge. Some famous companies are Toyota, Suzuki, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda, Mitsubishi and Mercedes Benz are making high-quality vans all over the world.

Driving Vans

Driving Vans

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Sustainability Driving Innovation

August 29, 2012 By

Sustainability Driving Innovation

Sustainability is a catalyst for innovation. Companies around the world are serving as functioning models of the evolving relationship between sustainability and innovation. Sustainable innovations are creating new business models, opening up new markets and providing competitive advantages. Sustainable innovation is also improving profitability.

Companies around the world are demonstrating how innovative sustainable practices are bettering their bottom line. Organisations that seek growth must focus on business operations, shareholders, society and the environment simultaneously. Concentrating on any one of these areas at the expense of the other two could undermine long-term success. A focus on sustainability provides the best means to implement this multi-pronged strategy simultaneously, enabling organisations to innovate, differentiate themselves and succeed. Although sustainable practices were once dismissed for being too costly, increasing numbers of companies are coming to the realization that sustainable innovations are a gateway to growth.

Sustainable innovation is also known as eco-innovation, this is a term used to describe products and processes that contribute to sustainable development. Eco-innovation is the commercial application of knowledge to elicit direct or indirect ecological improvements. It is often used to describe a range of related ideas, from environmentally friendly technological advances to socially-acceptable innovative paths towards sustainability.

Eco-innovation requires a workforce that can consider problems from multiple perspectives and that can effectively work in cross-functional teams. For example, experience in chemistry and physics is required to tackle things like photovoltaics, polymers and greener chemical production.

Sustainable innovation offers businesses an increasingly important competitive advantage and an integrative approach to innovation often yields the best results. For an integrative approach, research and development need to encompass the entire life cycle, and this information needs to be continuously shared among the various work groups. Green innovation is about maintaining a sustainable focus and this requires continuous project evaluation from idea to commercialization. It is important to ensure that each phase creates a feedback loop that continually informs decision-making.

The common business basics of location, capital construction, and equipment considerations, need to be viewed from a sustainability perspective. Green innovation is a significant challenge, but an integrative approach increases the possibilities for significant rewards. Developing a sustainable product or process is a complex endeavor with many interrelated concerns. To develop a sustainable product or process, businesses must find ways to assess and reduce their environmental impact.

Sustainable innovation demands ongoing optimization of every aspect of the product or process, including material selection, transportation, manufacturing, energy, product, marketing, distribution, legal, and end-of-life considerations. When evaluating a sustainable product it is important to consider the entire life cycle and employ an integrative approach to innovation. Businesses are increasingly innovating sustainable products and processes. Visionary business leaders who anticipate the winds of change and creatively develop sustainable products and processes will thrive in the rapidly changing economic landscape.

Sustainability Driving Innovation

Sustainability Driving Innovation

Richard Matthews is a consultant, sustainable investor and writer. He is the owner of THE GREEN MARKET, one of the Web’s most comprehensive resources for information and tools on sustainability. He is also the author of numerous articles on sustainable positioning, green investing, enviro-politics and eco-capitalism.

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Powerful Affirmations are a constructive and time-tested way to creating real change that lasts, but unless you have crafted your affirmations correctly to cater for your needs and desires, over time you may not experience the change or results you were looking for. You might have other great methods for making positive change such as goal lists, dream cards, vision boards etc. Though affirmations are by far the ultimate tool to add to your self-growth toolbox. Affirmations take on the role of aligning your desires with your personal beliefs.

When they do become in harmony with one another, manifesting your goals and dreams become virtually effortless. Using affirmations correctly is crucial to making them effective and aligning yourself. If you’re not using them correctly or you feel your affirmations are not working for you could be striking a misalignment. For example. You may have a list of affirmations that you have come up with that you want to start working with in your life. If you find when you are saying your affirmations that you don’t truly believe it, then this can cause misalignment. An easy way to identify a misalignment towards particular affirmations is to take your attention into how you feel when you say them. Is there any feeling of inner conflict or inadequacy? Any uncomfortable feeling in your stomach or chest that disagrees with what you’re saying? If you feel this in any way, this is where you’re causing the misalignment.

You’re saying the Affirmations but your subconscious doesn’t agree or want to believe it yet. Affirmations work tremendously well, as for my own experiences. It’s just a matter of crafting and wording them well. When creating your first set of powerful positive affirmations, there is a simple but one powerful formula you can use. First, identify what’s bothering you and what you want to change. There could be a few you come up with to do with your finances, your health or relationships. The second step is to identify the exact opposite of what you don’t want. For example financial freedom or toned body. Finally, find a word or phrase that sums up its opposite quality. Keep it general and add the words “I am” at the start of the phrase. For a complete example. If you feel you are struggling financially, you may often think ‘poor’ thoughts, sometimes without being aware. Well the opposite of ‘poor’ is clearly ‘wealth’.

So you would make an affirmation where you’re saying “I am wealth”. Once you come up with a few powerful and positive affirmations, it’s important you test them out. When you test your affirmations make sure you feel good and satisfied about yourself. Keep an eye out for any discomfort or inadequacy. It’s sometimes only a matter of changing and searching for the right words till you find something that you are comfortable with. You will know when you’ve found the right word, when you feel comfortable saying your affirmation and it feels true to you. So, referring back to our example. If you say “I am rich” and the word ‘rich’ just doesn’t feel right or bothers in any way, this word is probably not suitable and clashes with you in some way. Try changing it up a little like “I am comfortable and secure in my finances” or “I am financially independent”. Sculpture your affirmations to any area of your life.

Make them powerful and satisfying. If you feel uplifted and smile when you say them, you’ve got it. You can craft affirmations towards anything of material and spiritual, and are very effective. Once you’ve compiled your set of tested affirmations and are happy with them. Get into practice saying them twice a day, but at least once a day. The best time is in the morning just after waking up. This is a great time because your mind is not fully active yet. Between sleep and waking your brain is in Alpha mode, it’s relaxed and you can conduct your affirmations before your thoughts start getting too busy and any kind of negative thought starts. If you are to do it twice a day, which is recommended, especially when you’re first starting out with your affirmations, repeat it like mantra at certain times throughout your day.

Preferably when you’re not to occupied, like when you’re on a break or even whilst driving. Repeating your powerful positive affirmations daily will set your tone, making it set like cement into your mind. The power behind the simple words “I am” can transform your life. You will notice after time that your default way of thinking has altered and any previous conditioning or thoughts about yourself or life has gradually diminished. When you start to notice the difference in your thinking, and notice you are thinking more positively this is a sign that you’re affirmations are working. You’ve aligned your desires with your beliefs. You will start to manifest new and better things out of your new thought patterns. You now have ingrained within your mind, a more dominant positive thinking pattern, with repeated use of powerful positive affirmations.

July 22, 2012 By

The affect of powerful positive thinking can have on your life is tremendous! The Law of Attraction responds to every thought we have, be it positive or negative. Did you know that out of our negative thoughts and emotions we attract negative circumstances? Isn’t it time you eliminate unwanted thought patterns and subconscious beliefs all together? Get my “Finally Getting What You Want” e-course and discover step-by-step how to recognize and eliminate habitual mind patterns that keep you from getting to where you want to be, and how to tap into the Law of Attraction and put your manifestation into higher gear! http://FinallyGettingWhatYouWant.com.

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Truck Driver Jobs – Non-Traditional Recruits Sought For Truck Driving Jobs

May 3, 2012 By

Truck Driver Jobs – Non-Traditional Recruits Sought For Truck Driving Jobs

For many of this country’s largest trucking companies, reducing turnover and retaining truck drivers is a primary ingredient to remaining profitable. The professional truck driver labor pool market is the tightest it has been in 20 years, and the turnover rate at large trucking companies exceeds 100%, according to the American Trucking Association.

Recent statistics indicate the long-haul segment of the trucking industry has a national shortage of 20,000 drivers. It predicts the shortage will increase to 111,000 by the year 2014 given the current demographic trends. A severe shortage of drivers could hurt the U.S. economy. Trucks carry more than 75% of domestic goods we consume on a daily basis, and without enough well trained truck drivers to haul the nation’s products, consumers will be subject to unexpected delays on those items they both want and need. And if the supply/demand ration continues to result in an ongoing shortage, compensation will continue to rise to find and keep good truck driver talent. As a result, we will all see higher prices in everything we purchase.

The trucking industry admits it has a critical problem and has been focusing on new, creative recruiting strategies to enhance the levels of CDL truck driver applicants, and recruit new people into the industry that keeps our national economy moving. To fill the increased demand CDL truck driving jobs, trucking companies and truck driving schools are appealing to demographic groups, such as women, retirees and husband-wife teams, who traditionally have not fit the trucker stereotype. Women are perhaps the fastest-growing group in the field. Since 2002, when only 5% of the nations truck driving jobs were filled by women, most nationally known truck driving schools are experiencing a 50% growth rate in the number of female applicants as compared to men applying for the same positions.

Another employment pool niche that being tapped into to fill some of the truck driver shortage gap are former factory workers. There are now 2.7 million fewer manufacturing jobs in the USA than there were 10 years ago. With factories expected to do little hiring in coming years, many former workers are seeking a new career. Truck driving jobs give these often displaced workers an opportunity to start a new, productive career.

Often times, Individuals with the ability to retire from 20-25 year careers in manufacturing often take advantage of financial assistance programs offered by the government. The bottom line is the government supplies displaced workers with tuition and free cdl training school opportunities. This is a golden labor pool for trucking companies as many of these new found recruits are dependable, reliable and often times in very good health.

Minorities have also become a favorite recruiting target for trucking companies. Well structured programs are producing strong results. One recent training program sponsored by a Latino community organization tracked their results and found 70% of the 50 students who attended these classes found CDL truck driving jobs earning average annual compensation of $47,580.

Good luck in your truck driver job search. Be patient, persistent, expect good results and you will see positive results far sooner than you think!

Truck Driver Jobs – Non-Traditional Recruits Sought For Truck Driving Jobs

Truck Driver Jobs - Non-Traditional Recruits Sought For Truck Driving Jobs

If you found this article worthwhile, you will finde several more highly informative career development articles from our staff including essential strategies to consider when choosing the best truck driving schools and understanding the abc’s of CDL training requirements to land one of premier, high paying CDL truck driving jobs found at one of the top 8 trucking companies in the USA.

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Choosing a Truck Driving Job Part VIII – Talking With the Right People

April 26, 2012 By

Choosing a Truck Driving Job Part VIII – Talking With the Right People

In part one of our series, Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part I: Factors That Effect All Companies, we talked about different factors and considerations which will affect your experience at any company you go to work for.

In part 2, “Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part II: You and “Your People” Are The Most Important Factor”, we talked about surrounding yourself with the right people, understanding factors that affect the freight you’ll be getting, and things you can do to put yourself in the best position to succeed.

In part 3, “Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part III: How Your Family and Lifestyle Will Affect Your Choice”, we considered your personality and lifestyle. Are you married? Do you have children? Do you love adventure? How long would you like to be away from home? These questions all figure into the process of choosing the right truck driving job.

In part 4, “Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part IV: Advantages of Large Trucking Companies”, we of course talked about the advantages of working at a large trucking company.

In part 5, “Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part V: Comparing Large Trucking Companies To Small Ones”, we compared working for companies of different sizes.

In part 6, “Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part VI: Dry Van and Refrigerated Companies”, we talked a little bit about life on the road with a dry van or a refrigerated carrier.

In part 7, “Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part VII: Tankers and Flatbeds” we talked a little bit about life on the road with a flatbed or tanker carrier.

Now, in our final installment of this series, we’ll talk about finding out some good information about any company you are interested in working for.

Getting The Right Information From The Right People

There are three main groups of people that you will be speaking with when you are considering working for a particular trucking company. They are:

The company’s drivers

The company’s mechanics

The company’s recruiters

Knowing each group’s agendas and viewpoints will help you ask the right questions, and interpret the quality of the responses you get.

Speaking With Company Drivers

One of the best ways, in my opinion, to really find out what life is like on the inside of a company you are considering applying to is to talk with some of the drivers and mechanics that work there. It’s simple to do, it’s incredibly effective, it makes perfect sense that a company’s current drivers would know best, and you’re going to be pleasantly surprised at the honesty you’ll get!

Now please be aware of one thing, though….often times, a company will offer a referral bonus to any employee that refers a driver to the company. Often times it’s quite significant…in the area of $500. So when you begin talking with a truck driver or a mechanic, make it perfectly clear that you are looking for an honest opinion, not a sales pitch. If you were looking for propaganda you could simply talk to their recruiting department. If they seem rather persistent about wanting to give you their name and truck number so that they can make money for recruiting you, simply thank them for their time and try to find someone else.

But most of the time you will get a brutally honest opinion. Truck drivers often tend to look out for other truck drivers. We all live the same kind of lives and face the same difficulties, so the last thing we should want to do is make life difficult for one another. I’ve been asked many hundreds of times about my experience working for a particular company. I have never once given out my truck number or name, nor have I ever received a nickel in referral money. Often times guys were so appreciative of my time and honesty that they asked me for the info, knowing I would get paid for the referral, and I politely declined. I told them that there was no way they could be sure I was being honest with them if I knew I was going to get paid to promote my company. I’ve gotten plenty of good advice for free over the years, so I just considered it good karma to give some back.

Make sure you talk to at least five different drivers from any particular trucking company. One or two could just be happy or unhappy with their company at that particular time based on some current events. But if you can get a pretty consistent group of opinions from several different drivers then you know you’ve probably gotten a good feel for the way drivers are being treated at that company. Ask them if they’re getting the mileage they would like to be getting, whether they get home roughly when they are supposed to, and whether or not the trucks are well maintained. That’s the three most important things a company must do well.

Speaking With Company Mechanics

Also, talk to one or two mechanics if you can get the opportunity. And if the company is located too far away to visit in person, don’t be afraid to call the shop! Just tell whoever answers the phone that you’re considering becoming a driver for the company and you’d like to know his opinion on their maintenance program. Ask them if the trucks are well taken care of and especially if their driver’s requests for small things like new wiper blades, faulty mirror heaters, and blown fuses are handled promptly and without debate. If they aren’t taking the time and care to look after the trucks then not only will you be losing a lot of money while unreliable trucks are sitting in the repair shop all the time, but you’ll know that the company’s management really isn’t concerned with the comfort, safety, and happiness of its drivers.

A poor maintenance program is a huge red flag. Stay away from that company. You’ll also be surprised at how often a trucking company’s maintenance guys will be honest with you. The vast majority of mechanics take pride in what they do. They want to do things the right away because the safety and reliability of the equipment they work on is what determines their reputation. If they aren’t being allowed to maintain the equipment properly, they’ll more than likely let you know. It’s their way of defending their reputation, and I don’t blame them. I was a mechanic for Harley Davidson at one point and I felt the same way.

Speaking With Company Recruiters

A recruiter’s job at any trucking company is to get you in the door, period. Once you’ve gotten hired at a company their job is done. Some of them will lie their brains out if it gets them paid…like a used car salesman. Tons of drivers I’ve talked to have been promised new trucks, a spot in certain divisions, big miles, and lots of home time, only to find out they’ve been lied to by the recruiter. What can you do about it if this happens to you? Nothing. Everyone will simply shrug their shoulders and say, “don’t know what to tell ya”.

When it comes to speaking with recruiters, there are some things to be aware of. First of all, be leery of guarantees from a company. The trucking industry is by nature cyclical and unpredictable. If they make promises like “you will be home every Friday by dinnertime”, or “everybody gets home for the holidays”, or “you will get a minimum of 2000 miles per week”, then more than likely you’re being lied to. There are no guarantees in this industry. Factors including weather, fleet size, economic fluctuations, vehicle breakdowns, gaining or losing customers, changes in computer software, changes in dispatching structure, changes in management, and a massive number of other variables all lead to a naturally unpredictable amount of miles and home time from week to week and year to year. You have to go with the flow and understand the dynamics of the industry.

There’s one easy way to test a recruiter – tell them to put it in writing. If they promise you a new truck for instance, tell them to fax it in writing to you with their name on it so that you can bring it to orientation with you. If they’ll do that, then you may actually get what they’ve promised, but I’m not guaranteeing that either. Recruiting can be a dirty process at times, so watch out for promises. Some of them will lie to you if they think they can get away with it.

There will be good weeks and bad weeks, good months and bad months, and even years can fluctuate quite a bit from one to the next. You have to take the good with the bad and try to get a good understanding of the big picture and how all of the different variables will affect your mileage and home time. If a company makes guarantees, they’re often times lying. If they make statements like, “we try to get everyone home on weekends and holidays”, and “you’ll average about 2200 miles per week overall” then you can be pretty sure they’re doing their best to be honest. Just be aware of the personal interests and agendas of the person you are speaking with. Remember, the drivers are the ones that are in demand, so keep in mind that you should be interviewing the company, not just the other way around. If your record is decent, then more than likely they’ll be glad to have you. Just make sure that the job you choose seems like it will fit in with your goals, your personality, and your lifestyle.

Choosing a Truck Driving Job Part VIII – Talking With the Right People

Choosing a Truck Driving Job Part VIII - Talking With the Right People

About The Author
Brett R Aquila
15 Year Truck Driving Veteran
Owner – http://www.truckingtruth.com – the largest, most honest, and informative site on the web for those considering becoming a truck driver. We have tons of resources on our site, including:
Trucking Articles Trucking Driving Blogs From Many Different Authors Truck Driving Schools Free Truck Driving Schools Truck Driver’s Forum Truck Driving Jobs Companies With CDL Training Advice, Tips, and Stories And Much More!
You can even make money with your own blog on TruckingTruth! We have several authors and are always looking for many more! So if you’re considering becoming a truck driver, TruckingTruth is the place to go. You will not be disappointed!

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Will the Car Rental Industry Lose Business With the New Personal Tech Distraction Driving Rules?

February 18, 2012 By

Will the Car Rental Industry Lose Business With the New Personal Tech Distraction Driving Rules?

A Department of Transportation study was published, which had been written and researched years ago; it warned of the deadly problems concerning personal tech devices that people use while driving. In a report the statistics actually showed that using personal tech devices, such as text messaging, and PDAs, or while searching cell phone databases for information was more dangerous and could cause more accidents than even drunk driving.

That revelation was astounding, but it didn’t surprise the numerous people who have lost family members because someone wasn’t paying attention to the road while using a personal tech device. Not long ago, the state of California made a law that you are not allowed to text message while driving.

Of course that’s an obvious one and it’s almost as if people should know better than to do that anyway. Especially after a commuter train missed a signal light and ran into a cargo train killing over 30 people in Los Angeles. Still, one has to ask if these new laws that prevent people from using personal tech devices, cell phones, PDAs, and text messaging devices will hurt other industries, which industries you ask?

Well, what about cell phone companies because if people are not allowed to use their cell phone while driving the cell phone companies will have less business. What about ambulance services, fewer traffic accidents mean fewer people will need to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Tow companies also will lose business because fewer people will be crashing their cars and therefore fewer people will need to rent cars from rental car agencies as well.

In fact, this topic actually came up recently at a Rent-A-Car Industry trade show. Think about it and please consider all this.

Will the Car Rental Industry Lose Business With the New Personal Tech Distraction Driving Rules?

Will the Car Rental Industry Lose Business With the New Personal Tech Distraction Driving Rules?

Lance Winslow is a retired franchisor – Lance Winslow’s Bio. Lance Winslow is formerly the CEO of WashGuys family of franchises for instance one of Lance Winslow’s favorite companies on the team; http://www.windowwashguys.com/links.shtml/.

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Uncover the Driving Experience of a Compact SUV and Luxury 4×4

February 11, 2012 By

Uncover the Driving Experience of a Compact SUV and Luxury 4×4

Compact sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and luxury 4×4 vehicles can offer a wonderful driving experience. These vehicles combine the features of small to midsize cars with the advantages of larger vehicles. They thus represent an amalgam of hybrid that make them useful, versatile, stylish, and just plain fun. The following are some of the driving advantages of these vehicles:

Passenger Room and Cargo Space

Even a compact SUV generally has more space than an ordinary car. They are designed with extra space in mind. This applies both to passenger space in terms of leg room, head room, and general manoeuvrability within the vehicle and to cargo space. It is usually easier to stash large items in an SUV thanks to the generally spacious design. This can be great for people outward bound type of travel in which sports equipment such as backpacks, skis, snowboards, surf boards, and so on play a part. It can also be helpful for chores like moving furniture or hauling junk.

General Handling

Though some concerns have been raised about an increased potentiality for SUVs to tip over as compared with cars, on the whole today’s SUVs are quite safe and handle well on a variety of road conditions. The abilities of SUVs and luxury 4x4s in off road travel (as discussed a bit further below) far outweigh those of regular cars. The general handling will vary with particular models but SUVs are agile and high performance autos that often have impressive specs. Driving them can be a lot of fun from a simple road handling perspective.

Off Road Capability

The off road capability of SUVs, particularly those that have “4×4″ or four wheel drive capability, is one of their chief advantages over cars. They are built to be further off the ground than other vehicles and thus able to navigate rough terrain without damaging the undercarriage. If they do have four wheel drive capability, this greatly increases their traction and ability to extricate themselves from adverse off road conditions like mud, brush, and snow. The experience of being able to cruise through rough terrain and be relatively certain that there will be no trouble is a great one in itself.

Another way to think about off road capability is that man SUVs are large enough to sleep in comfortably, or at least more comfortably than a car would be. So as camping vehicles and alternatives to traditional large and relatively clumsy vans and campers, SUVs are often very useful. They have more versatility and lightness than these large behemoths and yet still offer room, convenience, and “sleep ability.”

Stylishness

A compact SUV usually is stylish and trendy. They tend to suggest that the driver has an active lifestyle and likes to get out do things. Whether these things are actual sports and outdoor activity like camping, skiing, hiking, bungee jumping, mountaineering, and so on or are simply a tendency to travel, an SUV shows that enterprising style. When combined with luxury design these vehicles really are a stylish, sophisticated, and yet adventurous way to go.

Gas Mileage

True, concerns have been raised about SUVs being gas guzzlers. While it may be true that they do not quite get the mileage of smaller cars geared for top fuel consumption, today’s SUVs are often quite competitive as far as their mpg. It is not uncommon for them to get 25 to 30 highway miles per gallon and 20 to 25 in the city. This is nothing to scoff at – there are many cars that do not do as well.

Overall, then, driving a compact SUV or luxury 4X4 can be a convenient, adventurous, and stylish experience all around. These vehicles have evolved in sophistication and fuel economy just as other automobiles have, and they are now more road and off road ready than ever before. In purchasing one, buyers should consider their sports interests, travel requirements, work vehicle requirements, and of course budget. SUVs are lots of fun and many drivers think they are some of the best autos available.

Uncover the Driving Experience of a Compact SUV and Luxury 4×4

Uncover the Driving Experience of a Compact SUV and Luxury 4x4

Hugh McInnes loves to drive his compact SUV, but he also finds exhilarating the idea of driving a luxury 4×4, with a different style, but also perfect for off road experiences.

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Driving and Mobile/Cell Phones Do Not Mix

February 3, 2012 By

Driving and Mobile/Cell Phones Do Not Mix

Drinking & Driving, and the use of mobile phones while Driving is a lethal combination that will ultimately end in Disaster…! Being a HGV driver for 30 years, I have seen countless accidents and injuries, I have seen firsthand the Mayhem and devastation drink driving, and using Mobile/Cell Phone while driving leaves behind; Very often with horrific consequences.

One incident in particular will haunt me forever; was the result of a young woman Texting on her phone when driving. A bright young 19-year-old girl, who had just passed her driving test 6 months earlier; she and her three best friends were out for a shopping spree one sunny Saturday afternoon. Only she is wearing her seat belt? The night before she had a row with her boyfriend and she was telling her mates about it, as they are driving along.

With a little playful friendly persuasion from her mates, she decides to send him a text message to tell him what she thinks about his behavior last night. The girls are in good spirits and just want to wind him up a little…!

As they drive along the dual-carriageway, an Inner-City ring road, with no separation barrier; {just white lines} at around 40 mph the driver, the bright young 19 year olds full attention is on her text message to her boyfriend. Her mates are so engrossed as to what she is texting (they are all trying to see what she has written), she is still driving along at 40 mph. Her car veers off course and into the path of the oncoming traffic. As she looks up from her phone “BANG” head-on with the car traveling in the opposite direction.

It turns into a seven car pile-up with 5 people dead, including one of her best mates; a young mother, {just married} her 6 month old baby girl, and an elderly couple caught up in the carnage, another of her mates lost her leg; was also blinded in one eye, and suffered horrific facial scaring and the untold heartache that all involved will suffer. The bright 19-year-old escaped with minor cuts and bruises, and had to live the rest of her life with the total devastation she had caused, all because of a silly text message on her mobile phone!

Still think it’s a good idea to use a mobile phone when driving? Please people be sensible; I don’t want the next casualty to be you; or any of your loved ones.

Driving and Mobile/Cell Phones Do Not Mix

Driving and Mobile/Cell Phones Do Not Mix

Michael.

Information for everyone, who is in the habit of “using mobile phones” while driving!

Please; Ladies & Gentlemen, Don’t let the devestation of this magnitude blight your life or that of friends and loved ones.

It is not just the cost of the text message that you could end up paying for?

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Truck Driving Jobs Are Not For Everyone But Trucking is a Great Career For the Right Person

January 27, 2012 By

Truck Driving Jobs Are Not For Everyone But Trucking is a Great Career For the Right Person

Truck driving jobs are still plentiful despite the economy. People have in their minds a certain image of the average trucker. They think truckers are driving because they can’t do anything else. This also implies that anyone could become a professional truck driver.

You may be reading this saying, “Well, anyone can get a truck driving job”.

I beg to differ. Many, certainly can get their CDL license and then jump behind the wheel of a big truck but they will never become a professional truck driver. They won’t be able to turn it into a successful career because they will be on the road disgusted.

Where are there bad truck drivers on the road that are not professionals? Too many drivers get on the big road without asking enough questions about becoming a trucker. They don’t realize how taxing it is on family life until they become truckers out on the road away from home for weeks.

They didn’t know that there were so many uncontrollable situations that easily turns stressful on a bad day. They didn’t realize along with the travel and site seeing there was also breakdowns and unexpected detours. Some people become truckers before they realize they would have to deal with four wheelers who seems to care little about safety on the highway or just don’t understand. Drivers also find that it is expensive on the road if they don’t plan ahead for being on the road. Spend in the truck stops every day will eat up a paycheck, then of course what’s the point.

These types of truck drivers usually make bad drivers and don’t last long on the big road before they leave to do an easier job. This is one of the reasons that there is always a need for truck drivers. This is fine and desirable, we need drivers out here who love trucking. Anytime a person is not enjoying their job or if the job is causing problems for them they are better off doing something else.

Why would someone take a truck driving job?

People become professional driver for many reasons, some want to get paid as they travel but they understand that it is a job first so they are happy. Some choose trucking to escape a negative environment. Many truckers were introduced to trucking at a young age by a father or uncle or grandfather and knew from that very point in time they wanted to become a trucker driver. Some people become drivers simply to experience the adventure. Often a person will retire from another career such as military, or police officer and take a job as a driver. Some people change careers from an even more stressful jobs. I have met a Doctor, Lawyer and Accountant who switched to trucking. Some become truckers because of the potential to make good money with benefits.

It’s truly unbelievable how diverse the background of drivers are and the reasons they decide to drive. Any reason is fine for the person who knows what he or she is getting into.

Ok, so what are some things that should be taken into consideration before taking a truck driving job?

The candidate for the open road should be self reliant and responsible. He must be disciplined and dependable. Drivers need to be on time to pick up and deliver their loads. How else will goods show up on shelves when they are supposed to?

The right person means that if family is involved they must also be of a certain type for having a trucking parent and or spouse over the road and be happy. It is not a decision that the potential driver should make alone. Before taking a truck driving job there should be serious discussion. Also, proper care must be taken to ensure that the stay at home spouse can handle all the business.

You can’t guarantee that you will make it back by certain dates to handle things. Yes, this also mean you can’t guarantee that you will make it home for some of your kids important events. Relax, you won’t miss all of the events if you plan ahead and keep your dispatcher clued in but your definitely won’t make them all.

How do you find the best truck driving job to suit you?

First remember the phrase, best truck driving job to suit you. There is no perfect job or trucking company. (Just like there is no perfect driver, yes me included!)

One of the best ways to get the information you need to determine if trucking is for you and choosing the right company is to visit your nearest truck stop. There are a dozen or more trucking magazines there that lists companies and their profiles. These are nice to get a general idea of who to contact and use for comparison of benefits, wages, traffic lanes (this is the area that a carrier commonly travels). You will see that a lot of companies only hire in certain areas. (This is good for both of you)

After identifying a selection of companies you like, get your pad call them and ask them questions like -

-How often will you get home?

-How many days will you get off when you do get home?

-Ask about benefits you need. (People have different insurance requirements, etc)

-Find out if they have a rider program if that is important to you. Not every company allows riders.

-Ask about the pay structure, including how much you can expect the first year. (Some of the figures you see in the magazines are based on achieving bonuses, raises, performance, etc. Also, they may not be the pay for the first year of trucking)

-See if they will allow you to carry a dog if you plan to have a dog. Not all companies will allow that or some will allow it and charge you.

After talking to the companies about the truck driving job, this will usually be the recruiter, go back to the truck stop and see if you can spot drivers for that company. (Of course, the smaller the company, the harder this will be to accomplish). Ask the drivers the same questions you asked the company to see how closely his answers match the recruiters.

This will give you a more accurate information about home time. How the company will handle certain situations, pay raises and other things that some companies may not be completely forthright about.

Cruising the internet may also help you narrow down choices of companies. Also keep in mind, there are many types of truck driving jobs, ranging from dump trucks to heavy hauling and hauling anything in between. While your on the internet and while talking to drivers

Be sure you consider what it means to be away from home 2 or 3 weeks at a time before deciding you want to become a trucker. I always recommend that a person pretend he or she is gone away from the home for 3 weeks and let the spouse handle everything in the home just as she would if you were gone.

This will help insure you didn’t forget to cover something before you leave away from home on the big road.

Truck driving jobs are a solid career path with lots of potential for growth. You can buy a truck, buy several trucks (You must find top quality drivers if you do this) and lease on to a company or get your own authority. You could develop relationships and establish contacts while your driving so that you can build your trucking company with your own contracts.

There are many other arrangements and opportunities in trucking just remember, trucking is far more than a job, trucking is a lifestyle. The entire family lives a certain way because of a parent and/or spouse become a trucker.

Now, if I haven’t scared you away, good luck if you so desire to take on one of the many truck driving jobs around the country. I hope to see you out here one day on the big road.

Truck Driving Jobs Are Not For Everyone But Trucking is a Great Career For the Right Person

Truck Driving Jobs Are Not For Everyone But Trucking is a Great Career For the Right Person

Hi my name is Hervy.
I have been driving for over 10 years in excess of 1,000,000 miles all across this great country.

If you need more in depth information about becoming a trucker or about the many different types of truck driving jobs feel free to visit my website Life as a trucker.

http://www.lifeasatrucker.com

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