Pt. 2 of 30 Lessons Learned From 30,000 Trips

Join RSG contributor Jay as he shares what he has learned from 30,000 trips as a rideshare driver.

See our previous email for lessons 1-14.

#15 – #18 Enjoy The Moments: Special conversations

Sometimes, and it does not happen often, we drivers can experience a conversation that will impact us profoundly.

Driving someone to a funeral, driving someone to a job interview, and driving someone to work at 4 AM are moments to be inspired, educated, and awed.

While you’re at it, learn to enjoy these other tender moments:

• Sunrises

• Sunsets

• Animals

#19 Improve Yourself

You rarely can work a job and have many opportunities to learn, grow, get educated, and laugh. Audible books and podcasts make this a reality for rideshare drivers.

Here are some of the podcasts that I listen to between rides:

#20 Don’t Drive Dog Tired

Back between 2016 and 2019, I regularly drove 10 hours a day. Some weeks, I would work seven days a week.

Looking back, I was careless.

I was lucky and never had an accident. But now, I can feel when I need to stop. It’s usually at the six-hour mark.

When I drive tired, I am not a pleasant driver. Not only does my ability to drive safely suffer but so does my attitude toward passengers. When you are exhausted, stop.

#21 Use Destination Filters To Manage Your Time

When Uber and Lyft launched destination filters, they were such a blessing. Before destination filters, getting home was a challenge.

I had to turn off the app and go home. There was no certainty of getting a ride toward my house.

We only knew the destination once we started the ride with the passenger in the car. I use the destination filters anytime I am a long way from home and when I am ready to end the driving day. I use the Uber and Lyft filters at the same time.

#22 Drive With A Purpose

I have found it valuable to have a reason for driving. At first, my purpose was to make good money and travel.

Then, it became a way to fund my next business venture. And now rideshare driving is a way to get out of the house and interact with human beings in person rather than through a screen.

#23 Carry The Bare Essentials

I always have a spare phone charger and tissue. That’s it. Over time, that is all I need.

#24 Feed The Ducks

Sometimes, I need a break. My old sales manager would often tell me to feed the ducks. He meant to stop, take some time, and enjoy myself. If I just had a lousy interaction with a passenger, instead of feeling bad, I would take a break and relax.

Reset. Revive. Begin again.

#25 Put Your Ego In Check

Always make your passengers feel superior to you. In the past, a passenger would talk about a vacation, and I would share my experiences, which were often better. That made the passenger feel less good.

There were no tips. I should listen, be enthusiastic, and cool my jets.

#26 Be Grateful

I appreciate the opportunity to work and get paid, and I don’t have a boss. It is good to remind myself of this often.

#27 Learn From Your Passengers

I have learned so much from my passengers. Lately, I have been learning more and more about Alzheimer’s from passengers who work in Memory Care units.

In addition, I have been struck by how hard people work and the challenges we face as Americans. Every passenger has a lesson to teach me.

#28 Set A Specific Attainable Goal Each Day

This is something I always do. It pushes me to be my best. Typically, I strive to earn $150 per day. Ideally, this takes five hours.

Above, you can see I achieved my goal. Rarely do I stop driving until I have reached my goal. Some days, it may take me four and a half hours, and some days, it may take six hours. Regardless, it feels good to achieve a goal before heading home.

#29 There Is No Value In Complaining

It is easy to bitch and moan about how bad the rideshare industry has been to drivers. Gone are $500 a week bonuses. Gone are time and distance payment structures. I get it. There is a lot that seems unfair to drivers.

My lesson is that I need to look at the benefits and be grateful for the opportunity. I have learned to adjust and adapt to the changing environment. Regardless of what happens, there is always something for which drivers can feel grateful.

For example, I feel thankful for The Rideshare Guy. How cool that we have this community to share. I am also grateful for the extra $300 a weekend I can earn while wholeheartedly enjoying myself. Life works best when I feel thankful!

#30 Get To Work On Your Plan B

For most of us, driving is a short-term career goal. It is something we can do while we are working on something else.

My main gig is now day trading. It has been for the past two years. Above, you can see my logo for a new coaching business I am creating to help people learn to day trade from home on their laptops with very little investment.

What is your Plan B? How can you use your money as a driver to further your bigger life goals? As soon as possible, turn your Plan B into your Plan A.

Recent podcast episode

RSG260 - Blind Rideshare Passenger Shares Her Riding Experience
Listen + Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! 

Key Takeaways

If I lived to be 82 years old, I would have lived 30,000 days. That puts my number of trips into perspective. Will I hit 40,000? No way.

Next year, I plan to live outside the country more permanently, so driving won’t be possible. I will miss it. I will probably drive every once in a while when I return to the United States.

However, for now, I will keep moving on the weekends because it is good for my mental health. It’s good to get out and interact with other human beings, especially now when so many people bury themselves in their smartphones.

Drive on! And be safe out there.

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