You can teach someone to shift gears, back into a dock, or run a logbook. But you can’t teach attitude. Attitude is what separates the professionals from the “steering wheel holders.” It shapes how you handle stress, how dispatch sees you, how shippers treat you, and even how much money you make. After 47 years behind the wheel, I can say without a doubt: attitude is everything in trucking.
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8.1 How does a driver’s attitude affect success in trucking?
Your attitude is your reputation on wheels. A positive, professional outlook makes dispatchers more willing to work with you, customers more likely to respect you, and other drivers more likely to lend a hand when you need it.
A bad attitude — complaining, blaming, cutting corners — spreads fast. Before long, you’ll be the driver nobody wants to deal with, and you’ll get the worst loads because nobody trusts you with the good ones.
In trucking, opportunities don’t just come from miles — they come from the relationships you build. And those relationships are built on attitude.
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8.2 What’s the difference between a professional driver and a steering wheel holder?
A professional driver takes pride in the job. He or she:
Knows the regulations and follows them.
Keeps the truck and paperwork in order.
Shows up on time, communicates clearly, and represents the company well.
Treats trucking as a career, not just a paycheck.
A steering wheel holder? That’s the driver who just points the truck down the road and does the bare minimum. They don’t care about the customer, the company, or even their own reputation. They often have sloppy logs, poor equipment care, and an “I don’t care” attitude that drags the whole industry down.
The difference is night and day — and it shows in how long a driver lasts in this business.
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8.3 How can you keep a positive mindset in a tough industry?
Trucking will test you. Long hours, tight schedules, bad weather, traffic, breakdowns — it’s easy to get bitter. The secret is learning to control what you can and let go of what you can’t.
Here’s what worked for me:
Focus on the goal. For me, it was always: get the week over, get home safe, provide for my family.
Don’t dwell on dispatch or traffic. Complaining doesn’t change it — it just eats your energy.
Stay professional. Even if others aren’t, carry yourself like you belong. That earns respect over time.
Take care of yourself. A tired, unhealthy driver will always have a negative outlook. Rest, eat better, and move a little each day.
> “You can’t control the load, the weather, or the traffic — but you can control your attitude.”
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Closing Thoughts
Attitude is the one thing every driver controls, no matter what. It costs nothing, but it can earn you everything. A good attitude gets you respect, better loads, stronger relationships, and a longer, more rewarding career.
Trucking isn’t easy, but if you face it with the right mindset, it becomes more than a job — it becomes something you can be proud of.
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