Sunday 28 January 2018

Keep calm and carry on.

                           


Driving a bus can be the most rewarding job when you  choose the right mental attitude and stay within a positive mind set. It is true to also say that driving a bus can be, at times, a difficult and demanding  job which is why it is good practice to stay calm in certain circumstances.  When we find ourselves in   challenging moments, when everything and everyone seems to be against us,  we need to take a moment and use our skills.


Let's look at some tips for keeping calm during those difficult moments:

  1. Communication

  2. People Skills & experience

  3. Other drivers' behaviour

  4. Look at the bigger picture

  5. Don't react negatively.

 

We are professional drivers, carrying important customers; who are trusting us to get them to their location comfortably and safely. I recently spoke to a colleague and coached them to think in the value of their job. Without the role of a bus driver our society would struggle, as the teacher or nurse  may not get to work, the patient wouldn't get  their treatment or someone would miss out on important learning time. Also, the student wouldn't get to their lecture on time. So many individuals rely on us to provide solutions and keep our communities prospering. If you aim for a positive mindset then I guarantee your day to day job role will feel valued and you will have a sense of pride- that you have contributed to many peoples' lives in a positive and safe manner.

This week, I am in Hadleigh on Thursday 1st and Monday 5th February. I will be available for the Clacton run out please speak to me about.








Tuesday 9 January 2018

25 hours in a day

Wow, what a Christmas and New Year that was, friends, family and pets  all wanting valuable time.  Time that if not given, can create a feeling of guilt and within a blink of an eye it's all over and gone. Time is probably one  of the most important aspects of our home and working lives. We all value it so highly that if we don't utilize it, important things can go amiss.

The work life balance, that we all strive for, is key to leading a happy and satisfied lifestyle. I recently have had to coach my son as he's was not finding the correct balance. It's GCSE year so he wants to do well, and rightly so, yet he continues his hard work ethic well  into the night; revising, studying and recapping. Plenty of his mentors have pointed this out to him; the possibility of burnout if he continues. The good news is he can be shaped and put back on track by simple time management which is now working.   He's actually now got his first ever Saturday job which gives him a break from his studies.  He has to work as part of a large team now and understands that the part he plays is valuable. He also gets to see life from different angles.

Time Management key points:

  • Structure and plan well ahead of your working week
  • Stick to the rules
  • Set achievable targets never over stretch
  • Plan effective rest time
  • This all creates positive thinking and leads to a happier life style.


The brain needs to have rest time, it's proven that by having regular breaks you actually achieve a far better result than if you push yourself too much.

I wonder how many of us remember the old 'a Mars a Day' Catchphrase which was 'Work, Rest and Play'.

Throughout January I will be supporting Essex colleagues at all levels during my visits.