Quote:
Originally Posted by NHHunter
I failed my state test twice so far. Its not lack of skill, the test is very easy. I should be able to do it blind folded. My problem is, I am so nervous when I take the test....really bad! I am in the truck shaking like a leaf. Everyone says I need to relax, I know this....but how???? Failing twice has got me reeling and I will be even more nervous next time. Any advice?
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Wow!! This is a TOUGH one! I was going to suggest the underwear thing, but someone beat me to it! :lol:
The Nascar approach has worked for MANY people in many similar situations.
Personally, I have only two suggestions:
ONE is to picture yourself 6 months down the road, in total control of your vehicle, and making money (like the rest of us!) See yourself as the "supertrucker" that we all joke about! If, indeed, you DO know the stuff.... then you are already THERE!!
The SECOND is to give up! I've said many times that trucking is NOT for WUSSES!!! If you're a WUSS.... then you don't need to be driving a truck! IMHO, there are two kinds of drivers.
One who just barely keeps from KILLING someone, because he's so cautious he "micromanages" every step of his journey. These guys usually slip up and hit a light pole or something and end their career!
The OTHER kind of driver is the CONFIDENT one. He KNOWS that if anyone ELSE can do this.... HE can! He is not "reckless," but he is self-assured! He knows when he gets up in the morning, that nothing is BIGGER than HIM.... or his task. He MAY hit something (though I doubt it,) but it won't be for lack of trying!
If I call you a WUSS a few more times, will it make you mad enough at me that you will be "driven" to prove me wrong?? I HOPE so!!
Consider the "tester" as a ride-along! A parent or girlfriend or something! YOU are the one who knows what you are doing, and you are going to SHOW them how good you are at it! Their opinion means SQUAT!!
THIS is the way you are gonna drive your truck once free of all this B.S., and THEY are just lucky they got to see you DO IT!!
If, as you say, you KNOW your stuff.... this is the time to show it! It doesn't have to be PERFECT! It just has to be comfortable to YOU! Pretend you are "under dispatch," and this is your 100th load! You've been doing this ALL your life! :wink:
(Seriously... you get more positive points for "correcting" a mistake than you get negative ones for making it!! They are REALLY testing your
APTITUDE... not your execution!)
DON'T drink any coffee before your test! The adrenalin will MORE than keep you focused! But, remember.... this is JUST another day in your future life! Have you failed at anything you ever did in your PAST life??
Keep your mind on what
YOU are doing.... and FORGET about the tester and any marks he's making on a piece of paper! They are
NOT all negative! Many are POSITIVE points for YOU! And, believe it or not.... he/she is on YOUR side!
Now.... are you gonna DO IT??? Or are you gonna WUSS out???
I don't think you can DO it!!! Are you gonna prove me RIGHT or WRONG??? :shock: :roll: