Drawing the Line: Key Lessons Rideshare Drivers Can Learn from the TV Show "Severance"

Join Senior RSG Contributor Jay as he shares lessons rideshare drivers can learn from “Severance.”

Have you seen it?

The show on Apple TV+ called “Severance?”

I watched the first season back in 2022. Recently, Season 2 concluded with one of the best season finales I can recall.

It is unlike any show I have seen.

It is unique and thought-provoking. I love talking about it with my daughter. I even enjoy listening to several podcasts that break down each episode. One podcast features Ben Stiller, the principal director, and Adam Scott, whom I remember most from the movie “Step Brothers.” They dissect scenes from the previous week’s episode.

The basic premise of the TV show is that a company called Lumon has created a process where individuals get a chip inserted into their heads. When they go to work, all memories from their personal lives are erased, creating two separate identities. They have an “innie,” who exists only at work, and an “outie,” who lives the rest of their life outside of work.

“Severance” raises critical questions and clearly illustrates the importance and consequences of setting boundaries between work and personal life. As rideshare drivers, blurring these lines can lead to burnout. Establishing a clear separation helps maintain balance, motivation, and long-term profitability.

5 Rideshare Lessons Drivers Can Learn From “Severance”

To recap, in “Severance,” characters undergo a procedure separating their work memories from personal memories, highlighting the allure and danger of completely severing the two.

While drivers do not literally sever memories, clear work-life boundaries remain essential for sustainable success. Using this television show as a framework, we can learn valuable lessons as rideshare drivers.

What are these lessons, and how can we apply them to improve our lives and careers?

1. Clearly Define Work Hours

One thing is clear in “Severance.” There is a bright line of distinction between work life and home life. The severed employees do not consider working on weekends or taking work home.

They work Monday through Friday from 9 to 5.

This is a valuable lesson for rideshare drivers. 

Establishing fixed driving hours each week and treating them as a regular job schedule helps maintain productivity without overextending yourself or burning out. Early in my career, I drove excessively.

Once, I worked seven straight days of twelve-hour shifts. That is too much work and not enough work-life balance, which does not lead to a balanced, sustainable career.

When drivers maintain their schedules, their passengers also benefit. Passengers appreciate drivers who are alert, energized, and focused. Predictable hours increase earnings because your service quality improves, and tips increase.

Defining precise and easy work hours creates stability in your career and allows you to enjoy personal time without guilt or stress.

2. Establish Clear Communication Boundaries

It is essential to define your availability to friends and family when driving. 

Clear communication boundaries are vividly emphasized in “Severance,” reminding us of the importance of delineating our roles. As a rideshare passenger, I am uncomfortable and disturbed when drivers take personal calls during rides.

It is both rude and unsafe.

I always, always!, avoid personal conversations while driving for Uber or Lyft. Instead, if I get a call, I send a quick text message that says, “with a passenger.” Everyone knows this means I am unavailable. This simple practice prevents distractions, improves safety, and enhances passenger satisfaction.

Clear boundaries help ensure your passengers receive your full attention. Distractions reduce safety and lower ratings. By protecting your focus, you maintain high-quality service. Good communication practices benefit you, your passengers, and your relationships, creating a healthier and more profitable driving experience.

3. Prioritize Self-Care Outside Driving Hours

Taking care of yourself outside of driving hours is essential for long-term success. 

“Severance” highlights the dangers of neglecting personal fulfillment beyond work.

My “outie” has a disciplined morning routine, including coffee, working out, sauna, cold plunge, and meditation. These practices ensure I am physically and mentally prepared for the day. Prioritizing self-care outside driving hours helps sustain energy, prevent burnout, and ensure I remain profitable and healthy.

Regular self-care enhances your overall driving performance. Passengers quickly notice if you are rested and engaged. Maintaining excellent personal care routines directly impacts ratings and tips. Investing in your well-being translates to higher earnings and a more satisfying driving experience.

4. Create Physical and Mental Transitions

Establishing routines or rituals before and after driving shifts helps create necessary mental transitions. 

In my recent weekend driving video, viewers saw that I always wear the same clothes and drink the same coffee from the same cup each morning I drive. These actions signal to my mind that it is time to work. Physical rituals prepare you mentally, improving focus and readiness for a successful day of driving.

Similarly, after finishing your driving shift, another routine helps you mentally disconnect from work. For me, the end-of-shift ritual is to cash out, eat, and take a hot shower. A ritual like this tells your mind the workday is complete, reducing stress and anxiety.

The clarity you gain from these mental transitions improves driving quality, passenger satisfaction, and overall earnings.

5. Establish Personal Boundaries with Passengers

Professionalism is critical in rideshare driving. “Severance” teaches the importance of boundaries within professional roles.

Drivers should keep conversations friendly but avoid overly personal or divisive topics. Early in my rideshare career, I learned to avoid discussions about politics, religion, and sex. 

Maintaining professional boundaries creates a comfortable environment for passengers and reduces the risk of uncomfortable situations that negatively affect ratings and tips.

By controlling the tone of each ride, you can significantly enhance passenger satisfaction. Clear personal boundaries help you manage interactions effectively. Positive passenger experiences lead to repeat business, higher ratings, and better tips, ensuring your long-term success as a driver.

Insights from Observers

“Severance” has sparked powerful commentary regarding work-life balance. Critic Emily St. James writes, “Severance is a cautionary tale about the importance of boundaries. Without them, life and work collide destructively.”

This reinforces the necessity of clear boundaries in a driving career. Reviewer Alan Sepinwall similarly notes, “The show’s brilliance lies in how clearly it illustrates the high cost of losing oneself in work.”

Rideshare drivers must protect their identities and energies, using lessons from “Severance” to maintain healthy boundaries.

Key Takeaways

Maintaining healthy boundaries inspired by “Severance” allows rideshare drivers to preserve work-life balance, avoid burnout, and foster professional passenger relationships effectively.

Clearly defined work hours, communication boundaries, dedicated self-care, mindful transitions, and passenger management form the foundations for long-term success. By applying these strategies, rideshare driving can be personally fulfilling and financially rewarding.

Sometimes, we set big goals or simply want to throw all our energies into driving, but in the long run, these urges often lead to sickness, accidents, and a life that is severely out of balance. Finding the balance is a job we are all constantly working toward.

My biggest key takeaway is to “Watch Severance” and prepare to be entertained and challenged.

Be safe out there on the road.

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