Being Helpful

Being Helpful

A friend and I recently had a conversation about how our co-drivers help us while out on the road. More specifically, we talked about women going through "the change" while also trying to be away from home. She asked me to write a blog about the subject. I only hope that this is not too personal or embarrassing for the men (and women) reading it.

How often do we help each other when we are struggling? Guys, what do you do to help your female co-driver when she is having a hot flash or loses her cool? My friend said that her husband will turn the air conditioner cooler when he sees her show signs of going through a hot flash. When she gets cranky, he might just let her alone to calm down. What other things can men do to help their counterparts get through a very challenging point in their lives.

Women, what do you do to help your man to get through a difficult time? Do you help them to understand what you are going through? I wish I could say that I was helpful. I know that I am not. What do we as women do to help men get through their own challenges? Are we compassionate? Are we understanding? Again, I hate to admit that I am none of those things.

What can we do to support each other? Maybe all it takes is turning the air conditioner cooler when we are hot. If it means that we have to put on an extra layer to stay comfortable, then that is what it takes. Sometimes being helpful means keeping quiet or staying out of the way. Other times being helpful might look like doing something that we are not comfortable doing,

Usually, a business requires people with different skill sets to make it successful. When a business is just getting started the owner(s) need to wear many hats. Once the business is bringing in enough money the owner(s) can hire others to do the things that they are not comfortable or good at doing. This is how a business grows. However, for many of us in the trucking business all we have are ourselves if we are solo drivers or a co-driver if we are a team. Our little businesses require us to help each other with all aspects of keeping our little business running and profitable. This might mean that I have to help with maintaining the truck while Dave has to remember to turn in receipts. No matter what is needed we each have to step up and help one another.

Here's to millions of safe, profitable and HELPFUL miles.

Kelly Plumb