Since 1962 Tom Camp has been driving a UPS truck. He’s 77. In Sunday’s New York Times “Vocations” section, Tom was highlighted for having the safest driving record in UPS history:
- 55 years
- 1+ million miles
- 0 crashes
He attributes his safety record to UPS’s great training and accountability. I’m giving credit to Tom and his job love. Tom offered the following tips for success behind the wheel. We can easily apply his common sense for our own success in life.
- Scan the big picture. Keep your eyes moving. We often fixate on details and miss context. Being aware of the changing landscape allows us to make better decisions.
- When the light turns green, count 1-2-3 before moving. If we pause to count in any situation, we can take action deliberately, not emotionally.
- Check the mirrors. We all have blind spots, and moving forward without looking for them only limits our potential.
- Let erratic drivers pass. We can’t change people, but we can protect ourselves.
- Keep your mind focused. It’s dangerous to drive on the road or go through life while staring at a screen. Being present gives us the power to choose our next steps purposefully.
- If there’s rain, snow, or sleet, slow down. We can’t control change; we can only adapt, adjust, and persevere accordingly.
- Assume the other guy is daydreaming. Other people do not perceive the world as we do, and assuming they do fuels miscommunications, conflict, and altercations.
- Use your turn signal. When we communicate our intentions and expectations, we engender trust and strengthen relationships.
Tom doesn’t just have a safe driving record. He has job love: pride, purpose, and meaning from doing his job in a way that makes a difference.
Safe driving and job love… two things we could all use more of.
